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American Future Systems, Inc.
In May 2020, the FTC sued the operators of a Pennsylvania-based telemarketing scheme, alleging that they charged organizations such as businesses, schools, fire and police departments, and non-profits for books and newsletter subscriptions they never ordered. The agency’s complaint also names the defendants behind a New York-based debt collection operation, alleging that they illegally threatened the organizations if they failed to pay for the unordered merchandise.
In April 2023, International Credit Recovery, Inc. (ICR), officer Richard Diorio, Jr., and manager Cynthia Powell, have agreed to a permanent ban from the debt collection industry after being charged with engaging in bogus debt collection efforts against businesses and non-profits.
In March 2024, the district court ruled against the FTC on its claims. In June 2024, the district court denied the FTC's post-trial motion to alter or amend judgment.
Type of Action
Federal
Last Updated
FTC Matter/File Number
172 3085
Case Status
Pending
FTC Orders Shut Down Unauthorized Billing and Credit Card Laundering Schemes, Require Turn Over of Assets Valued at Approximately $40 Million
Date
At the request of the Federal Trade Commission, a federal court today approved settlements that will require the forfeiture of assets valued at about $40 million from a group of defendants who...
FTC Acts to Stop Unauthorized Billing Scams That Have Taken in Over $200 Million from Consumers
Date
A U.S. district court in central Florida today unsealed a Federal Trade Commission complaint charging two related groups of defendants with defrauding consumers nationwide by enrolling them, without...
Intuit Inc., In the Matter of (TurboTax)
The Federal Trade Commission is taking action against Intuit Inc., the maker of the popular TurboTax tax filing software, by issuing an administrative complaint against the company for deceiving consumers with bogus advertisements pitching “free” tax filing that millions of consumers could not use. In addition, to prevent ongoing harm to consumers rushing to file their taxes, the Commission also filed a federal district court complaint asking a court to order Intuit to halt its deceptive advertising immediately.
The Commission alleges that the company’s ubiquitous advertisements touting their supposedly “free” products—some of which have consisted almost entirely of the word “free” spoken repeatedly—mislead consumers into believing that they can file their taxes for free with TurboTax. In fact, most tax filers can’t use the company’s “free” service because it is not available to millions of taxpayers, such as those who get a 1099 form for work in the gig economy, or those who earn farm income. In 2020, for example, approximately two-thirds of tax filers could not use TurboTax’s free product.
Type of Action
Administrative
Last Updated
FTC Matter/File Number
192 3119
Docket Number
9408
Case Status
Closed
FTC Issues Opinion Finding that TurboTax Maker Intuit Inc. Engaged in Deceptive Practices
Date
The Federal Trade Commission has issued an Opinion and Final Order that Intuit Inc., the maker of the popular TurboTax tax filing software, engaged in deceptive advertising in violation of the FTC Act...
Triangle Media Corporation
The operators of a worldwide negative option scam have agreed to settle FTC charges that they deceptively advertised “risk-free” trial offers for only the cost of shipping and handling, but then charged consumers full price for the trial product and enrolled them in expensive, ongoing continuity plans without their knowledge or consent.
Type of Action
Federal
Last Updated
FTC Matter/File Number
172 3108
FTC Returns More Than $973,000 to Consumers Charged by NutraClick LLC for Unwanted Monthly Subscriptions for Supplements and Beauty Products
Date
The Federal Trade Commission is sending payments totaling more than $973,000 to 17,064 people who lost money after NutraClick LLC automatically enrolled them in unwanted membership programs for...
Federal Trade Commission Returns More Than $5.4 Million to Consumers
Date
The Federal Trade Commission is sending 176,028 checks, totaling more than $5.4 million, to consumers who were charged for “free trial” offers for cosmetics and weight loss supplements, including...
AH Media Group, LLC
In September 2019, the operators of a deceptive negative option scheme agreed to a court-ordered preliminary injunction temporarily barring them from a wide range of conduct. The preliminary injunction stops the defendants from misleading consumers about supposedly “free trial” offers, enrolling them in unwanted continuity plans, billing them without their authorization, and making it nearly impossible for them to cancel or get their money back. In June 2022, the Commission announced it was returning $5.4 million to defrauded consumers.
Type of Action
Federal
Last Updated
FTC Matter/File Number
182 3047
Case Status
Pending
NutraClick LLC to Pay $1.04 Million and Agree to Negative Option Marketing Ban To Settle FTC Allegations That it Violated 2016 Court Order
Date
Boston-based supplement marketer NutraClick LLC and its two officers have agreed to pay $1.04 million and be banned from negative option marketing in order to settle Federal Trade Commission...
FTC Sending Refund Checks Totaling More Than $8.7 Million to Consumers Defrauded by Deceptively Marketed Online “Risk-Free Trial” Offers
Date
The Federal Trade Commission is mailing refunds totaling more than $8.7 million to 187,425 consumers who signed up online for “risk-free” trial offers, but were then charged full price and enrolled in...
Online Marketers Barred from Deceptive “Free Trial” Offers, Unauthorized Billing
Date
The operators of a worldwide negative option scam have agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that they deceptively advertised “risk-free” trial offers for only the cost of shipping and...
FTC Adds Latvian Financial Institution, CEO to Case against Apex Capital Group
Date
The Federal Trade Commission filed an amended complaint in federal district court in a case alleging a multi-national scheme to defraud consumers via deceptive “free trial” offers and negative-option...
FTC Continues Actions to Stop Deceptive Free-Trial and Negative Option Pitches
Date
The Federal Trade Commission today announced another case in a series of recent actions targeting allegedly deceptive online “free-trial” offers that tricked consumers into enrolling in negative...
Tarr Inc.
The FTC is mailing 227,995 checks totaling more than $6 million to consumers who purchased health products from three individuals and the 19 companies they controlled—collectively known as Tarr, Inc. Affected consumers will receive their refund checks, which average $26.57, soon.
Type of Action
Federal
Last Updated
FTC Matter/File Number
142 3236
X180001
FTC Halts Online Marketers Responsible for Deceptive “Free Trial” Offers
Date
A federal district court has granted the Federal Trade Commission’s request to stop a group of San Diego-based Internet marketers from deceptively advertising free trial offers and not only charging...
Internet Marketers of Dietary Supplement and Skincare Products Banned from Deceptive Advertising and Billing Practices
Date
A vast network of online marketers and the three people behind it have agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that they sold more than 40 weight-loss, muscle-building, and wrinkle-reduction...
Displaying 1 - 20 of 30