FTC Business Blog - Economy

Mark your calendars, telemarketers and sellers! October 15 is the Telemarketing Sales Rule’s Record Store Day. | Federal Trade Commission

Get ready. It’s almost Store Your Records Day for telemarketers everywhere.

Don’t waste your energy on a solar scam | Federal Trade Commission

Solar energy and other high efficiency home improvements can help reduce energy consumption and lower utility costs for homeowners.

Is that really the United States Patent and Trademark Office? | Federal Trade Commission

You already know how important trademarks and patents are to protecting your intellectual property. But do you know how to tell the difference between the real United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and scammers pretending to be the USPTO? Here’s how the scam is playing out for businesses.

Just what the doctor didn’t order | Federal Trade Commission

There’s a scam targeting doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals, but you could be a part of the cure.

This National Preparedness Month, make a plan for your business | Federal Trade Commission

How will your business operate if important systems are down due to a natural disaster or weather emergency? Do you have backup files of critical data? And do your communications, IT, and operations staff know what to do during an emergency?

Cancelling a gym (or other) membership shouldn’t be a heavy lift: what businesses can learn from the FTC’s case against LA Fitness | Federal Trade Commission

It’s a common trope that joining a gym is easy, going to the gym is hard, and cancelling a gym membership is often…well, not easy. According to the FTC’s recent case against the operators of LA Fitness, “not easy” is an understatement for consumers seeking to cancel their LA Fitness memberships or related services.

When all is said and dun: Record-setting penalty for debt collection violations | Federal Trade Commission

"You’ve reached the FTC.  Sorry we’re not able to take your call right now.  But if you’re Expert Global Solutions — the biggest debt collection operation in the world — please pay a $3.2

District court rules on redress, ROSCA, and disclosures | Federal Trade Commission

The scheme started with a Craigslist ad for a rental property and ended with a

FTC issues 6(b) orders to social media and video streaming services | Federal Trade Commission

One digit can make a lot of difference. Would the Proclaimers have walked 501 miles? How effective was Love Potion #10?

FTC takes on unproven health claims and “own-dorsements” | Federal Trade Commission

It’s a disturbing trend. Companies are targeting older consumers, claiming to have easy answers for serious diseases for which there may not be a proven cure.

Stick with Security: Require secure passwords and authentication | Federal Trade Commission

FTC sues marketers of student loan “debt relief” – and financer who helped it happen | Federal Trade Commission

Every spring at colleges across the country, many graduates receive a diploma in their hand – and an albatross around their neck.

Default lines: How the FTC says Credit Karma and Fandango SSLighted security settings | Federal Trade Commission

Imagine a burly doorman at an exclusive party.  When someone claims to be a guest, the doorman checks their invitation and runs it against the names on the list.  If it doesn’t match up,

FTC says Bronx Honda discriminated against African-American and Hispanic consumers | Federal Trade Commission

The FTC’s complaint against Bronx Honda alleges the company jacked up what c

Office Depot and Support.com to pay $35 million for falsely claiming scan detected signs of malware on consumers’ computers | Federal Trade Commission

It’s an illegal practice the FTC has challenged for decades: companies convincing consumers to pay for “repairs” on products that don’t really need fixing.

The Reebok settlement: What the FTC order means for advertisers and retailers | Federal Trade Commission

The FTC’s settlement with Reebok requires the company to get their ad claims in shape and works out a $25 million refund program for people who bought E

FTC and New York AG miffed by overbiffing | Federal Trade Commission

If you aren’t familiar with the word “overbiffing,” there’s no need to add it to your vocabulary.

Game over: FTC challenges Sony’s claims for PlayStation Vita and tweets by Deutsch LA | Federal Trade Commission

According to the ads, “It’s a problem as old as gaming itself.

Online Trading Academy settles charges it made deceptive money-making claims and tried to gag consumers | Federal Trade Commission

In a lawsuit filed earlier this year, the FTC alleged that Online Trading Academy made unsubstantiated mega-bucks promises about their purported investment training programs.

Made in USA claims: Three cheers for the said right and true | Federal Trade Commission

Two products sit side by side on the store shelf, but only one says “Made in USA.” For many consumers, that’s an important consideration in deciding what to buy.

Stick with Security: Secure paper, physical media, and devices | Federal Trade Commission

Zooming in on Zoom’s unfair and deceptive security practices: More about the FTC settlement | Federal Trade Commission

This time last year, “zoom” was just a word related to speed.

You had me at aloe? FTC challenges disease treatment claims for aloe and cranberry products | Federal Trade Commission

Aloe and cranberry: a useful plant and a nutritious fruit.

In-app and unapproved: FTC says Amazon charged parents' accounts without their OK | Federal Trade Commission

If there’s one theme that runs through decades of FTC law, it’s that companies need consumers’ informed consent to bill their accounts. That was true in the early days of mail order.

FTC and Colorado AG: Infomercial pitchman's promissory promises not premised on truth | Federal Trade Commission

According to the ubiquitous infomercials, to rake in the big bucks with Russell Dalbey’s “wealth-building” programs, all you had to do was “Find ‘Em,” “List ‘Em,” and “Make Money" — the “‘Em” being

Screen regs and spam? | Federal Trade Commission

Do you like them on the screen Of your mobile phone machine? I do not like text message spam. I do not like them, Sam I am.

Lights out on unsubstantiated pain relief claims and deceptive native advertising | Federal Trade Commission

For consumers struggling with severe or chronic pain, ads for a product called Willow Curve appeared to offer light at the end of the tunnel.

Null and VoIP: FTC reminds service providers of the letter of the law | Federal Trade Commission

We usually wouldn’t suggest you read someone else’s mail, but

FTC's record-setting Do Not Call settlement: 4 tips for business and one candid suggestion | Federal Trade Commission

Yesterday’s 10th anniversary of the National Do Not Call Registry was a good time to reflect on a decade of

COPPA Guidance for Ed Tech Companies and Schools during the Coronavirus | Federal Trade Commission

“Social distancing,” “shelter-in-place,” “virtual happy hour”— these are some of the new expressions on everyone’s lips the past few weeks. For many, add “remote learning” to the list.

New FTC warning letters cite unsupported Coronavirus-related health and earnings claims | Federal Trade Commission

The FTC is not the pen pal you want if you operate a multi-level marketing company but aren’t closely monitoring your distributors.

First FTC ROSCA case challenges bogus BOGO and "free" claims | Federal Trade Commission

It’s called ROSCA – the Restore Online Shoppers’ Confidence Act – and it prohibits marketers from charging consumers for an online transaction unless the marketer has clearly disclosed all material

Stick with Security: Put procedures in place to keep your security current and address vulnerabilities that may arise | Federal Trade Commission

FTC says DIRECTV wasn’t so direct about fees and negative options | Federal Trade Commission

Have you seen the ads where a popular celebrity touts DIRECTV on his own behalf and as the Painfully Awkward, Overly Paranoid, or Crazy Hairy version of himself?

A word about substantiation as mosquito season approaches (and a bit about endorsements, too) | Federal Trade Commission

Mosquitoes don’t just bug us. A big concern is their penchant for passing along pernicious diseases, including the Zika virus.

Hide and sneak | Federal Trade Commission

When playing hide and seek as a child, remember those kids who always seemed to find that hidden crawl space or cranny?  Whatever happened to them?

FTC alleges deception in “unbiased” review site’s ratings and rankings | Federal Trade Commission

Top picks, star ratings, in-depth reviews. Many consumers don’t buy anything without consulting third-party review sites or checking out the opinions of other customers.

i-Dressup and a data security mess-up | Federal Trade Commission

Kids love to play dress-up, but parents wouldn’t want them rummaging through the attic or climbing to the top shelf of the wardrobe without permission and proper supervision.

$40.2 million reminder about the importance of due diligence and monitoring | Federal Trade Commission

Companies that deceive consumers often don’t act alone. Pull back the curtain and you may find behind-the-scenes businesses that lend a hand.

Student loan debt and COVID: FTC sends warning letter to Frank Financial Aid | Federal Trade Commission

For people dealing with student loan debt – your employees, a family member, or maybe you – the CARES Act gives emergency grants to qualifying borrowers.