MilConsumer Blog Feed

“If you’re nearsighted, farsighted, or have an astigmatism, LasikPlus can help fix your vision for only $250.” That’s just one example of how LCA-Vision – consumers may know the company as LasikPlus or Joffe MediCenter – promoted its services to prospective customers. But according to a $1.25 million proposed settlement with the FTC , the company was eying its pricing through rose-colored glasses, given that only 6.5% of consumers who receive a...

“I’ll show you how you can potentially make $24,840 dollars – or more – every single week. With … quick simple … trades that require zero market knowledge or trading experience.” A peek at a weekly paystub may explain why people were intrigued by Florida-based WealthPress’ promise that subscribing to one of the company’s services would let them in on a “system” for making big money trading in the financial markets. But according to the FTC...

It’s right up there with eating more vegetables and hitting the gym. A top New Year’s resolution for many Americans is keeping a closer eye on their personal finances – a goal more important than ever, given the economic impact of the pandemic. Chances are you know someone who is searching for a job, looking for a place to live, applying for a loan, or facing another consequential dollars-and-cents decision. Help them spot, avoid, and report...

Weather emergencies don’t take a winter vacation. Scammers don’t either. Just like you, they’re watching the weather reports and preparing for storms – and they’re counting on catching you unawares. Winter Storm Elliott affected the U.S. from coast to coast. The storm’s chilling effects from record cold and snow to the loss of electricity from high winds downing trees and power lines, were felt across much of the nation. If your business has been...

For a substantial segment of the buying public, environmental claims are highly material. That’s why green consumers see red when companies use misleading representations to pitch their products and services. To protect consumers from deception in the marketplace – and to protect honest businesses from shady claims by competitors – the FTC has taken law enforcement action against false or unsubstantiated environmental promise s. For companies...

The FTC’s $275 million proposed settlement with Epic Games, owner of Fortnite , alleges the company violated the law by collecting personal information from kids under 13 without parental consent and by enabling voice and text chat by default – an unfair practice that put kids and teens in risky contact with strangers. But to borrow a phrase from advertisers, “But wait! There’s more!” Much, much more in the form of a separate $245 million...

Two separate settlements with Epic Games, owner of the massively popular online game Fortnite , send the unmistakable message to business that the FTC means business when it comes to enforcing online protections for kids and fighting back against dark patterns designed to rack up charges without consumers’ express consent. If that isn’t enough to make companies take notice, perhaps these numbers will. Epic will pay a record-shattering $275...

Looking for advice on substantiating your company’s advertising claims? FTC staff just issued a new Health Products Compliance Guidance publication that merits your careful attention. You may be wondering if the publication reflects major changes to the FTC’s 1998 guidance . As we’ll explain, the answer to that question is yes – and no. So turn off your phone, pour a cup of cocoa, and spend some time with what may be one of the most important...

The eyes should have it: a copy of the prescription for their eyeglasses. That’s a right protected by the Ophthalmic Practice Rule , also known as the Eyeglass Rule to the millions of people who have benefited from the specs -tacular options it has opened for them over the years. The Rule requires prescribers to give patients a copy of their prescription immediately after an exam to determine the refraction of the patient’s eyes, even if the...

Ask someone to picture the typical person who has experienced a scam and they may think of an older consumer taken in by a fast-talking fraudster . Regardless of the image they create, the results of the FTC’s latest Consumer Protection Data Spotlight suggest their impression may not be accurate. That’s because reports in the FTC’s Consumer Sentinel contradict some stereotypes about how fraud affects our communities and evoke a more nuanced...