By: Linda L. Goodman On November 19, 2014, the Senate Committee sent a letter to Uber Chief Executive Officer following social network rumors (started by an Uber executive) that Uber was tracking journalists who opposed their services. In an attempt […]
State Attorney Generals Demanding Further Changes to the Telemarketing Sales Rule!
By: Linda L. Goodman 38 state Attorney Generals (“AGs”) demanded updates to the Telemarketing Sales Rule (“TSR”). In a letter to the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”), the AGs called for a number of new requirements as part of the FTC’s […]
TRUSTe Still Trustworthy?
By: Linda L. Goodman TRUSTe’s Certified Privacy Seals are littered on websites throughout the internet. TRUSTe claims in advertisements that it is “the #1 privacy brand,” and says its Certified Privacy Seal is “recognized globally by consumers, businesses, and regulators […]
No Really Means No -Marketers Pay $3 Million for Order Violation
By: Linda L. Goodman In 1997, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) granted an order against ICON Health & Fitness, Inc. (“ICON”) which prohibited the marketers from making unsubstantiated claims for weight-loss exercise equipment and required that an endorser’s claim reflect […]
Intermundo Hit for False Lead Generation Ads
By: Linda L. Goodman Intermundo, doing lead generation as Delta Prime Refinance used its Internet-based operation to drive potential borrowers for mortgage refinancing to lenders, will pay a $500,000 civil penalty to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that it deceived […]
FTC Requires Online Merchants to Ship No Later than 30 Days after the Order
By: Linda L. Goodman The Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) has issued a final ruling on the Mail or Telephone Order Merchandise Rule, updating a longstanding rule governing mail and telephone-based retailers to explicitly include e-commerce vendors as well. The rule […]
FTC Shuts Down Online Operation Selling Worthless High School Diplomas!
By: Linda L. Goodman On September 16th, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) filed a complaint against Diversified Educational Resources, LLC (“DER”), Motivational Management & Development Service, Ltd. (“MMDS”), and IDM Services LLC (“IDM”). Also named as defendants are Maria T. […]
FTC Working with the CFPB to take down Payday Lenders
By: Linda L. Goodman On September 17, 2014, the FTC unsealed a lawsuit filed against Tim Coppinger, Ted Rowland, and the dozens of shell companies they allegedly used to defraud online payday loan applicants out of millions of dollars. The […]
The Best Way to Avoid Head Lice is to Avoid Head to Head Contact…The Best Way to Avoid an FTC Fine is….Claim Substantiation…Claim Substantiation….
By: Linda L. Goodman On September 16th, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) charged Lornamead, Inc. with deceiving consumers with exaggerated claims that its “Lice Shield” shampoo, stick, and spray products would prevent or reduce the risk of getting head lice. […]
TinyCo Pays Big FTC Fine – Warning FTC Enforcement of COPPA!
By: Linda L. Goodman TinyCo, the developer of child-directed apps including Tiny Pets, Tiny Zoo, Tiny Village, Tiny Monsters, and Mermaid Resort, will pay a civil penalty in the sum of $300,000 to the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) for failure […]