The FTC issued its annual list of top consumer complaints, with identity theft far outpacing all other categories.
ftc
Report Fraud To Law Enforcement Agencies With Consumer Sentinel
By 2.1.07
Consumer Sentinel is
“a one-stop, secure investigative cybertool and complaint database, on a separate restricted-access secure web site, that provides hundreds of law enforcement agencies immediate access to Internet cons, telemarketing scams and other consumer fraud-related complaints.”
Oh, a cybertool! The database is maintained by the FTC and currently holds over a million complaints.
Sony BMG Settles FTC Charges; Customers to Get $150
By 1.31.07
U.S. regulators said Tuesday Sony BMG Music Entertainment agreed to reimburse consumers up to $150 for damage to their computers for selling CDs with hidden anti-piracy software.
FTC Announces Bureau of Consumer Protection Appointments
By 1.30.07
The FTC yesterday announced several appointments within the Bureau of Consumer Protection (BCP). Mary Beth Richards became a Deputy Director in the Bureau of Consumer Protection, Maneesha Mithal was appointed Chief of Staff of the Bureau, and Frank Gorman became Assistant Director
Xenadrine, TrimSpa, CortiSlim, One-A-Day Makers to Pay $26 Million
By 1.5.07
- Bayer AG and several smaller companies agreed to pay the U.S. government almost $26 million to settle allegations of false weight-loss advertising claims, the Federal Trade Commission said on Thursday.
HOW TO: Make A Fake Infomercial
By 12.29.06
They then hooked up with infomercial producers, actors and a licensed dermatologist to create an authentic looking infomercial.
FTC Wags Finger At Word-Of-Mouth Marketing
By 12.13.06
Companies using so-called “word of mouth marketing” must disclose who’s paying the shill’s bills, the FTC said Monday.
Marketing an Invasion of Privacy?
By 11.3.06
According to CNet, “The Washington-based U.S. Public Interest Research Group and the Center for Digital Democracy have asked the Federal Trade Commission to review–and ideally restrict–what they describe as a growing online business model dependent on technologies that “aggressively track us wherever we go, creating data profiles to be used in ever-more sophisticated and personalized ‘one-to-one’ targeting schemes.”
FTC Kicks Some Bogus Billing Butt
By 10.16.06
Is the FTC just a bunch of secretaries with really big filing cabinets?
With Vigorous Cane Shaking, America Responds To 20/20 Story
By 10.16.06
Of all the complaints that flooded our inbox following our 20/20 appearance, this is our favorite.
Your Rights: Telemarketing
By 10.9.06
You might be distracted by their pointed horns and forked tail, but don’t forget you have rights when telemarketers call. If those rights are trampled by their cloven feet, you have recourse.
Easily File FTC Complaints
By 10.5.06
Registering an official gripe against a company need not involve a trip to the post office. The Federal Trade Commission has an online form you can use, too.
Girls Gone Wild Customers: “For God’s Sake! Stop Sending Me Boobs!”
By 6.29.06
It’s a sad state of human affairs when a consumer — only willing to pay for the one-time privilege of seeing a few hundred breasts bouncing up and down — is instead enrolled into an ongoing program that smothers him in a jubbly, endless ocean of tits. Unfortunately, it’s a plight all too many consumers of the Girls Gone Wild series of tapes have to face every day.
ID Theft Much Cheaper Than Thought?
By 6.27.06
One number bandied with reckless abandon is $48 billion dollars, supposedly the total lost to identity theft. That’s lot of money.
Beat Credit Card Blocking
By 6.6.06
Lifehacker’s got a pointer to an FTC article for avoiding “credit card blocking” when booking trips, whereby a hotel will stake claim for the full cost of your stay, plus the incidentals it feels you may buy, prior to checking out of the hotel.
Look Mom, I’m a Big Consumer Now
By 5.12.06
This charming, animated, Mother’s Day e-card brought to you by the Federal Trade Commission.
