Consumer Alerts

The FTC recently published an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to request input on whether it needs to update the Negative Option Rule from 1973. The comment period is open until April 13, so

Many of us use or work with rental housing in some way. Maybe you have been — or are currently — a renter. Or maybe you own a rental property, operate a property management company, or otherwise work

If you’re thinking about opening a franchise, you’re probably looking for things like name recognition, training, and support to help you grow your business. What you’re probably not looking for is

The Bureau of Consumer Protection is deeply honored to recognize one of its most distinguished alumnae, Jodie Bernstein, as she celebrates her 100 th Birthday. For Jodie, one of the Commission’s

Protecting workers and ensuring competitive labor markets is a top priority for the FTC and the agency’s Labor Task Force. By maximizing the agency’s jurisdiction and interdisciplinary expertise, the

Exclusive contracts are vertical arrangements that restrict one or both parties to the contract from doing business with anyone else. These contracts may have pro-competitive benefits such as reducing

Your small business likely has had many milestones. Hiring your first employee. Opening your doors for the first time. Making your first sale. But some milestones you’d probably rather avoid — like

Each year, the Commission adjusts the minimum dollar jurisdictional thresholds that determine reportability under the Hart-Scott-Rodino (HSR) Act based on the change in gross national product in the

If you represent, coach, recruit, or otherwise work with student athletes, you probably know about the Sports Agent Responsibility and Trust Act (SPARTA). Since 2004, SPARTA has protected student

Consumers often rely on reviews to help them choose between everything from home repair companies to apartments to lawyers. When those reviews reflect honest feedback from real people who have

Accepts pets? Affordable rent? Close to work? Whatever the must-haves are for your next rental home, you can bet there’s a fake listing that checks all the boxes. Since 2020, people have reported

Price can be one of the most important factors people consider when looking for housing. But what happens when the rental price advertised doesn’t represent the price your tenants end up paying

The FTC is committed to fighting illegal telemarketing. For proof, look no further than the recently announced settlement with Citizens Disability, LLC and its subsidiary, CD Media, LLC (collectively

If you run a business, you might have employees on Medicare. Or maybe you know family or friends on Medicare or employees with family or friends on Medicare. Here’s how to help everyone avoid scams

Small businesses are the engine of the American economy. Whether you own a bakery, an accounting firm, a local repair shop, or something else, you want to protect what you’ve built. Sometimes that

Is your business in the fundraising business? Want a refresher on the rules of the road? Check out the FTC’s recent settlement with Kars-R-Us.com, Inc. (“Kars”), a company that collected donations on

Deceptive and unfair labor market practices hurt American workers and honest businesses that comply with the law. Protecting workers and ensuring fair, honest, and competitive labor markets is a top

Nowadays people can use subscription services for almost all areas of life: entertainment, food, gifts, fitness, education. These (often monthly) charges can add up, so if someone decides they want to

You already know how important trademarks and patents are to protecting your intellectual property. But do you know how to tell the difference between the real United States Patent and Trademark

Online marketplaces and third party sellers looking for a refresher on the INFORM Consumers Act should look no further than the recent settlement with Whaleco, Inc., which operates the online