Tag: federal_trade_commission
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FTC Action Results in Court Issuing Temporary Restraining Order Halting Phantom Debt Collection Operation
A federal court has temporarily halted and frozen the assets of a debt collection operation accused of using false threats to collect more than $20 million in often-fictitious debts.
Law EnforcementBusinessLegalFinancial MarketsSocial Issues Federal Trade Commissionphantom debt collectiontemporary restraining orderdebt collectionconsumer protectionfalse threatsfederal court
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Progress Residential and Pretium Partners to Pay $49.75 Million to Settle FTC and States' Rental Pricing Charges
The FTC and four states say Progress Residential and owner Pretium Partners misled renters with deceptive pricing. The companies will pay $49.75 million and must advertise true rental prices.
BusinessLaw EnforcementReal EstateLegalFederal Government Progress ResidentialPretium PartnersFederal Trade Commissionrental pricingsecurity depositssettlementsingle-family rental homes
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FTC and 22 States Reveal Unredacted Details in Amazon Ads Auction-Rigging Case
Newly unredacted complaint details allege Amazon manipulated search advertising auction results to meet corporate financial targets, according to the FTC and 22 states.
BusinessLaw EnforcementPolitics and GovernmentLegalComputers and InternetFederal Government Federal Trade CommissionAmazononline advertisingauction-rigginglawsuitconsumer protection
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FTC and Washington State Reach $600,000 Settlement With Payment Processor Riverside Payments
Riverside Payments, affiliate Cascade Equipment Leasing and their operators will pay $600,000 to settle FTC and Washington state allegations of hidden fees and near-impossible cancellation terms.
BusinessLaw EnforcementPolitics and GovernmentLegalFinancial MarketsSocial Issues Federal Trade CommissionRiverside Payments Inc.Cascade Equipment Leasing LLCWashington statepayment processingsmall businessessettlement
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FTC Warns 25 Healthcare Plan Marketers and Lead Generators Over Deceptive Advertising
FTC staff send warning letters to 25 companies marketing healthcare plans or generating sales leads, citing enforcement actions against alleged violators as open enrollment season gets underway.
HealthBusinessPolitics and GovernmentLaw EnforcementFederal GovernmentLegalSocial Issues Federal Trade Commissionhealthcare planslead generatorsopen enrollmentwarning lettersconsumer protectiondeceptive advertising
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FTC Removes 19 Imposter Websites and Secures Over $80 Million in Consumer Redress
The FTC says it has taken down 19 websites impersonating the agency and won more than $80 million in consumer redress since its Impersonation Rule took effect in 2024.
Politics and GovernmentLaw EnforcementBusinessFederal GovernmentLegalComputers and Internet Federal Trade CommissionImpersonation Ruleimposter scamsconsumer redressconsumer protectionFTC-impersonation websites
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FTC and Nine States Sue Toast Inc. Over Hidden Fees and Hard-to-Cancel Subscriptions
Federal Trade Commission and nine states sue restaurant software and fintech firm Toast Inc., alleging hidden and unauthorized fees, unwanted add-ons, undelivered "24/7/365" support and difficult cancellations.
BusinessLaw EnforcementPolitics and GovernmentLegalFederal GovernmentState GovernmentsComputers and Internet Toast Inc.Federal Trade Commissionlawsuithidden feesrestaurant softwaresubscription cancellationCalifornia
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FTC Orders Nine Airlines, Ride-Share and Food-Delivery Firms to Hand Over Pricing Data
The Federal Trade Commission has ordered nine major airlines, ride-sharing companies and food-delivery firms to provide detailed information for a study of how personal data is used to set prices and compensation.
BusinessPolitics and GovernmentScience & TechnologyFederal GovernmentEconomyComputers and InternetTransportationSocial Issues Federal Trade Commissionpersonalized pricingcompensationairlinesride-sharingfood deliveryconsumer data
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FTC Calls PlayPower's Abandoned Burke Deal a Win for Consumers
Platinum Equity and PlayPower dropped their bid for playground manufacturer BCI Burke after the FTC and a dozen states sued to block it. The FTC's competition bureau welcomed the move.
BusinessPolitics and GovernmentLaw EnforcementFederal GovernmentLegalTrade Federal Trade CommissionPlayPowerBCI BurkePlatinum EquityDaniel Guarneramergerantitrust
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FTC and 20 States Sue Dollar General Over Deceptive Pricing
The FTC, joined by 20 states, has sued Dollar General, alleging the retailer routinely charged customers more at the register than the prices shown on shelves, tags and ads.
BusinessLaw EnforcementPolitics and GovernmentLegalFederal GovernmentEconomy Dollar GeneralFederal Trade Commissiondeceptive pricingconsumer protectionlawsuitretail
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FTC Sues GovAssist, Entry LLC and Scott Zuckerman Over Government Impersonation Scheme
The FTC is suing GovAssist LLC, Entry LLC and Scott Zuckerman, alleging they impersonated the federal government to deceive travelers seeking passport services through deceptive ads, misleading promises and fake reviews.
Law EnforcementPolitics and GovernmentBusinessFederal GovernmentLegalSocial Issues Federal Trade CommissionGovAssist LLCEntry LLCScott Zuckermangovernment impersonationpassport servicesdeceptive advertising
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Court Permanently Shuts Down Debt Relief Scheme That Impersonated Banks and Government Agencies
A federal court has permanently banned the operators of an alleged debt relief scheme targeting seniors and veterans, entering a $106.8 million judgment and ordering defendants to turn over assets.
Law EnforcementBusinessLegalSocial Issues Federal Trade Commissiondebt relief schemeseniorsveteransimpersonationfederal courtconsumer protection
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FTC Requires Publicis to Keep LiveRamp Open to Rivals in Acquisition Deal
FTC order requires Publicis to give neutral, nondiscriminatory access to LiveRamp products and build firewalls blocking access to LiveRamp customer data before completing its acquisition.
BusinessPolitics and GovernmentScience & TechnologyFederal GovernmentEconomyLegalComputers and Internet Federal Trade CommissionPublicis Groupe S.A.LiveRamp Holdings Inc.acquisitiondigital advertisingmedia agency servicesaudience data services
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FTC Report to Congress Highlights Investment Scams Targeting Older Adults
The FTC has issued its annual report to Congress on protecting older adults, finding that older Americans report losing far more money to investment scams than to any other fraud type.
Politics and GovernmentLaw EnforcementBusinessFederal GovernmentCongressLegalSocial Issues Federal Trade Commissionolder adultsinvestment scamsfraud reportsconsumer protection
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FTC Sues to Block PlayPower's Acquisition of Playground Rival Burke
The FTC has sued to stop Platinum Equity and its portfolio company PlayPower from buying BCI Burke, alleging the deal would raise prices and cut innovation in commercial playground equipment.
BusinessLaw EnforcementPolitics and GovernmentFederal GovernmentLegalEconomy Federal Trade CommissionPlayPowerBCI BurkePlatinum Equitymerger challengeplayground equipmentantitrust
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FTC Sues Ticket Broker REPS & Company Over Illegal Ticket-Buying Tactics
The FTC alleges REPS & Company Inc. bypassed ticket-issuer security measures to buy millions of tickets to high-demand live events, reselling them at a significant profit.
BusinessLaw EnforcementUSALegalComputers and InternetSocial Issues Federal Trade CommissionREPS & Company Inc.ticket brokerlive eventsticket purchasing limitslawsuitconsumer protection
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FTC Sends $9.8 Million to Consumers Harmed by Walmart Wire Transfer Scams
The FTC is paying out more than $9.8 million to consumers harmed by Walmart's alleged failure to stop scammers who used its wire transfer services to take hundreds of millions of dollars.
BusinessLaw EnforcementUSAFederal GovernmentLegalBanking Federal Trade CommissionWalmartwire transfer scamsconsumer refundsscammersProduct Recall
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FTC Sues Digital Forensics Over Alleged Sextortion Relief Scheme
Federal court halts Digital Forensics Corporation and its CEO amid FTC allegations they defrauded consumers out of millions with false sextortion assistance promises and deceptive reviews.
Law EnforcementBusinessLegalUSAFederal Government Federal Trade CommissionDigital Forensics Corporation LLCsextortion assistance servicesdeceptive review practicesFederal courtconsumer fraud
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FTC and Seven States Seek to Hold Martin Shkreli in Contempt Over Alleged Lifetime Pharma Ban Violations
Federal Trade Commission and seven states ask a federal judge to hold Martin Shkreli in contempt, alleging he repeatedly violated a 2022 order banning him from the pharmaceutical industry for life.
Law EnforcementBusinessLegalFederal GovernmentHealth Martin ShkreliFederal Trade Commissioncontemptpharmaceutical industrylifetime ban2022 court orderpharma
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FTC Settles With Greenway Auto Group Over Misleading Price Ads
Greenway Auto Group will now show the actual price consumers must pay in its vehicle ads, settling an FTC lawsuit over prices advertised thousands of dollars below what was charged.
BusinessLaw EnforcementUSALegalGeneral PoliticsFederal Government Federal Trade CommissionGreenway Auto Groupprice transparencyauto dealershipfalse prize mailersconsumer protectionsettlement
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FTC Returns More Than $15.8 Million to Consumers Misled by Cash Advance App Cleo AI
The FTC is sending over $15.8 million to consumers affected by Cleo AI's deceptive cash advance claims and hard-to-cancel subscriptions, following charges over its marketing practices.
BusinessLaw EnforcementScience & TechnologyUSAFederal GovernmentLegalComputers and InternetFinancial Markets Federal Trade CommissionCleo AIcash advance appconsumer refundsdeceptive marketingsubscription cancellationsWashington, DC
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FTC Secures Fair Pricing Protections in Action Against Major Wholesale T-Shirt Distributors
The FTC secured changes to a partnership agreement between Gildan Activewear SRL and distributor S&S Holdings LLC, protecting small businesses and consumers from unfair, discriminatory pricing practices.
BusinessLaw EnforcementPolitics and GovernmentFederal GovernmentLegalTradeEconomy Federal Trade CommissionGildan Activewear SRLS&S Holdings LLCRobinson-Patman Actwholesale T-shirt distributionpricing practicessmall businesses
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FTC Sends $100,000 in Refunds to GOAT Customers Over Deceptive Shipping and Refund Policies
The FTC is mailing more than $100,000 in redress payments to consumers deceived by online marketplace GOAT, which allegedly failed to honor refund policies and broke a shipping rule.
BusinessLaw EnforcementUSAFederal GovernmentLegalEconomy Federal Trade CommissionGOATredress paymentsrefund policiesshipping practicesonline marketplaceconsumer protection
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Premier Martial Arts Franchisor to Pay $1.85 Million in FTC Settlement
Premier Franchising Group and Franchise Fastlane settle FTC charges of deceptive claims and Franchise Rule violations, paying $1.85 million and offering some franchisees cancellation options.
BusinessLaw EnforcementUSALegalFederal GovernmentSocial Issues Federal Trade CommissionPremier Franchising Group LLCFranchise Fastlane LLCPremier Martial ArtsFranchise RuleFranchise settlementConsumer protection
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FTC Warns 24 Major Healthcare Companies Over Deceptive Pricing
FTC Chairman Andrew N. Ferguson sent letters to 24 of the nation's largest healthcare services companies, reminding them they must give patients timely, accurate and complete pricing information.
HealthBusinessPolitics and GovernmentLaw EnforcementFederal GovernmentLegalSocial Issues Federal Trade CommissionAndrew N. Fergusonhealthcare pricingdeceptive pricinghospitalsconsumer protection
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FTC Settlement with Southern Glazer's Targets Illegal Price Discrimination Against Small Businesses
The FTC has secured a settlement with Southern Glazer's Wine and Spirits over alleged illegal price discrimination, aiming to help small retailers compete with large chains.
BusinessLaw EnforcementUSALegalEconomyTrade Federal Trade CommissionSouthern Glazer's Wine and Spirits LLCprice discriminationsettlementsmall businesseswine and spirits distributionretail competition
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FTC and Utah, Nevada Attorneys General Sue Lens.com Over Deceptive Pricing
Federal Trade Commission and two state attorneys general allege Lens.com hid a bogus "taxes & fees" charge that often doubles the price of contact lenses for consumers.
BusinessLaw EnforcementUSALegalGeneral PoliticsComputers and Internet Federal Trade CommissionLens.com Inc.deceptive pricingcontact lensesUtah Attorney GeneralNevada Attorney Generallawsuit
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Social Security Administration Warns of Fast-Growing QR Code and Barcode Payment Scam
SSA OIG alerts the public to scammers posing as police or federal agents who demand payment via barcodes and QR codes loaded with money at retail stores.
Law EnforcementScience & TechnologyUSAFederal GovernmentComputers and InternetSocial IssuesLegal Social Security AdministrationQR code phishingbarcode scamOffice of the Inspector Generalgift card scamvoice cloningFederal Trade Commission
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FTC and States Secure Settlement With Corteva to Lower Pesticide Prices for Farmers
The FTC and a coalition of state attorneys general have reached a settlement with pesticide maker Corteva Inc. that is expected to bring lower pesticide prices for American farmers.
BusinessPolitics and GovernmentLaw EnforcementUSAFederal GovernmentLegalAgricultureTrade Federal Trade CommissionCorteva Inc.pesticide pricesantitrust casesettlement agreementAmerican farmersstate attorneys general
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FTC Amends Rules of Practice, Creates American Competition Enforcement Division
The FTC has amended its Rules of Practice to align with the FTC Act and reflect organizational changes, including the creation of the American Competition Enforcement Division, and to fix minor errors.
Politics and GovernmentBusinessUSAFederal GovernmentLegalGeneral Politics Federal Trade CommissionRules of PracticeFTC ActAmerican Competition Enforcement DivisionFederal RegisterGovernment Regulation