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. http://www.ftc.gov/images/seal01c.gif en-us Federal Government Wed, 8 Feb 2012 11:00:00 EST Wed, 8 Feb 2012 11:00:00 EST Marketers Settle Charges They Deceived More Than 13,000 Consumers http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2012/02/afl_financial.shtm Tue, 7 Feb 2012 13:00:00 EST Agency Sends Letter to Marketers of Six Apps for Background Screening http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2012/02/mobileapps.shtm Fri, 3 Feb 2012 11:00:00 EST Allegedly Charged Illegal Up-Front Fee, Took Consumers' Money Without Their Consent http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2012/02/platinum.shtm Wed, 1 Feb 2012 13:00:00 EST Defendants Ordered to Pay Almost $10 Million; Billed Consumers Without Their Consent http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2012/02/moneymaker.shtm Wed, 1 Feb 2012 11:00:00 EST Cards Failed to Deliver the Advertised Minutes http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2012/02/millennium.shtm Wed, 1 Feb 2012 11:00:00 EST Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved a final order settling charges that Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings' (LabCorp) proposed acquisition of rival firm Orchid Cellmark Inc. (Orchid) would have illegally reduced competition in the U.S. market for paternity testing services provided to government agencies. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2012/02/labcorp.shtm Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:00:00 EST Agency Cautions Consumers: Be Wary of Job Offers that Charge Fees http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2012/01/nsg.shtm Mon, 30 Jan 2012 10:00:00 EST Firm Also Will Notify Consumers with "Time-Barred" Debt That It Will Not Sue to Collect http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2012/01/asset.shtm Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:00:00 EST Deal Would Lead to Higher Costs for Medicare Patients and Taxpayers, Agency Alleges http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2012/01/omnicare.shtm Fri, 27 Jan 2012 16:00:00 EST As part of its continuing effort to protect consumers from financial fraud and keep them informed, the Federal Trade Commission will be joined by the U.S. Department of Justice to discuss a major enforcement action involving the debt collection industry. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2012/01/debt-ma.shtm Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:00:00 EST Deal Would Lead to Higher Costs for Medicare Patients and Taxpayers, Agency Alleges http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2012/01/omnicare.shtm Thu, 26 Jan 2012 11:00:00 EST The Federal Trade Commission will host a workshop on April 26, 2012, to examine the use of mobile payments in the marketplace and how this emerging technology impacts consumers. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2012/01/mobilepayments.shtm Wed, 25 Jan 2012 13:00:00 EST As part of the Federal Trade Commission's systematic review of all current FTC rules and guides, the FTC is seeking public comment on the continuing need for, as well as the benefits, costs, and impact of, the Wool Products Labeling Rules. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2012/01/woolproducts.shtm Wed, 25 Jan 2012 11:00:00 EST Alleged Fraudulent Affiliate Marketers will Surrender Assets under Settlements http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2012/01/fakenews.shtm Wed, 25 Jan 2012 11:00:00 EST The Federal Trade Commission seeks public comment on an application by Healthcare Technology Holdings, Inc., which is requesting approval to sell two audit businesses of SDI Health LLC to inVentiv Health, Inc. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2012/01/healthcare.shtm Tue, 24 Jan 2012 13:00:00 EST The immigration services business will be permanently off limits to an operation that allegedly posed as the federal government and tricked people into paying up to $2,500 for immigration forms, under settlements with the Federal Trade Commission. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2012/01/immigration.shtm Tue, 24 Jan 2012 11:00:00 EST The Federal Trade Commission announced it has revised the thresholds that determine whether companies are required to notify federal antitrust authorities about a transaction under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2012/01/hsr.shtm Mon, 23 Jan 2012 11:00:00 EST Memorandum of Understanding Creates Framework for Strong Coordination and Cooperation http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2012/01/ftccfpb.shtm Fri, 20 Jan 2012 11:00:00 EST Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved an application by Universal Health Services, Inc. to sell what are known as the Puerto Rico Divestiture Assets, including Hospital San Juan Capestrano and its affiliated outpatient centers, to Donald R. Dizney and David A. Dizney, through two companies that are members of the United Medical Corporation. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2012/01/uhs.shtm Wed, 18 Jan 2012 13:00:00 EST Allegedly Tricked Consumers Into Buying High-Fee, Risky Investments on Credit http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2012/01/preciousmetals.shtm Wed, 18 Jan 2012 11:00:00 EST At the request of the Federal Trade Commission, a U.S. district court has frozen the assets of a telemarketing operation that allegedly charged consumers hundreds of dollars based on bogus promises to either provide them with low-interest credit or refund their money. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2012/01/premier.shtm Fri, 13 Jan 2012 11:00:00 EST Proposed Changes Would Expedite Investigatory Processes, Keep Pace with Technology http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2012/01/part2rules.shtm Fri, 13 Jan 2012 11:00:00 EST The Federal Trade Commission has approved Rule 2.17, a new component in the agency's Rules of Practice. Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved a final order settling charges that Pool Corporation, the largest distributor of swimming pool products in the United States, used threats and coercion to stop manufacturers from selling pool products to PoolCorp's competitors. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2012/01/ftcpoolcorp.shtm Thu, 12 Jan 2012 11:00:00 EST Many Seniors and Disabled Consumers Hit With Higher Prices for Prescription Drugs http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2012/01/cvs.shtm Wed, 11 Jan 2012 11:00:00 EST Deal Allegedly Would Have Reduced Competition in the Market for Propane Exchange Cylinders http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2012/01/amerigas.shtm Tue, 10 Jan 2012 11:00:00 EST Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved a modified final order settling charges that Healthcare Technology Holdings, Inc.'s proposed acquisition of SDI Health LLC, through the former's subsidiary IMS Health Inc., would be anticompetitive and likely would increase prices for market research products in the health care industry. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2012/01/sdi.shtm Mon, 9 Jan 2012 11:00:00 EST The Federal Trade Commission announced that an operation that marketed acai berry supplements, "colon cleansers," and other products using allegedly fraudulent free trial offers and phony endorsements from Oprah Winfrey and Rachael Ray will pay $1.5 million as part of a settlement. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2012/01/centralcoast.shtm Fri, 6 Jan 2012 11:00:00 EST The Federal Trade Commission has approved the sale of the former Penn Traffic supermarket located at 404 West Morris Street in Bath, New York, to Moran Foods, Inc., d/b/a Save-A-Lot, Ltd. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2012/01/tops.shtm Thu, 5 Jan 2012 15:00:00 EST Allegedly Debited Millions of Dollars from Consumers' Bank Accounts Without Their Consent http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2012/01/landmark.shtm Thu, 5 Jan 2012 14:00:00 EST A membership reward service aimed at consumers trying to save money for college has agreed to settle FTC charges and will be barred from its allegedly deceptive practice of using a web-browser toolbar to collect consumers' personal information without adequately disclosing the extent of the information it is collecting. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2012/01/upromise.shtm Thu, 5 Jan 2012 11:00:00 EST Concludes That Deal Would Likely Increase Health Care Costs to Toledo Area Employers, Employees http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2012/01/promedica.shtm Wed, 4 Jan 2012 13:00:00 EST Agency Files Complaint Against McWane, Inc. and Star Pipe Products, Ltd.; Settles Charges Against Sigma Corporation http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2012/01/mcwane.shtm Fri, 30 Dec 2011 11:00:00 EST The Federal Trade Commission has approved a biennial report to Congress focusing on the use of the Do Not Call Registry by both consumers and businesses over the past two years, as well as the impact that new technologies have had on the Registry. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2011/12/dnc.shtm Thu, 29 Dec 2011 11:00:00 EST Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved an application by Universal Health Services, Inc. (UHS) to sell its Las Vegas, Nevada, psychiatric facilities, including Montevista Hospital and Red Rock Behavioral Health Hospital, to Strategic Behavioral Health, LLC. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2011/12/uhs.shtm Wed, 28 Dec 2011 15:30:00 EST In response to requests from stakeholders, the Federal Trade Commission has extended the deadlines for the public to submit comments in two different proceedings. The deadline to submit comments in the agency's review of its Textile Rules will be extended 30 days until February 2. The deadline for public comments on new energy labeling requirements for residential heating and cooling equipment will be extended until February 6. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2011/12/commentextend.shtm Tue, 27 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST Brief Emphasizes the Funeral Rule's Goals of Protecting Consumers and Promoting Competition http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2011/12/amicus.shtm Fri, 23 Dec 2011 10:00:00 EST Federal Trade Commission staff is seeking public comments on the issues raised at a recent FTC workshop exploring facial recognition technology and the privacy and security implications raised by its increasing use. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2011/12/facefacts.shtm Wed, 21 Dec 2011 14:00:00 EST Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has finalized a settlement order with online advertiser ScanScout, which the FTC alleged deceptively claimed that consumers could opt out of receiving targeted ads by changing their browser settings. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2011/12/scanscout.shtm Tue, 20 Dec 2011 13:00:00 EST The Federal Trade Commission reached a settlement putting a stop to the phony claims of marketers who told consumers their fuel economy device could boost automobile gas mileage by at least 50 percent and "turn any vehicle into a hybrid." http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2011/12/dutchman.shtm Tue, 20 Dec 2011 11:30:00 EST The Federal Trade Commission is pleased to announce that Jessica Rich, currently a Deputy Director of the agency's Bureau of Consumer Protection, will take over as head of the Bureau's Division of Financial Practices. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2011/12/bcpersonnel.shtm Mon, 19 Dec 2011 15:34:00 EST The heads of the antitrust agencies of the United States, Canada, and Mexico – Federal Trade Commission Chairman Jon Leibowitz, Acting Assistant Attorney General Sharis A. Pozen of the Department of Justice's Antitrust Division, Canadian Commissioner of Competition Melanie Aitken, and President Eduardo Perez Motta of the Mexican Federal Competition Commission – met today to reaffirm their commitment to effective enforcement cooperation. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2011/12/international.shtm Mon, 19 Dec 2011 11:30:00 EST Allegedly Violated the Do Not Call Registry, Disguised Caller ID http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2011/12/roycox.shtm Mon, 19 Dec 2011 11:00:00 EST At the request of the Federal Trade Commission, a federal court has ordered one of the individuals behind a payday lending scheme and two companies he controlled to pay $294,536 for illegally trying to garnish borrowers’ wages, and for using other illegal debt-collection practices. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2011/12/getecash.shtm Fri, 16 Dec 2011 16:30:00 EST Letter Urges ICANN to Implement Pilot Program, Take New Steps to Protect Consumers. The Federal Trade Commission today sent a letter to the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), the organization that oversees Internet domain names, expressing concern that the organization's plan to dramatically expand the domain name system could leave consumers more vulnerable to online fraud and undermine law enforcers' ability to track down online scammers. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2011/12/icann.shtm Fri, 16 Dec 2011 13:30:00 EST Brian L. Roberts, the Chief Executive Officer of Comcast Corporation, has agreed to pay a $500,000 penalty to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that he violated the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvement Act (HSR Act) in connection with his acquisitions of Comcast stock between 2007 and 2009. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2011/12/brianroberts.shtm Fri, 16 Dec 2011 11:00:00 EST An Illinois-based telemarketing firm will pay $500,000 to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that it interfered with consumers' requests to be placed on company-specific do not call lists and transmitted deceptive Caller ID names. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2011/12/americall.shtm Thu, 15 Dec 2011 15:30:00 EST Two Firms Control a Dominant Share of North American Markets for Key Industrial Equipment Used to Apply Paint and Liquid Finishes http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2011/12/graco.shtm Thu, 15 Dec 2011 13:30:00 EST Six defendants have agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that they participated in a fraudulent mortgage modification and foreclosure relief scheme. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2011/12/ushomeowners.shtm Wed, 14 Dec 2011 11:00:00 EST A federal judge has ruled in favor of the Federal Trade Commission, finding supplement marketer Lane Labs-USA Inc., and its president Andrew Lane in contempt of a court order that bars them from making deceptive health claims. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2011/12/lanelabs.shtm Tue, 13 Dec 2011 11:00:00 EST Federal Trade Commission has approved an application by the Divestiture Trustee in the Tops Markets matter, The Food Partners requesting a 90-day extension of the deadline to sell one former Penn Traffic supermarket located at 404 West Morris Street in Bath, New York. The market for fuel ethanol in the United States remains unconcentrated, with 164 firms nationwide either producing ethanol or likely to be in production in the next 12 to 18 months, according to the Federal Trade Commission's 2011 report on the state of U.S. ethanol production. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2011/12/tops_ethanol.shtm Mon, 12 Dec 2011 12:30:00 EST Protecting competition in the market for three topical dermatology drugs, the Federal Trade Commission has approved orders requiring Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc. to divest three drugs used to treat different skin ailments, as conditions of acquiring Ortho Dermatologics, Inc. from Johnson and Johnson, and Dermik Laboratories, Inc. from Sanofi. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2011/12/valeant.shtm Fri, 9 Dec 2011 18:30:00 EST The Director of the Federal Trade Commission's Bureau of Competition, Richard Feinstein, issued the following statement regarding today's ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit in the Matter of Phoebe Putney Health System Inc., in which the FTC challenged Phoebe Putney's proposed acquisition of rival Palmyra Park Hospital, Inc. from HCA, in Albany, Georgia. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2011/12/phoebeputney.shtm Fri, 9 Dec 2011 11:00:00 EST Starting this week, more than 300,000 consumers who were victims of a "scareware" scam will receive refunds resulting from Federal Trade Commission settlements with Innovative Marketing and other parties involved in the scheme. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2011/12/rebates.shtm Thu, 8 Dec 2011 13:15:00 EST Settlement Protects Competition, Requires LabCorp to Sell Paternity Testing Assets http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2011/12/labcorp.shtm Wed, 7 Dec 2011 10:00:00 EST Final Opinion and Order Uphold Initial Decision Issued in July 2011 http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2011/12/ncdental.shtm Wed, 7 Dec 2011 10:00:00 EST In testimony today before a U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Subcommittee, the Federal Trade Commission detailed its work to promote competition and benefit consumers, including preventing anticompetitive mergers, restricting "pay-for-delay" pharmaceutical agreements that increase prescription drug costs, stopping anticompetitive hospital mergers, and promoting competition in the high-technology and energy markets. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2011/12/antitrust.shtm Thu, 1 Dec 2011 11:00:00 EST As part of its ongoing crackdown on deceptive health claims, the Federal Trade Commission has filed a complaint jointly with the State of Connecticut, seeking to permanently stop a Connecticut-based operation that allegedly used fake news websites to promote their products, made deceptive weight-loss claims, and told consumers they could receive free trials of acai berry and "colon cleanse" products, and only have to pay the nominal cost of shipping and handling. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2011/12/leanspa.shtm Wed, 30 Nov 2011 11:00:00 EST The Federal Trade Commission today issued the National Do Not Call Registry Data Book for Fiscal Year 2011. The FTC's National Do Not Call Registry provides consumers with an easy way to stop unwanted telemarketing calls. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2011/11/dnc.shtm Tue, 29 Nov 2011 17:00:00 EST Federal Trade Commission Chairman Jon Leibowitz and Acting Assistant Attorney General Sharis Pozen of the Department of Justice's Antitrust Division today met with a delegation from China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) to discuss antitrust merger enforcement. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2011/11/chinacommerce.shtm Tue, 29 Nov 2011 14:00:00 EST The Federal Trade Commission is seeking public comments on a proposal to require information from alcoholic beverage manufacturers for a follow-up study of the self-regulatory efforts of the alcoholic beverage industry.  http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2011/11/alcoholstudy.shtm Tue, 29 Nov 2011 12:30:00 EST The social networking service Facebook has agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that it deceived consumers by telling them they could keep their information on Facebook private, and then repeatedly allowing it to be shared and made public. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2011/11/privacysettlement.shtm Tue, 29 Nov 2011 12:00:00 EST Telephone press conference for media members only http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2011/11/privacysettlement_ma.shtm Tue, 29 Nov 2011 10:00:00 EST Checks Being Mailed This Week to Consumers Nationwide http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2011/11/express.shtm Mon, 28 Nov 2011 11:00:00 EST Three Internet marketers of cosmetic, "circle" contact lenses have agreed to resolve Federal Trade Commission charges by entering into settlements that will put a stop to their alleged illegal practice of selling lenses to consumers without prescriptions. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2011/11/circlelens.shtm Fri, 25 Nov 2011 13:00:00 EST Federal Trade Commission staff, in comments to the Maine Board of Dental Examiners, stated that dental hygienist rules proposed by the Board, designed to implement a pilot project to test expanded access to dental care in underserved areas of Maine, contain restrictions that could undermine the project's purpose and deny consumers the benefits of competition among providers of dental health services. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2011/11/mainedental.shtm Tue, 22 Nov 2011 15:00:00 EST Allegedly Provided Technology for Clients to Violate the Do Not Call Registry, Mask Caller ID http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2011/11/sonkei.shtm Tue, 22 Nov 2011 14:00:00 EST The Federal Trade Commission has named an additional defendant as part of its case against a telemarketing operation that allegedly conned senior citizens into buying precious metals on credit without clearly disclosing significant costs and risks, including the likelihood that consumers would have to pay more money or lose their investment. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2011/11/preciousmetals.shtm Tue, 22 Nov 2011 11:00:00 EST The Federal Trade Commission has approved changes to its Business Opportunity Rule that will ensure that consumers have the information they need when considering buying a work-at-home program or any other business opportunity. The changes simplify the disclosures that business opportunity sellers must provide to prospective buyers. The simplified disclosures will help prospective purchasers assess the risks of buying a business opportunity, while minimizing compliance burdens on businesses. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2011/11/busopp.shtm Tue, 22 Nov 2011 11:00:00 EST The Federal Trade Commission is mailing hundreds of refund checks to consumers who were defrauded by an operation that allegedly sent them counterfeit cashier's checks and made false promises of large cash prizes. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2011/11/cashcorner.shtm Mon, 21 Nov 2011 11:00:00 EST Settlement Prohibits Pool Corporation from Using Threats and Coercion to Stop Manufacturers From Selling Products to Competitors http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2011/11/pool.shtm Mon, 21 Nov 2011 11:00:00 EST Researchers, industry representatives, consumer advocates, and privacy professionals will take part in the upcoming workshop, "Face Facts: A Forum on Facial Recognition Technology" to be held December 8, 2011 at the FTC Conference Center at 601 New Jersey Ave. N.W. in Washington, D.C. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2011/11/facefacts.shtm Fri, 18 Nov 2011 13:00:00 EST Alleges Acquisition Will Increase Health Care Costs for Consumers, Businesses http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2011/11/rockford.shtm Fri, 18 Nov 2011 11:00:00 EST The Federal Trade Commission has extended until December 23, 2011, the deadline for the public to submit comments on proposed amendments to the Children's Online Privacy Protection Rule, which gives parents control over what personal information websites and online services may collect from children under 13. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2011/11/coppa.shtm Fri, 18 Nov 2011 10:00:00 EST The Federal Trade Commission is seeking public comment on new energy labeling requirements for residential furnaces, central air conditioners, and heat pumps, to help consumers and businesses install equipment appropriate for their location under the Department of Energy's new regional efficiency standards. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2011/11/energylabel.shtm Thu, 17 Nov 2011 10:00:00 EST The Federal Trade Commission is seeking public comments on an application filed by the Divestiture Trustee in the Tops Markets matter seeking approval to sell one former Penn Traffic supermarket to Moran Foods, Inc., Save-A-Lot, Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of SuperValu. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2011/11/tops.shtm Thu, 17 Nov 2011 10:00:00 EST The Federal Trade Commission has issued its Fiscal Year (FY) 2011 Performance and Accountability Report. The report shows American taxpayers how the FTC has managed its resources, highlights major accomplishments in fulfilling the FTC's two core goals of protecting consumers and promoting competition, and outlines plans for addressing future challenges. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2011/11/par.shtm Wed, 16 Nov 2011 13:00:00 EST The Federal Trade Commission has approved an application by global chemical company BASF SE to extend a manufacturing agreement, entered into in compliance with a 2009 settlement order, which imposed certain requirements on BASF's acquisition of rival Ciba Holding, Inc. The Federal Trade Commission has approved an application by ConocoPhillips to reopen and modify a final FTC order that settled the agency's competition concerns arising from Conoco Inc.'s 2002 merger with Phillips Petroleum Company. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2011/11/basf_conoco.shtm Wed, 16 Nov 2011 11:00:00 EST The Federal Trade Commission has obtained a settlement against the remaining defendants in an allegedly fraudulent mortgage modification scheme that will permanently ban them from the mortgage assistance business and force them to return ill-gotten gains to consumers. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2011/11/hopenow.shtm Wed, 16 Nov 2011 11:00:00 EST The Federal Trade Commission will hold a public hearing on December 6, 2011, to obtain input on whether to amend the agency's Name Guide that lists the common animal names that are allowed on fur labels. The hearing is part of a review of the Name Guide required by Congress under the Truth in Fur Labeling Act of 2010 and the Federal Trade Commission's systematic review of all current FTC rules and guides. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2011/11/furlabeling.shtm Wed, 16 Nov 2011 10:00:00 EST On Thursday, the Federal Trade Commission will host the third in a series of roundtables around the country to gather information on consumers' experiences in the leasing of motor vehicles at dealerships. The roundtable also will address what has been learned about auto sales, financing and leasing at all of the roundtables; what consumer and business education initiatives would be useful; and any practices that may harm consumers significantly or that are widespread. The event will be held November 17, 2011, in the FTC's Conference Center, 601 New Jersey Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2011/11/autodealer_ma.shtm Tue, 15 Nov 2011 14:30:00 EST Hearing of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. Federal Trade Commission Chairman Jon Leibowitz delivered the following statement at a hearing today before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation to consider his nomination for a second term on the Commission http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2011/11/chairmanstatement.shtm Mon, 14 Nov 2011 11:00:00 EST Court Also Bans Defendants from Marketing Numerous Products and Services Related to Their Alleged Scam. The Federal Trade Commission has won a $29.8 million judgment against the remaining defendants behind a deceptive marketing operation known as Grant Connect. The court's order also permanently bans the defendants from promoting a variety of products and services similar to those they deceptively pitched to consumers around the country. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2011/11/grantconnect.shtm Mon, 14 Nov 2011 11:00:00 EST The Federal Trade Commission welcomed the approval by the forum on Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) of a new initiative to harmonize cross-border data privacy protection among members of APEC. The initiative is designed to enhance the protection of consumer data that moves between the United States and other APEC members, at a time when more consumer information is moving across national borders. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2011/11/apec.shtm Thu, 10 Nov 2011 14:15:00 EST Universal Health Services, Inc. (UHS) is seeking the approval of the Federal Trade Commission to sell its Las Vegas psychiatric facilities, including Montevista Hospital and Red Rock Behavioral Health Hospital, to Strategic Behavioral Health, LLC. UHS is required to sell the assets under an FTC order settling charges that its 2010 acquisition of Psychiatric Solutions, Inc. as originally proposed was anticompetitive. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2011/11/uhs.shtm Wed, 9 Nov 2011 13:00:00 EST Court Rules Defendants Must Comply with its Preliminary Injunction Barring Advance Fees. A federal judge has found a telemarketer and his company in contempt for violating a court order barring them from charging consumers in advance for a service that purportedly would help consumers recover money they lost in previous telemarketing scams. The contempt order stems from an action the FTC initiated in March 2011 as part of a multi-agency law enforcement initiative against scammers who prey upon financially strapped consumers. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2011/11/businessrecovery.shtm Tue, 8 Nov 2011 13:00:00 EST Online advertiser ScanScout has agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that it deceptively claimed that consumers could opt out of receiving targeted ads by changing their computer's web browser settings to block cookies. In fact, ScanScout used Flash cookies, which browser settings could not block. The proposed settlement bars misrepresentations about the company's data-collection practices and consumers' ability to control collection of their data. It also requires that ScanScout take steps to improve disclosure of their data collection practices and to provide a user-friendly mechanism that allows consumers to opt out of being tracked. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2011/11/scanscout.shtm Tue, 8 Nov 2011 12:30:00 EST The operator of www.skidekids.com, a website that advertises itself as the "Facebook and Myspace for Kids," has agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that he collected personally information from approximately 5,600 children without obtaining prior parental consent, in violation of the Commission's Children's Online Privacy Protection Act ("COPPA") Rule. The FTC's complaint also charges the operator, Jones O. Godwin, with making deceptive claims in Skid-e-kids' privacy policy about the site's information collection practices. The proposed settlement will bar future violations of COPPA and misrepresentations about the collection, use and disclosure of children's information. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2011/11/skidekids.shtm Mon, 7 Nov 2011 14:00:00 EST Telemarketers who peddled medical "insurance" that was actually a bogus medical discount plan have agreed to settle charges by the FTC and Attorney General of Tennessee that they violated federal and state laws. The settlement bars the defendants from engaging in any health care or discount program business; misrepresenting elements of any business they engage in; collecting payment from any of their previous "customers"; and, violating the Telemarketing Sales Rule, including calling consumers on the Do Not Call Registry. It also imposes a judgment of $15.7 million, which is partially suspended. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2011/11/usbenefits.shtm Thu, 3 Nov 2011 11:00:00 EST One is Banned from Marketing Dietary Supplements, Another from Making Weight-loss Claims. As part of its ongoing efforts to stop bogus health claims, the Federal Trade Commission settled charges brought against three people and two companies for deceptively advertising a supposed weight-loss supplement ingredient. One defendant is banned from making any weight-loss claims related to foods, drugs, or dietary supplements and must turn over a vacation home and other assets to the FTC; another is banned from the dietary supplement business; and all defendants are barred from making any more deceptive claims. The marketers were part of a scheme that supplied manufacturers of weight-loss supplements with a substance they claimed was a derivative of the plant Hoodia gordonii ("hoodia"), which is native to southern Africa. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2011/11/stella.shtm Thu, 3 Nov 2011 10:00:00 EST The Federal Trade Commission is mailing 188 refund checks to small businesses and non-profits that were defrauded by two telemarketing operations that allegedly tricked them into paying for business directory listings they did not order. The FTC alleged that Stephane LaChapelle and Integration Media Inc., doing business as GoAm Media; and Karl Garon, Claude Berthiaume, and 6253547 Canada Inc., doing business as The Official Yellow Pages and other entities, violated the FTC Act. According to the complaints in the two cases, the defendants led the businesses and non-profits to believe they had a pre-existing relationship with the defendants, and falsely claimed that the organizations had agreed to buy, and owed money for, directory listing services. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2011/11/goammedia.shtm Tue, 1 Nov 2011 11:00:00 EST Whether your gift list is ready or you're wondering how long you can wait to start your holiday shopping, the Federal Trade Commission has online tips to help you get the best deals. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2011/11/holidayshopping.shtm Tue, 1 Nov 2011 10:00:00 EST As part of the Federal Trade Commission's systematic review of all current FTC rules and guides, the FTC is seeking public comment on its Textile Rules, which require that textiles sold in the United States carry labels disclosing the generic names and percentages by weight of the fibers in the product, the manufacturer or marketer name, and the country where the product was processed or manufactured. The FTC's Textile Rules implement the Textile Fiber Products Identification Act. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2011/11/textilerules.shtm