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 Thu, 2 Ju1 2009 10:00:00 EST Thu, 2 Jun 2009 10:00:00 EST Case Against International Spam Operation is First Using US SAFE WEB Act http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/07/spear.shtm Thu, 2 Jun 2009 9:30:00 EST The operators of a debt collection company that used false threats and other unlawful tactics to collect consumers’ debts have agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that they violated federal law. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/07/oxford.shtm Wed, 1 Jun 2009 15:00:00 EST The Federal Trade Commission today announced final rules and guidelines that will promote the accuracy and integrity of information provided to credit reporting agencies (commonly called “credit bureaus”) and allow consumers to dispute inaccurate information about them directly with furnishers, the financial institutions and other entities that furnish the information to the credit reporting agencies. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/07/facta.shtm Wed, 1 Jul 2009 10:00:00 EST New Public Education Video Helps Consumers Steer Clear of Business Opportunity Fraud http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/07/shortchange.shtm Tue, 30 Jun 2009 10:00:00 EST 'Operation Short Change' Seeks to Protect Vulnerable Consumers http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/06/shortchange1.shtm Mon, 29 Jun 2009 10:00:00 EST Settles charges that it delivered fewer calling minutes than advertised, charged consumers hidden fees, and charged for calls that never connected http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/06/cta.shtm Fri, 26 Jun 2009 10:00:00 EST 'Operation Short Change' Seeks to Protect Vulnerable Consumers http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/06/shortchange.shtm Fri, 26 Jun 2009 10:00:00 EST The FTC filed an amended complaint adding several new defendants in the action currently pending against Federal Loan Modification Law Center, LLP, and six related defendants. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/06/fedloanmod.shtm Fri, 26 Jun 2009 10:00:00 EST U.S., Jamaican Authorities Target Sweepstakes, Foreign Lottery Fraud http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/06/jamaica.shtm Thu, 25 Jun 2009 10:00:00 EST Two defendants in a case involving a massive "scareware" scheme will settle Federal Trade Commission charges of deceptive advertising and forfeit more than $100,000 in assets that were frozen last year at the Commission's request. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/06/winsoftware.shtm Thu, 25 Jun 2009 9:30:00 EST The Federal Trade Commission and the Searle Center on Law, Regulation, and Economic Growth at Northwestern University School of Law will host a two-day public event on consumer protection issues in debt collection proceedings against individual consumers. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/06/chicagoround.shtm Thu, 25 Jun 2009 9:00:00 EST A federal court has ordered a credit repair operation and its principals to stop making false claims and requiring advance payment for credit repair services. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/06/acegroup.shtm Wed, 24 Jun 2009 15:30:00 EST The Federal Trade Commission today issued "Authorized Generics: An Interim Report," which presents the first set of results from a study conducted to examine the short-term and long-term effects of "authorized generics" on competition in the prescription drug marketplace. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/06/generics.shtm Tue, 23 Jun 2009 11:15:00 EST Discovery's John C. Malone Settles Agency Charges http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/06/malone.shtm Tue, 23 Jun 2009 10:00:00 EST Following a public comment period, the Commission has approved a final consent order in the matter of CVS Caremark Corporation and authorized the staff to provide responses to the commenters of record. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/06/cvs.shtm Tue, 23 Jun 2009 8:30:00 EST In a speech today before the Center for American Progress in Washington, D.C., Federal Trade Commission Chairman Jon Leibowitz said that an internal FTC analysis projects that stopping collusive "pay-for-delay" settlements between brand and generic pharmaceutical firms would save consumers $3.5 billion a year and also reap significant savings for the federal government, which pays approximately one-third of all prescription drug costs. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/06/capspeech.shtm Mon, 22 Jun 2009 9:00:00 EST At the request of the Federal Trade Commission, a federal court has halted a bogus mortgage foreclosure prevention operation that misrepresented both the "loss mitigation" services it offered and the earnings potential of the business opportunity it sold. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/06/freedom.shtm Fri, 19 Jun 2009 10:00:00 EST FTC Issues New Consumer Alert http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/06/churches.shtm Thu, 18 Jun 2009 10:00:00 EST The FTC, through its claims administrator, mailed more than 400,000 checks totaling more than $12 million on Friday, June 12, 2009, to consumers identified as victims of an illegal credit card billing scam operated by J.K. Publications and other defendants. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/06/jkpublications.shtm Thu, 18 Jun 2009 10:00:00 EST A federal court has ordered a payment processor that debited consumers' bank accounts without their authorization to pay $1,779,000 in consumer redress and to end the illegal practice. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/06/interbill.shtm Thu, 18 Jun 2009 10:00:00 EST Letter References Behavioral Advertising Report Issued in February http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/06/behavadvert.shtm Wed, 17 Jun 2009 14:00:00 EST The Federal Trade Commission today described its comprehensive efforts to combat identity theft before the U.S. House Subcommittee on Information Policy, Census, and National Archives of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/06/idtheft.shtm Tue, 16 Jun 2009 11:00:00 EST Following a public comment period, the Commission has approved a final consent order in the matter of James B. Nutter and Company. The FTC has extended until June 29, 2009, the period for submitting workshop comments in the proceeding to amend the Commission's Business Opportunity Rule, 16 CFR Part 437. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/06/p2pnutter.shtm Mon, 15 Jun 2009 10:00:00 EST The FTC has obtained a $2 million summary judgment against the leader of a Canada-based scheme that defrauded U.S. businesses out of millions of dollars by billing for unauthorized listings and advertisements in non-existent business and travel directories, and for unordered and undelivered office supplies and consulting services. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/06/iitd.shtm Thu, 11 Jun 2009 10:00:00 EST Six federal agencies issued a set of frequently asked questions (FAQs) today to help financial institutions, creditors, users of consumer reports, and issuers of credit cards and debit cards comply with federal regulations on identity theft and discrepancies in changes of address. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/06/redflags.shtm Thu, 11 Jun 2009 9:00:00 EST Hearing Concerns Release of Agency Report Summarizing Public Roundtable Findings http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/06/biologicdrugs.shtm Wed, 10 Jun 2009 10:00:00 EST A major U.S. alcohol supplier has agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that its advertising for the caffeinated alcohol drink Wide Eye was deceptive, unsubstantiated, and in violation of federal law. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/06/consbrands.shtm Wed, 10 Jun 2009 10:00:00 EST The Federal Trade Commission today released a report entitled "Follow-on Biologic Drug Competition" which examines whether the price of biologic drugs – products manufactured using living tissues and microorganisms – could be reduced by competition from so-called "follow-on biologics" (FOBs). http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/06/biologics.shtm Wed, 10 Jun 2009 9:30:00 EST The Federal Trade Commission has filed a civil contempt action charging a deceptive mortgage foreclosure rescue and loan modification operation with violating a 2001 court order. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/06/medicalcapital.shtm Tue, 9 Jun 2009 10:00:00 EST Agency Testifies About Efforts to Ensure Truthfulness of Environmental Marketing Claims http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/06/kmart.shtm Tue, 9 Jun 2009 10:00:00 EST Following a public comment period, the Commission has granted, in part, a petition by Hexion LLC and Huntsman Corporation requesting that two FTC Orders related to their proposed merger be reopened and set aside. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/06/hexion.shtm Tue, 9 Jun 2009 8:00:00 EST Following the Federal Trade Commission's filing of a lawsuit to block the transaction, CSL Limited announced on June 8, 2009, that it will not proceed with its proposed $3.1 billion acquisition of Talecris Biotherapeutics. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/06/csl.shtm Fri, 5 Jun 2009 10:00:00 EST Following a public comment period, the Commission has approved a final consent order in the matter of Reed Elsevier NV and ChoicePoint Inc. and authorized the staff to send letters to the commenters of record. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/06/choicepoint.shtm Fri, 5 Jun 2009 10:00:00 EST E-card Warns of Internet Phishing Scams http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/06/fathersday.shtm Thu, 4 Jun 2009 12:00:00 EST A rogue Internet Service Provider that recruits, knowingly hosts, and actively participates in the distribution of spam, child pornography, and other harmful electronic content has been shut down by a district court judge at the request of the Federal Trade Commission. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/06/3fn.shtm Thu, 4 Jun 2009 11:00:00 EST Sears Failed to Disclose Adequately that Software Collected Consumers' Sensitive Personal Information http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/06/sears.shtm Thu, 4 Jun 2009 11:00:00 EST Proposed Order Bars Collective Bargaining of Fees for Medical Services http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/06/altabates.shtm Tue, 3 Jun 2009 15:15:00 EST Federal Trade Commission Chairman Jon Leibowitz praised the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee's Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection Subcommittee for its vote today in favor of the Protecting Consumer Access to Generic Drugs Act of 2009 (H.R. 1706), which would prohibit "pay-for-delay" patent settlements in which manufacturers of brand-name drugs pay potential generic competitors to stay out of the market. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/06/genericdrugs.shtm Tue, 3 Jun 2009 9:00:00 EST Congressional Action Needed to Prevent Higher Drug Costs to Consumers and Federal, State, and Local Governments http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/06/payfordelay.shtm Mon, 2 Jun 2009 12:30:00 EST Actions are Part of Joint U.S.-Canada Law Enforcement Sweep "Operation Mirage" http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/06/optmirage.shtm Mon, 2 Jun 2009 10:00:00 EST The FTC has amended the complaint in the action currently pending against Voice Touch, Inc., adding Voice Foundations, LLC as a defendant. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/06/robocall.shtm Mon, 2 Jun 2009 9:30:00 EST The Federal Trade Commission, the Department of Justice, and the Department of Education have issued their annual report to Congress pursuant to the College Scholarship Fraud Prevention Act, describing their continued efforts to combat scholarship and financial aid fraud. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/06/scholarfraud.shtm Wed, 29 May 2009 12:00:00 EST The Federal Trade Commission has joined the U.S. Department of Justice in filing an amicus brief in the U.S. Supreme Court in the matter of American Needle, Inc. v. National Football League, No. 08-661 (U.S. S. Ct.). http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/05/nflwf.shtm Wed, 29 May 2009 12:00:00 EST With summer on the way, hotter days and vacation road trips are coming up fast. Because the costs of cooling your home and filling up your car can add up, the Federal Trade Commission is offering tips to save you money. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/05/gasprices.shtm Fri, 29 May 2009 11:00:00 EST In an effort to better protect financially distressed homeowners, the Federal Trade Commission has initiated a rulemaking proceeding involving foreclosure rescue and loan modification services. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/05/decepmortgage.shtm Thu, 28 May 2009 11:00:00 EST Federal Trade Commission Chairman Jon Leibowitz will participate in the eighth annual International Competition Network (ICN) conference in Zurich, Switzerland, from June 3-5, 2009. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/05/icn.shtm Wed, 27 May 2009 17:00:00 EST The Federal Trade Commission has authorized a lawsuit to block CSL Limited's proposed $3.1 billion acquisition of Talecris Biotherapeutics Holdings Corporation, charging that the deal would be illegal and would substantially reduce competition in the U.S. markets for four plasma-derivative protein therapies – Immune globulin (Ig), Albumin, Rho-D, and Alpha-1. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/05/talecris.shtm Wed, 27 May 2009 11:00:00 EST The Federal Trade Commission has charged a mortgage foreclosure "rescue" operation with falsely promising Spanish-speaking consumers who are behind on their mortgage payments that it would stop foreclosure. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/05/mortgagerescue.shtm Tue, 26 May 2009 11:00:00 EST Following a public comment period, the Commission has approved a final consent order in the matter of BASF and Ciba Specialty Chemicals. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/05/basf.shtm Fri, 22 May 2009 16:00:00 EST Federal Trade Commission staff have filed a comment stating that the amended version of proposed Louisiana House Bill 687, if enacted, would further restrict competition to provide dental care to underserved children in the state, without providing any countervailing benefits to consumers. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/05/ladentistry2.shtm Thu, 21 May 2009 10:30:00 EST Federal Trade Commission Chairman Jon Leibowitz announced the appointment of Willard K. "Will" Tom as General Counsel for the agency, and the appointment of Peter J. Levitas, Mark W. Frankena, Howard Shelanski, and Judith Bailey to senior positions in the agency's Competition and Economics Bureaus and the Office of Congressional Relations. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/05/appointcounsel.shtm Wed, 20 May 2009 11:00:00 EST Agency Joined by 49 States in Bringing 76 Actions Against Fraudulent Solicitors Nationwide http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/05/charityfraud.shtm Tue, 19 May 2009 13:30:00 EST The Federal Trade Commission today announced it will hold a series of workshops titled "Can News Media Survive the Internet Age? Competition, Consumer Protection, and First Amendment Perspectives." The first workshop will be held on September 15, 2009. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/05/news2009.shtm Mon, 18 May 2009 16:30:00 EST The Federal Trade Commission, together with dozens of state law enforcement officials, will announce "Operation False Charity," a crackdown on fraudulent telemarketers who falsely claim to be soliciting money on behalf of police, firefighters, and veterans charities, at a press conference at FTC Headquarters Wednesday, May 20, 2009 at 11 a.m. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/05/phonycharity.shtm Mon, 18 May 2009 15:30:00 EST At the Federal Trade Commission's request, a federal district court issued an order to stop an Internet-based operation that pretends to operate "MakingHomeAffordable.gov," the official Web site of the federal Making Home Affordable program for free mortgage loan assistance. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/05/mortgageads.shtm Mon, 18 May 2009 10:30:00 EST The Federal Trade Commission and the Searle Center on Law, Regulation, and Economic Growth at Northwestern University School of Law will host a two-day public event, "Protecting Consumers in Debt Collection Litigation and Arbitration: A Roundtable Discussion," in Chicago, Illinois, on August 5 and 6, 2009 http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/05/debtcollection.shtm Fri, 15 May 2009 15:00:00 EST Today Judge John F. Grady of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois issued a temporary restraining order stopping telemarketing company Voice Touch, Inc., its principals James and Maureen Dunne, its business partner Network Foundations LLC, and Network Foundations principal Damian Kohlfeld from making any further calls in violation of the Do Not Call Registry and other provisions of the Telemarketing Sales Rule and the FTC Act. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/05/robocalls2.shtm Thu, 14 May 2009 15:00:00 EST The Federal Trade Commission has formally dismissed the complaint in the Rambus matter. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/05/rambus.shtm Thu, 14 May 2009 13:00:00 EST Companies Charged With Making Hundreds of Millions of Deceptive Calls to Consumers http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/05/robocalls.shtm Thu, 14 May 2009 12:00:00 EST The Federal Trade Commission will hold a telephone press availability on Thursday, May 14, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. EST to announce federal lawsuits filed today challenging an operation that made hundreds of millions of robocalls to promote an operation that sold bogus auto warranties. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/05/robocall.shtm Thu, 14 May 2009 11:00:00 EST The Federal Trade Commission has warned Web site operators who made claims that their products can prevent, treat, or cure the Influenza A/H1N1 virus, commonly known as swine flu, that they must have scientific proof to support their claims. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/05/swineflu2.shtm Wed, 13 May 2009 14:00:00 EST Consumers in search of an apartment or house to rent often rely on online rental listings in order to find the right place, especially if they're looking in another city or state. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/05/rentalscam.shtm Wed, 13 May 2009 10:00:00 EST To help entities that have a low risk of identity theft - such as businesses that know their customers personally - the Federal Trade Commission has created a template that guides such businesses and organizations in developing written identity theft prevention programs to comply with the Red Flags Rule. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/05/redflags.shtm Tue, 12 May 2009 13:00:00 EST The Federal Trade Commission today told the U.S. House Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection of the Committee on Energy and Commerce that, in response to the current economic crisis, the FTC has substantially increased its law enforcement efforts to protect consumers of financial services. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/05/debitproact.shtm Tue, 12 May 2009 11:00:00 EST The marketers of a work-at-home scam who led consumers to believe they could earn $500 or more per week processing medical bills and would receive training and access to customers have agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that their deceptive claims violated federal law. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/05/mbn.shtm Tue, 12 May 2009 11:00:00 EST Commission Approval of Final Consent Order: Following a public comment period, the Commission has approved a final consent order in the matter of Native Essence Herb Company. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/05/2cancercures.shtm Mon, 11 May 2009 11:00:00 EST The Federal Trade Commission has charged a home mortgage lender and its owner with violating federal law by charging Hispanic consumers higher prices for mortgage loans than non-Hispanic white consumers – price disparities that cannot be explained by the applicants' credit characteristics or underwriting risk. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/05/gem.shtm Mon, 11 May 2009 11:00:00 EST Budget request and GPRA Performance Plans submission to Congress: The Commission has approved the FTC's FY 2010 Budget Overview Statement and the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) Performance Plans for FY 2009 and FY 2010. The Commission is seeking public comment on its Rule Concerning the Use of Prenotification Negative Option Plans (Negative Option Rule), 16 C.F.R. Part 425, as part of the agency's systematic review of its rules and guides. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/05/budget.shtm Wed, 6 May 2009 13:30:00 EST Federal Trade Commission Chairman Jon Leibowitz announced today that Ken Glazer, Senior Deputy Director of the Bureau of Competition, plans to leave the FTC this month. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/05/kenglazer.shtm Wed, 6 May 2009 10:00:00 EST The Federal Trade Commission today told the U.S. House Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity of the Committee on Financial Services that, with the rapid increase in mortgage delinquencies and foreclosures, the FTC has intensified its efforts to protect consumers from foreclosure rescue and loan modification scams. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/05/4closurescam.shtm Tue, 5 May 2009 14:00:00 EST Announces Settlement of Case Against Mortgage Lender That Allegedly Failed to Safeguard Consumer Information http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/05/peer2peer.shtm Mon, 4 May 2009 10:30:00 EST Two individuals who lured homeowners into high-cost, short-term loans secured by an additional mortgage on their homes have settled FTC charges that they violated federal law – and a previous court order against them. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/05/rescue.shtm Mon, 4 May 2009 9:00:00 EST FTC Staff Advises Louisiana Legislature That Bill Would Restrict Competition to Provide Dental Care to the State's Underserved Children http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/05/ladentistry.shtm Fri, 1 May 2009 11:00:00 EST Offending Web Sites and Illegal Activity Targeted for Action http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/05/swineflu.shtm Fri, 1 May 2009 11:00:00 EST The FTC has submitted a comment to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) concerning FERC's competitive assessments of partial acquisitions of electric power providers, including by private equity firms holding investments in competing electric power providers (Docket No. PL09-3-000). http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/05/ferc.shtm Fri, 1 May 2009 11:00:00 EST The Federal Trade Commission is seeking public comment on a petition from America Online, Inc. and CompuServe Interactive Services, Inc. to reopen and modify a January 2004 final FTC Order concerning the two companies. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/05/aol.shtm Fri, 1 May 2009 11:00:00 EST Mom has given out lots of good advice over the years. On Mother's Day, let her know you're looking out for her, too. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/05/fyimothersday.shtm Thu, 30 Apr 2009 11:00:00 EST The Federal Trade Commission will delay enforcement of the new "Red Flags Rule" until August 1, 2009, to give creditors and financial institutions more time to develop and implement written identity theft prevention programs. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/04/redflagsrule.shtm Thu, 30 Apr 2009 11:00:00 EST The Federal Trade Commission has approved an alternative procedure for the production of customer information in connection with the FTC study on the effect of credit-based insurance scores on the availability and affordability of homeowners insurance. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/04/facta.shtm Mon, 27 Apr 2009 11:00:00 EST The Federal Trade Commission today adopted as final the interim rules amending Parts 3 and 4 of the agency's Rules of Practice that were announced last December, and also further amended several rules and eliminated one. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/04/part3.shtm Mon, 27 Apr 2009 11:00:00 EST At the request of the Federal Trade Commission, a federal court has imposed a judgment of $18.9 million against operators of an "Internet kiosk" business opportunity scam, clearing the way for the FTC to distribute more than $2 million to the victims of their illegal Ponzi scheme. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/04/nsd.shtm Mon, 27 Apr 2009 11:00:00 EST The Federal Trade Commission has charged the suppliers of supposed Hoodia gordonii, also known as hoodia, with deceptive advertising for claiming that using their product would lead to weight loss and appetite suppression. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/04/nutraceuticals.shtm Mon, 27 Apr 2009 11:00:00 EST The Federal Trade Commission today announced the agendas for the next two in its series of public workshops on resale price maintenance (RPM). http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/04/rpm.shtm Fri, 24 Apr 2009 11:00:00 EST The Federal Trade Commission's case against the marketers of Xenadrine EFX, a purported weight-loss product, has ended, with the final defendant in the case settling charges of false and unsubstantiated advertising. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/04/xenadrine.shtm Fri, 24 Apr 2009 11:00:00 EST The Commission has reopened the public comment period for the regulatory review of the Used Motor Vehicle Trade Regulation Rule (Used Car Rule) through June 10, 2009. The Commission has approved an amended complaint that adds a new defendant and charges in the action currently pending against Group One Networks, Inc. The Commission has proposed amendments to the agency's Guide Concerning Fuel Economy Advertising for New Automobiles (the Fuel Economy Guide) (16 C.F.R. Part 259). In a comment jointly filed with the Supreme Court of Hawaii, the Federal Trade Commission and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) advised that a proposed rule concerning the practice of law could unduly restrict the activities of non-lawyers in Hawaii. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/04/fyi0904.shtm Wed, 22 Apr 2009 11:00:00 EST The Federal Trade Commission staff has issued a report based upon a public town hall meeting the FTC hosted in May 2008 to explore consumer protection issues arising in the mobile commerce marketplace. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/04/mobilerpt.shtm Tue, 21 Apr 2009 11:00:00 EST The Federal Trade Commission will hold a day-long public workshop on June 1, 2009 in Washington, DC, to explore proposed changes to the FTC's Business Opportunity Rule. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/04/bizopp.shtm Mon, 20 Apr 2009 11:00:00 EST Kellogg Company, the world's leading producer of cereal, has agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that advertising claims touting a breakfast of Frosted Mini-Wheats as "clinically shown to improve kids' attentiveness by nearly 20%" were false and violated federal law. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/04/kellogg.shtm Fri, 17 Apr 2009 11:00:00 EST The Commission has approved a Federal Register notice seeking public comments on the costs and benefits of the agency's Cooling-Off Rule, as part of its systematic review of its rules and guides.; Following a public comment period, the Commission has approved a final consent order in the matter of American Telecom Services, Inc. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/04/coolingoff.shtm Thu, 16 Apr 2009 1:30:00 EST The Federal Trade Commission today issued a Revised Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (RNPRM) seeking public comment on a revised proposed rule that would prohibit market manipulation in the petroleum industry. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/04/rnprm.shtm Thu, 16 Apr 2009 1:30:00 EST DIRECTV to Pay $2.31 Million for Violating Telemarketing Sales Rule; Comcast to Pay $900,000 for Calling Consumers Who Asked Not to be Called Again http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/04/directv.shtm Thu, 16 Apr 2009 1:00:00 EST Carrying a credit card balance can be expensive for consumers, especially for those who make only minimum monthly payments. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/04/nonbankcc.shtm Thu, 16 Apr 2009 11:00:00 EST The Federal Trade Commission today announced that it has approved a Federal Register notice seeking public comment on a proposed rule that would require entities to notify consumers when the security of their electronic health information is breached. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/04/healthbreach.shtm Wed, 15 Apr 2009 11:00:00 EST The Federal Trade Commission announced today a Federal Register notice describing quantitative consumer testing of a model privacy form developed as part of a Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLB) interagency notice project. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/04/glbnotice.shtm Tue, 14 Apr 2009 11:00:00 EST Federal Trade Commission Chairman Jon Leibowitz has appointed six senior staff members with extensive experience in the private sector, in the public interest community, in academia, and in government. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/04/seniorstaff.shtm Tue, 14 Apr 2009 11:00:00 EST The Federal Trade Commission's Bureau of Competition has advised TriState Health Partners, Inc. (TriState), a physician-hospital organization based in Hagerstown, Maryland, that staff has no present intention to recommend that the Commission challenge the organization's proposed clinical integration program, which would include joint contracting by its members with health plans and self-insured employers. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/04/tristate.shtm Tue, 14 Apr 2009 11:00:00 EST Following a public comment period, the Commission has approved a final consent order in the matter of National Association of Music Merchants, Inc. (NAMM). http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/04/namm.shtm Fri, 10 Apr 2009 11:00:00 EST Following a public comment period, the Commission has approved a final consent order in the matter of Lubrizol Corporation and Lockhart Company. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/04/lubrizol.shtm Thu, 9 Apr 2009 11:00:00 EST Order Includes $1 Million Judgment Against Operators http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/04/cashcorner.shtm Wed, 8 Apr 2009 11:00:00 EST Event Will Take Place May 4 and 5, 2009 http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/04/iphearing.shtm Tue, 7 Apr 2009 11:00:00 EST Event Emphasizes Securing Personal Information, Complying with Red Flags Rule http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/04/datasec.shtm Mon, 6 Apr 2009 11:00:00 EST FTC, State Enforcers Sue Scammers, Warn Others; Announce Education Campaign Designed to Reach Borrowers Directly http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/04/hud.shtm Mon, 6 Apr 2009 11:00:00 EST Civil Enforcement Cases, State Enforcement Actions, Alert to Financial Institutions Among New Efforts to Protect American Homeowners Seeking Relief http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/04/loanfraud.shtm Fri, 3 Apr 2009 11:00:00 EST The Federal Trade Commission has brought to a halt two peddlers of bogus cancer curesthat were targeted during Operation False Cures, a law enforcement sweep announced last fall. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/04/2cancercures.shtm Fri, 3 Apr 2009 11:00:00 EST Federal Trade Commission staff filed a comment stating that provisions of New York State Senate Bill 58 would likely have the unintended consequence of increasing prices that New York consumers and health plans pay for prescription drugs. The Commission has approved a final consent order in the matter of Dow Chemical Company and Rohm and Haas Company. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/04/nyrohmhaas.shtm Thu, 2 Apr 2009 1:00:00 EST BASF Required to Sell Assets Related to Two High Performance Pigments http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/04/basf.shtm Thu, 2 Apr 2009 10:30:00 EST The Federal Trade Commission has launched a Web site to help entities covered by the Red Flags Rule design and implement identity theft prevention programs. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/04/redflags.shtm Wed, 1 Apr 2009 12:30:00 EST Federal Trade Commission Chairman Jon Leibowitz announced today that David P. Wales, Acting Director of the Bureau of Competition for the past nine months, will leave the FTC in May. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/04/dwales.shtm Wed, 1 Apr 2009 11:00:00 EST Defendants Claimed to be Calling on Behalf of a Major Retailer or Credit Card Company http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/04/suretouch.shtm Tue, 31 Mar 2009 11:00:00 EST Drug maker Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (BMS) will pay $2.1 million - the largest fine allowed by law - for failing to inform the Federal Trade Commission of agreements reached with Apotex, Inc., regarding potential generic competition to its blockbuster drug Plavix. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/03/bmsplavix.shtm Tue, 31 Mar 2009 11:00:00 EST Congressional Action Necessary to Prevent Higher Pharmaceutical Costs to Consumers and Federal, State, and Local Governments http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/03/payfordelay.shtm Tue, 31 Mar 2009 10:00:00 EST The Federal Trade Commission today told the U.S. House Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government of the Committee on Appropriations that the FTC has intensified its efforts to protect consumers in financial services markets, and that changes in the law and additional resources would enhance the agency's effectiveness. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/03/houseapp.shtm Tue, 31 Mar 2009 10:00:00 EST Provides Advice on Debt, Employment, and Avoiding Scams http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/03/moneymatters.shtm Fri, 27 Mar 2009 11:00:00 EST In Tough Economic Times, FTC Focused on Financial Services, Health Care, Energy, Privacy, Technology http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/03/annualrpt.shtm Wed, 25 Mar 2009 11:00:00 EST Four State Attorney Generals Join Commission's Case Against Satellite TV Firm http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/03/echostar.shtm Tue, 24 Mar 2009 10:00:00 EST The Federal Trade Commission today told the U.S. House Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection of the Committee on Energy and Commerce that the FTC will continue protecting consumers from predatory lending and other illegal practices through all stages of the credit life-cycle, from advertising of credit through collection of debt. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/03/financialhouse.shtm Tue, 24 Mar 2009 10:00:00 EST Two Firms Falsely Claimed to be Affiliated with Non-Profit HOPE NOW Alliance http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/03/newhope.shtm Fri, 20 Mar 2009 11:00:00 EST According to the staff of the Federal Trade Commission, legislation pending before the Minnesota legislature that seeks to exempt certain activities by Minnesota health care cooperatives from federal and state antitrust law likely would raise health care costs and reduce insurance coverage for Minnesota consumers. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/03/minnesotahc.shtm Fri, 20 Mar 2009 11:00:00 EST The FTC has approved the publication of a Federal Register notice amending Commission Rule 7(c) of the Rules and Regulations under the Textile Fiber Products Identification Act, commonly known as the Textile Rules, to establish a new generic fiber subclass name and definition. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/03/genericfiber.shtm Fri, 20 Mar 2009 11:00:00 EST In a statement presented today to the United States Commission on Civil Rights, the Federal Trade Commission described its efforts to protect consumers from unfair, deceptive, and discriminatory practices in the mortgage lending market. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/03/crcommission.shtm Thu, 19 Mar 2009 11:00:00 EST QVC, Inc., a TV home shopping channel and one of the world's largest multimedia retailers, has agreed to pay $7.5 million to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that it made false and unsubstantiated claims about three types of dietary supplements in violation of an FTC order, and about an anti-cellulite skin cream in violation of the FTC Act. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/03/infomercials.shtm Thu, 19 Mar 2009 11:00:00 EST Federal investigators working undercover in seven states during 2008 found significant violations of the Funeral Rule at 26 of 104 funeral homes visited. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/03/funeral2008.shtm Wed, 18 Mar 2009 11:00:00 EST The Federal Trade Commission today announced the fourth in a series of public hearings exploring the evolving market for intellectual property. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/03/iphearing.shtm Tue, 17 Mar 2009 11:00:00 EST The Federal Trade Commission has charged seven related companies with violating federal law by falsely promising to remove negative information from consumers' credit reports, even information that is accurate and current, and by charging an up-front fee and failing to provide written disclosures. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/03/unitedcredit.shtm Fri, 13 Mar 2009 11:00:00 EST Following a public comment period, the Commission has approved a final consent order in the matter of Getinge AB and Datascope Corp. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/03/getinge.shtm Wed, 11 Mar 2009 11:00:00 EST A company that sold telephones and telephone services through retailers nationwide has been barred from failing to provide the rebates it promised to consumers in a timely manner. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/03/ats.shtm Tue, 10 Mar 2009 11:00:00 EST Despite the musical claims of some TV commercials, the only authorized source to get your free annual credit report under federal law is AnnualCreditReport.com. Click here to view videos. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/03/freecredit.shtm Tue, 10 Mar 2009 11:00:00 EST The FTC has approved an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR) under the Appliance Labeling Rule for publication in the Federal Register. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/03/anpr.shtm Mon, 9 Mar 2009 11:00:00 EST The United States District Court for the District of Columbia announced its decision today granting the Federal Trade Commission's request for a preliminary injunction enjoining CCC Information Services Inc.'s merger with Mitchell International Inc. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/03/cccmitchell.shtm Mon, 9 Mar 2009 11:00:00 EST APEC, OECD are Co-Sponsors; Event to be held March 16-17, 2009 http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/03/personaldata.shtm Mon, 9 Mar 2009 11:00:00 EST To reinforce the message that the only authorized source for free annual credit reports under federal law is AnnualCreditReport.com, the Federal Trade Commission is offering two new videos http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/03/videoma.shtm Fri, 6 Mar 2009 11:00:00 EST Whole Foods Required to Sell 32 Wild Oats Stores, Intellectual Property, and Related Assets in 17 Markets http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/03/wholefoods.shtm Fri, 6 Mar 2009 11:00:00 EST Marketers of dietary supplements and health-related devices have agreed to pay $3 million in consumer redress to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that they deceptively claimed their products treated or prevented a wide variety of serious diseases and medical conditions. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/03/roex.shtm Thu, 5 Mar 2009 11:00:00 EST A consumer reporting agency that failed to properly screen prospective customers and, as a result, sold at least 318 credit reports to identity thieves, has agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that it violated federal law. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/03/rrs.shtm Thu, 5 Mar 2009 11:00:00 EST Sellers Greatly Exaggerated Their Products' Effectiveness http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/03/rvalue.shtm Thu, 5 Mar 2009 11:00:00 EST Event Emphasizes Securing Personal Information, Complying with Red Flags Rule http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/03/datasec.shtm Thu, 5 Mar 2009 11:00:00 EST The Federal Trade Commission today outlined the biggest challenges facing consumer protection agencies in the used car market in testimony before the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/03/autotest.shtm Wed, 4 Mar 2009 11:00:00 EST The FTC is warning consumers that they could get stung by an economic stimulus scam. The scams come in different forms. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/03/stimulusscam.shtm Wed, 4 Mar 2009 11:00:00 EST Defendants Targeted Consumers with Poor or No Credit http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/03/groupone.shtm Wed, 4 Mar 2009 11:00:00 EST Commission Order Prohibits NAMM From Facilitating Collusive Strategies Among its Members http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/03/namm.shtm Wed, 4 Mar 2009 11:00:00 EST The Federal Trade Commission has posted on its Web site a calculator that gives consumers an estimate of how long it will take them to pay off their credit card balance. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/03/ccc.shtm Tue, 3 Mar 2009 11:00:00 EST President Barack Obama designated Jon Leibowitz as Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission by a White House Order dated March 2, 2009. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/03/chairman.shtm Tue, 3 Mar 2009 11:00:00 EST To help parents better understand their childrens' online privacy rights, the Federal Trade Commission has developed a new article, Protecting Kids' Privacy. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/03/kidssafety.shtm Mon, 2 Mar 2009 14:30:00 EST PRESS CONFERENCE to unveil bogus Web sites and other scams claiming they can help individual consumers qualify for a share of stimulus package money. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/03/stimulusscam.shtm Mon, 2 Mar 2009 11:00:00 EST Virtual worlds - online "places" where people use graphic characters known as avatars to represent themselves - can expose children and teenagers to inappropriate activity or violence. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/03/virtualkids.shtm