Displaying 321 - 340 of 10057
Blackstone Legal
As a result of a Federal Trade Commission lawsuit, a federal court has temporarily halted the operations and frozen the assets of a phantom debt collection scheme and its operators. The scheme has operated under numerous names, including Blackrock Services, Blackstone Legal Group, Capital Legal Services, Quest Legal Group, Viking Legal Services, and others.
According to the FTC’s complaint, the operators of this scheme are Ryan and Mitchell Evans and their affiliated companies. Debt collectors working for the scheme’s operators and their affiliated companies have sent consumers deceptive warning and collection letters or called them directly, claiming that consumers owed a debt of some kind and threatening legal action, wage garnishment, negative impacts to consumers’ credit, and even arrest if they don’t pay. The debts described in these letters and calls never existed, according to the complaint, and the defendants have no basis to make legal threats toward consumers.
In June 2025, the FTC announced a settlement that would ban Blackstone Legal and its owners from all debt collection and require surrender of assets.
Type of Action
Administrative
Last Updated
Case Status
Pending
Federal Register Notice
Petition for Rulemaking of Alliance for Natural Health USA; Xlear, Inc.; and Better Way Health
Date
FTC Sends More than $2 Million to Consumers Harmed by Scammers Pitching Bogus Money-Making and Coaching Programs
Date
The FTC is sending more than $2 million in refunds to consumers who were harmed by scammers pitching bogus get-rich-quick “kits” and coaching programs at the height of the financial crisis of the...
Paddle Will Pay $5 Million to Settle FTC Allegations of Unfair Payment-Processing Practices and Facilitation of Deceptive Tech-Support Schemes
Date
U.K.-based payment processor, Paddle.com Market Limited, and its subsidiary, Paddle.com, Inc., will pay $5 million and be permanently banned from processing payments for tech-support telemarketers...
FTC Provides Guidance on Updated Safeguards Rule
Date
Today, the FTC released Frequently Asked Questions that discuss the requirements of the Safeguards Rule, which was mandated by the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, and how it specifically applies to motor...
Phantom Debt Collectors to Face Permanent Ban as a Result of FTC Lawsuit
Date
Debt collection operation Blackstone Legal, along with its owners, will face a permanent ban from the debt collection industry as a result of the Federal Trade Commission’s lawsuit charging that they...
Evoke Wellness to Pay $1.9 Million to Settle FTC Claims That They Misled Consumers Seeking Substance Use Disorder Treatment
Date
The operators of a Florida-based substance use disorder treatment clinic have agreed to pay $1.9 million, settling allegations that they used deceptive Google search ads and telemarketing to...
FTC Announces Workshop on Exploring Unfair or Deceptive Trade Practices in “Gender-Affirming Care” for Minors
Date
Today the Federal Trade Commission announced it will host a workshop focusing on unfair or deceptive trade practices in “gender-affirming care” for minors. The workshop, called “The Dangers of ‘Gender...
Public Statement
Chairman Ferguson's Keynote Speech at the Attention Economy Workshop
Date
File
Keynote Speech of Chairman Andrew N. Ferguson
(259.62 KB)
FTC Sends Warning Letters to Prescribers Regarding Possible Violations of the Contact Lens Rule
Date
Staff of the Federal Trade Commission sent 37 letters to contact lens prescribers warning them of potential violations of the agency’s Contact Lens Rule. Staff also sent a letter to Spectrum Vision...
FTC to Host June 4 Workshop on The Attention Economy: How Big Tech Firms Exploit Children and Hurt Families
Date
WHAT: The Federal Trade Commission is hosting a workshop on "The Attention Economy: How Big Tech Firms Exploit Children and Hurt Families,” which will examine how Big Tech companies impose addictive...
Fleetcor Technologies, In the Matter of
Type of Action
Administrative
Last Updated
FTC Matter/File Number
182 3000
Docket Number
9403
Case Status
Pending
Student Loan Debt Relief Scam Operators Agree to be Permanently Banned from Industry, Turn Over Assets to Resolve FTC Charges
Date
The operators of an alleged transnational student loan debt relief scam have agreed to be permanently banned from the debt relief industry and to turn over more than $1 million in assets to resolve...
FTC Finalizes Order with GoDaddy over Data Security Failures
Date
The Federal Trade Commission has finalized an order with GoDaddy settling allegations that the webhosting provider misled consumers by failing to implement data security protections, which led to...
Displaying 321 - 340 of 10057