Announced Actions for March 9, 2001

The Commission has approved the filing of a notice of dismissal regarding a defendant in the following matter: FTC v. Ty Anderson, et al. The complaint in this matter was announced in October 2000 as part of the multi-agency law enforcement sweep called "Operation Top Ten Dot Cons," and alleged that four defendants were involved in the deceptive use of modem dialing software. The software disconnected computer users from their usual Internet Service Providers and reconnected them to defendants' Web sites via an international long distance call. The FTC alleged that the defendants caused the telephone line subscribers to be billed for the computer users' access without obtaining proper authorization from the line subscribers. The notice of dismissal relates to Ty Anderson, one of the defendants allegedly involved in this activity. Through this action, all charges filed against him for violations of the FTC Act will be dismissed. The Commission vote to approve the notice of dismissal was 4-0, with Commissioner Sheila Anthony not participating. (FTC File No. X010012; staff contact is Thomas P. Rowan, Northwest Regional Office, 206-220-4475; see press release dated October 31, 2000.)

Toll-free information line for the Associates case:

On March 6, 2001, the Commission filed a complaint in federal court alleging that Associates First Capital Corporation and Associates Corporation of North America (collectively, The Associates) violated federal law by deceiving consumers in loan marketing and credit insurance sales, using abusive collections practices and violating other credit laws. Since announcing the case, the FTC has received many calls from individuals nationwide. Consumers and others with information regarding The Associates as it relates to this case can call the FTC, toll-free, at: 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357). (See press release dated March 6, 2001.)

Consent agreement given final approval:

Following a public comment period, the Commission has made final a consent order regarding the following: Indigo Investment Systems, Inc. The Commission vote to finalize the consent agreement was 5-0. (FTC File No. 002-3015; staff contact is Janet M. Evans, Bureau of Consumer Protection, 202-326-2125; see press release dated January 25, 2001.)

Copies of the documents mentioned in this release are available from the FTC's Web site at http://www.ftc.gov and also from the FTC's Consumer Response Center, Room 130, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20580. The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop and avoid them. To file a complaint, or to get free information on any of 150 consumer topics, call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357), or use the complaint form. The FTC enters Internet, telemarketing and other fraud-related complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies worldwide.

(FYI 12.2001.MJK)