http://www.ftc.gov/rss/text/prall.xml Speeches, news, and information from the Federal Trade Commission. The FTC works for consumers to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop, and avoid them. The FTC's Bureau of Competition seeks to prevent business practices that restrain competition. http://www.ftc.gov/images/seal01c.gif en-us Federal Government Tuesday, 22 July 2008 16:00:00 +0000 Tuesday, 22 July 2008 16:00:00 +0000 First Public Meeting Scheduled for July 29-30, 2008, in Washington, DC http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2008/07/ftcat100.shtm Tuesday, 22 July 2008 11:00:00 +0000 The Federal Trade Commission and the California Office of Privacy Protection will co-host a half-day public workshop in Los Angeles on Wednesday, August 13, 2008, on how businesses can secure personal information and protect the privacy of consumers and employees. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2008/07/datasec.shtm Tuesday, 22 July 2008 11:00:00 +0000 Commission denial of petition from jewelry industry trade associations - The Commission has denied a petition submitted by the Jewelers Vigilance Committee (JVC) and 10 other jewelry industry trade associations requesting that the FTC amend the Guides for the Jewelry, Precious Metals, and Pewter Industries (Guides), 16 C.F.R. Part 23. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2008/07/jvc.shtm Monday, 21 July 2008 13:30:00 +0000 The Federal Trade Commission and the Technology Law and Public Policy Clinic at the University of Washington School of Law will co-host a day-long Town Hall meeting on the campus of the University of Washington to examine emerging uses of contactless payment devices and their implications, including security and privacy implications, for consumer protection policy. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2008/07/contactless.shtm Friday, 18 July 2008 10:00:00 +0000 The owners of an invention promotion operation have agreed to pay $10 million in consumer redress to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that they deceived consumers across the country. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2008/07/davison.shtm Thursday, 17 July 2008 16:00:00 +0000 Consent Order Requires Pernod to Stop Distributing Stolichnaya Vodka, Implement Firewall Preventing it from Getting Information on Four Competing Beam Global Brands http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2008/07/pernod.shtm Thursday, 17 July 2008 11:30:00 +0000 The Federal Trade Commission has charged a credit repair company and its owner with violating federal law by falsely promising to remove derogatory information from consumers' credit reports – even if the information is accurate and not obsolete. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2008/07/payneless.shtm Wednesday, 16 July 2008 11:30:00 +0000 Commission approval of Federal Register notice - The Commission has approved publication of a Federal Register notice seeking public comments on the effectiveness and impact of the FTC's Used Motor Vehicle Trade Regulation Rule, 16 C.F.R. Part 455, commonly known as the Used Car Rule. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2008/07/ucr.shtm Tuesday, 15 July 2008 12:00:00 +0000 Defendants to Pay $95,000 for Violating Commission's Telemarketing Rules http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2008/07/dishtm.shtm Tuesday, 15 July 2008 10:30:00 +0000 Defendants in an operation that sold bogus weight loss supplements through illegal spam e-mail have settled Federal Trade Commission charges that their operation violated federal laws. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2008/07/spearsys.shtm Monday, 14 July 2008 11:00:00 +0000 The Federal Trade Commission today released a staff report on a Roundtable Discussion on Phishing Education that it hosted in April. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2008/07/phishing.shtm Monday, 14 July 2008 11:00:00 +0000 What are the antitrust laws and how do they promote and protect competition? Find the answers in a new online resource from the Federal Trade Commission, the FTC Guide to the Antitrust Laws. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2008/07/bcwebfyi.shtm Monday, 14 July 2008 10:00:00 +0000 The Federal Trade Commission staff will host a workshop on September 25, 2008, to explore growth in the for-profit debt settlement industry and to examine its impact on consumers and businesses. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2008/07/debtsettlement.shtm Friday, 11 July 2008 11:00:00 +0000 Commission approval of Federal Register notice – The Commission has approved the publication of an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) in the Federal Register to initiate a proceeding to evaluate labeling requirements for "lamps," more commonly known as light bulbs. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2008/07/lightbulb.shtm Friday, 11 July 2008 11:00:00 +0000 Workshop is Third in Agency's Review of its Environmental Marketing Guides http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2008/07/greenguidesma.shtm Thursday, 10 July 2008 15:00:00 +0000 Flow Required to Provide Competitors with Royalty-Free License to OMAX Patents http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2008/07/flowomax.shtm Thursday, 10 July 2008 11:00:00 +0000 Commission approval of report to Congress - The Commission has approved the issuance of a report to Congress regarding the Do Not Call Registry for Fiscal Year 2007. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2008/07/dncfyi.shtm Wednesday, 9 July 2008 10:00:00 +0000 In testimony on behavioral advertising, the Federal Trade Commission today told the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation that "the issues surrounding this practice are complex ... the business models are diverse and constantly evolving, and ... behavioral advertising may provide benefits to consumers even as it raises concerns about consumer privacy." http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2008/07/behavorialad.shtm Tuesday, 8 July 2008 11:00:00 +0000 The Federal Trade Commission has proposed rescinding guidance issued in 1966 that generally permits statements concerning tar and nicotine yields if they are based on the Cambridge Filter Method, which is sometimes referred to as "the FTC Method." http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2008/07/cigarettefyi.shtm Tuesday, 8 July 2008 11:00:00 +0000 FTC Urges Caution When Considering 'Boot Camps' http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2008/07/residentialfyi.shtm Tuesday, 8 July 2008 11:00:00 +0000 Financial institutions and creditors are now required to develop and implement written identity theft prevention programs under the new "Red Flags Rules." http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2008/07/redflagsfyi.shtm Wednesday, 2 July 2008 10:00:00 +0000 The Federal Trade Commission plans to study the experiences of identity theft victims by conducting a survey of consumers who contacted the FTC after they were victimized. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2008/07/fcra.shtm Tuesday, 1 July 2008 11:00:00 +0000 An operator who used deceptive earnings promises to recruit consumers for a multi-level marketing operation that was a pyramid scheme has agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that the operation was illegal and violated federal law. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2008/07/elliott.shtm Tuesday, 1 July 2008 11:00:00 +0000 Commission approval of Federal Register notice- Following a public comment period, the Commission has approved the publication of a notice in the Federal Register amending the Appliance Labeling Rule with regard to the labeling requirements for metal halide lamp fixtures. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2008/07/halidelamps.shtm Monday, 30 June 2008 11:00:00 +0000 Companies Required to Sell Carlyle's Sodium Silicate Plant in Utica, Illinois http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2008/06/ineos.shtm Thursday, 26 June 2008 13:00:00 +0000 Study Finds High Levels of Compliance with Voluntary Placement Standard http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2008/06/alcoholrpt.shtm Tuesday, 24 June 2008 11:00:00 +0000 Two payday loan lead generators have agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that their Internet advertising stated payday loan costs and repayment periods without disclosing annual percentage rate (APR) information as federal law requires. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2008/06/wegiveloans.shtm Tuesday, 24 June 2008 11:00:00 +0000 Commission approval of final consent order - Following a public comment period, the FTC has approved the issuance of a final consent order in the matter concerning the Missouri Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors, as well as a letter responding to the commenter of record. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2008/06/msbefdfyi.shtm Tuesday, 24 June 2008 11:00:00 +0000 Putting a new twist on an old scam, con artists are posing as government officials when they tell consumers they have won a sweepstakes prize. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2008/06/govtfyi.shtm Friday, 20 June 2008 11:00:00 +0000 Commission approval of joint amicus brief filing – The Commission has approved the filing of an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in the matter of Altria v. Good et al., No. 07-562 (U.S. S. Ct.). http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2008/06/amicusfyi.shtm Thursday, 19 June 2008 11:30:00 +0000 No Substitute for the Agency's Own Sustained Efforts to Get Things Right http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2008/06/ftc100.shtm Thursday, 19 June 2008 11:00:00 +0000 The Federal Trade Commission has approved a staff comment to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on a proposed congestion management rule for LaGuardia Airport. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2008/06/laguardiafyi.shtm Thursday, 19 June 2008 11:00:00 +0000 The Federal Trade Commission and the California Office of Privacy Protection will co-host a half-day public workshop in Los Angeles on Wednesday, August 13, 2008, on how businesses can secure personal information and protect the privacy of consumers and employees. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2008/06/datasecwksp.shtm Wednesday, 18 June 2008 11:00:00 +0000 Commission approval of Federal Register notice - The Commission has approved publication of a Federal Register notice announcing final amendments to the agency's Fuel Rating Rule. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2008/06/fuelfyi.shtm Tuesday, 17 June 2008 12:00:00 +0000 Commission approval of order dismissing administrative complaint – The Commission has approved an order dismissing its administrative complaint against Inova Health System Foundation (Inova) and Prince William Health System, Inc. (PWHS) without prejudice, as the respondents publicly announced their mutual decision to terminate the proposed acquisition agreement. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2008/06/inovafyi.shtm Tuesday, 17 June 2008 11:00:00 +0000 The Federal Trade Commission is urging consumers to be cautious of potential charity scams in connection with the recent floods and tornadoes that have caused damage in the Midwest. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2008/06/midwestfyi.shtm Tuesday, 17 June 2008 10:00:00 +0000 Thousands of Small Businesses and Nonprofits Billed for Domain Registrations They Didn't Get http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2008/06/ils.shtm Monday, 16 June 2008 14:00:00 +0000 The Federal Trade Commission has authorized its staff to file comments with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) concerning proposed amendments to regulations implementing the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA). http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2008/06/respafyi.shtm Friday, 13 June 2008 11:00:00 +0000 Commission extension of public rebuttal comment period: The Commission has approved the extension of the public rebuttal comment period related to the Revised Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (RNPR) in connection with the Business Opportunity Rule. Commission approval of final consent order: Following a public comment period, the Commission has approved a final consent order in the matter of Agrium, Inc. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2008/06/agriumfyi.shtm Wednesday, 11 June 2008 15:00:00 +0000 The Federal Trade Commission today told the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation that "legislation authorizing the Commission to seek civil penalties in spyware cases could add a potent remedy to those otherwise available to the Commission." http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2008/06/spyware.shtm Wednesday, 11 June 2008 11:00:00 +0000 Defendants who allegedly offered "free" software CDs that weren't free, and billed unsuspecting consumers for a software continuity program they didn't know they were enrolled in, have agreed to settle FTC charges that their practices violated federal law. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2008/06/manay.shtm Wednesday, 11 June 2008 11:00:00 +0000 Father's Day Card Warns of Internet Scams http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2008/06/fdphishfyi.shtm Tuesday, 10 June 2008 13:30:00 +0000 The Federal Trade Commission today announced the filing of a lawsuit charging CompuCredit Corporation and its wholly-owned debt collection subsidiary, Jefferson Capital Systems, LLC, with deceptive marketing practices in selling credit cards to consumers in the subprime market. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2008/06/compucredit.shtm Tuesday, 10 June 2008 10:30:00 +0000 Because summer is a time when teen drunk-driving deaths peak and teens are at high risk of starting to drink, the Federal Trade Commission is urging adults around the nation to say "Let’s Make it a Safe Summer. Don't Serve Alcohol to Teens." http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2008/06/dontserve.shtm Tuesday, 10 June 2008 9:30:00 +0000 The Federal Trade Commission will announce a law enforcement action today, charging a credit card marketer and a debt collection company with using deceptive marketing practices and abusive debt collection tactics affecting consumers in the subprime market. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2008/06/ccma.shtm Friday, 6 June 2008 15:00:00 +0000 After a thorough investigation, the FTC filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia on May 12, 2008, seeking an injunction to stop the proposed combination of Inova and Prince William hospitals. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2008/06/inova.shtm Friday, 6 June 2008 11:00:00 +0000 Commission approval of final consent orders - Following a public comment period, the Commission has approved the issuance of final consent orders in the matters of CashPro d/b/a MakePaydayToday.com, American Cash Market, Inc., and Anderson Payday Loans. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2008/06/payday.shtm Friday, 6 June 2008 10:00:00 +0000 Will Examine Industry Trend Toward For-Profit Consumer Debt Relief Services http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2008/06/debt.shtm Thursday, 5 June 2008 11:00:00 +0000 Two defendants have agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges for allegedly victimizing Spanish-speaking consumers nationwide by posing as debt collectors seeking money the consumers did not owe. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2008/06/tonomusic.shtm Thursday, 5 June 2008 11:00:00 +0000 The Federal Trade Commission today announced that it has successfully secured the proceeds of repeat offender Richard Neiswonger's $100,000 performance bond. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2008/06/platte.shtm Wednesday, 4 June 2008 11:00:00 +0000 Under a federal court order entered on May 29, a home-buying consulting business that offers credit repair and home-buying consulting services will pay $10,000 to settle Federal Trade Commission charges, including illegally charging an advance fee for credit repair and falsely claiming that it can remove negative information from consumers’ credit reports, even if the information is accurate and timely. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2008/06/hbn.shtm Wednesday, 4 June 2008 11:00:00 +0000 As hurricane season swings into high gear, you may be more than ready with fully charged batteries, evacuation plans for loved ones and pets, refilled prescriptions, and other precautions. Perhaps you've considered how to deal with the possibility of storm surges, high winds, tornadoes, and flooding. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2008/06/hurricane.shtm Wednesday, 4 June 2008 10:30:00 +0000 A U.S. district court has ordered a halt to the illegal operations of a defendant who crammed unauthorized charges for Web site services onto the phone bills of hundreds of thousands of small businesses and non-profit organizations. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2008/06/websource.shtm Wednesday, 4 June 2008 9:00:00 +0000 Dennis J. Saccurato and his businesses, Sparta Chem, Inc. and Compu-Kleen Inc. of Elmwood Park, have agreed to a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission in which, among other things, they admit that they are in contempt for violating a court order barring them from making fraudulent representations to induce sales of cleaning supplies and shipping and billing for supplies that businesses didn't order. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2008/06/sparta.shtm Tuesday, 3 June 2008 13:00:00 +0000 Third Public Workshop in Series Scheduled for July 15, 2008, in Washington, DC http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2008/06/greenguides.shtm Tuesday, 3 June 2008 11:00:00 +0000 Commission approval of filing of staff comments - The Commission has approved the filing of comments by the staff of the Office of Policy Planning and the Bureaus of Economics, Competition, and Consumer Protection with State Representative Elaine Nekritz, of the Illinois House of Representatives, regarding Illinois House Bill 5372 (HB 5372) and the proposed regulation of retail health care facilities (retail clinics) within the state. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2008/06/hb5372.shtm Monday, 2 June 2008 10:00:00 +0000 At the request of the Federal Trade Commission, a U. S. District Court has ordered a temporary halt to the deceptive advertising claims used to promote prepaid phone cards marketed by Alternatel, Inc.; G.F.G. Enterprises, LLC, also d/b/a Mystic Prepaid; Voice Prepaid, Inc.; Voice Distributors, Inc.; Telecom Express, Inc.; and their principals, pending trial. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2008/06/alternatel.shtm