FTC Enforcement

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Alleging that Global Circulation, Inc. (GCI) threatened consumers with jail time, lawsuits, and wage garnishments to pressure them into paying debts they did not owe, the FTC entered into a stipulated order with GCI and its owner, Kenneth Redon III, to permanently ban them from the debt collection industry.

The defendants were also enjoined from making misrepresentations to consumer about legal obligations, making false statements to obtain payment information, and impersonating other businesses.… Continue Reading

The Justice Department is asking a federal court to issue a permanent injunction against cash advance firm Dave Inc. and its CEO Jason Wilk, alleging that the company uses misleading marketing tactics to deceive consumers about the amount of its cash advances, charges consumers undisclosed fees, and charges so-called “tips” to consumers without their consent.… Continue Reading

The FTC filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California against Seek Capital and its CEO, Roy Ferman, alleging that the company operated a bogus business finance scheme that cost small business owners more than $37 million. The FTC alleges violations of the FTC Act, Telemarketing and Consumer Fraud and Abuse Prevention Act, Telemarketing Sales Rule, and Consumer Review Fairness Act of 2016, and requests a temporary, preliminary and permanent injunction, monetary damages and other relief.… Continue Reading

Today’s podcast features James Kohm, the Associate Director for the Enforcement Division of the Federal Trade Commission’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. We discuss the FTC’s “Click-to-Cancel” Rule (consisting of significant amendments to the longstanding “Negative Option Rule”) which was promulgated by the FTC on October 16, 2024 by a vote of 3-2 along party lines.… Continue Reading

The FTC has filed a complaint against the online cash advance app, Dave, charging that the company used misleading marketing to deceive consumers about the amount of its cash advances and charged consumers undisclosed fees and so-called “tips” without their consent.

The FTC noted that Dave describes the consumers it targets as “financially vulnerable” or “financially coping,” suggesting that Dave knew they were particularly vulnerable to its claims that they could instantly receive up to $500,

In its complaint, filed in the U.S.… Continue Reading

Invitation Homes, the nation’s largest landlord of single-family homes, has agreed to pay $48 million and to stop a significant number of its rental practices, including misleading renters about lease costs and charging undisclosed fees characterized by the FTC as junk fees, according to an agreement approved Sept. 27 by the U.S.… Continue Reading

On August 15, 2024, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) and Arizona Attorney General announced a proposed settlement with an Arizona-based vehicle dealership to resolve allegations that the dealership misrepresented prices in online advertisements, engaged in unfair and deceptive practices related to the sale of add-on products, and discriminated against Latino consumers by charging higher interest rates and more expensive add-on charges.… Continue Reading

The Federal Trade Commission on August 14 announced a final trade regulation rule intended to fight fake reviews and testimonials by prohibiting their purchase or sale and by allowing the agency to seek civil penalties against violators.

The final rule, 16 CFR Part 465: Trade Regulation on the Use of Consumer Reviews and Testimonials, follows a proposed rule issued in June 2023 and an informal hearing on the proposal that was held in February.… Continue Reading

Career Step LLC, an online career training company has been ordered to pay $43.5 million in cash and debt cancellation to resolve FTC charges that the company “lured consumers, specifically servicemembers and their families, with deceptive ads that falsely touted inflated employment outcomes, job placement, and partnerships with prominent companies.”

The company will cancel $27.8 million in debt and pay $15.7 million to provide redress to consumers harmed by its deceptive advertising.… Continue Reading