FTC to Demonstrate Quick-Response Internet Investigation Tools

The Federal Trade Commission will hold a media availability on Thursday, October 5, 2000, at 10:00 a.m. to demonstrate the technology used to collect consumer complaints, investigate and rapidly bring charges against an overseas company for illegally billing thousands of consumers for accessing "videotext" on an adult Web site. During the week of September 18, 2000, the Commission received nearly 600 complaints against the company, and, using the tools available though its secure Internet Laboratory, was able to quickly track the long-distance connections and identify the parties doing the illegal billing. In just over a week, working with international law enforcement authorities, the investigation was completed and the FTC secured a temporary restraining order against the perpetrators. The availability will include a full demonstration of the Web site in question, along with the FTC's tools to track and identify those responsible for the illegal activity. A press release detailing the case will also be available.