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The Nixing the Fix Report to Congress, the Commission Policy Statement on Repair Restrictions Imposed by Manufacturers and Sellers, and law enforcement actions against companies charged with illegally restricting customers’ right to repair should make the FTC’s position on the subject clear: Consumers deserve choices when it comes to repairing their products, and independent dealers and repair shops should have a fair chance to compete for their business. FTC staff just sent warning letters to eight companies, raising concerns about whether their practices are hindering consumers’ right to repair their products and reminding them of their obligations under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act and the FTC Act. Is it time for a Magnuson-Moss compliance check at your company?

Regular readers know that when it comes to false “Made in USA” claims, the FTC means business. Lying about product origin hurts consumers, honest businesses, and American workers. That’s why we keep suing companies that don’t play by the rules, assessing penalties where appropriate, and returning money to consumers when we can.

Many people appreciate the flexibility of gig work. But if your company offers gig work opportunities, there’s one thing that isn’t flexible: your obligation to comply with established consumer protection laws, including the FTC Act and – where applicable – the Business Opportunity Rule. That’s a key takeaway from the FTC’s $7 million proposed settlement with Arise Virtual Solutions. The case also serves as a compliance reminder to the more than 1,100 companies – including Arise – that received the FTC’s Notice of Penalty Offenses Concerning Money-Making Opportunities that violations can prove costly.

In finalizing the Trade Regulation Rule on Impersonation of Government and Businesses earlier this year, the FTC said, “This rule banning government and business impersonation will allow us to more vigorously and effectively protect Americans from fraudsters.” The Impersonation Rule enforcement effort on behalf of America’s consumers starts here and now with an action against purported student loan debt relief outfit Prosperity Benefit Services and related companies and individuals that have allegedly taken consumers for more than $20 million by falsely promising debt relief and faking an affiliation with the U.S. Department of Education. Here’s what your business needs to know about the new Rule – and what the FTC is doing to protect consumers from deceptive student loan debt relief claims.

After a careful review process inviting feedback from consumers and industry members, the FTC has announced final updates to its Ophthalmic Practice Rules, also known as the Eyeglass Rule. The primary focus of the revised Rule is to increase compliance with the longstanding requirement that ophthalmologists and optometrists provide patients with a free copy of their prescription immediately following a refractive eye exam.

Given the injury and irritation inflicted on consumers by buried terms, hidden charges, and complicated cancellation procedures, it’s no wonder they’re called “negative” options. A federal court complaint the Department of Justice filed upon notification and referral from the FTC alleges that Adobe and corporate executives Maninder Sawhney and David Wadhwani have hidden fees associated with the company’s most popular subscription plan and made it hard for consumers to cancel. It’s the latest action challenging allegedly illegal conduct in the subscription space.

In March, the �鶹��ý Trade Commission hosted the first-ever Technology Forum by the International Competition Network (ICN) members in Washington, D.C. The forum brought together 21 competition agencies spanning the globe from Brazil and Japan to South Africa and Sweden. During the two-day event, representatives from these agencies engaged in discussions about tech- related topics including artificial intelligence (AI), commercial surveillance...

Earnest chats with objects are not so unusual. Mark “The Bird” Fidrych, the famed Detroit Tiger, used to stand on the pitching mound whispering to the baseball. Forky, the highly animate utensil from Toy Story 4, once posed deep questions about friendship to a ceramic mug. And many of us have made repeated queries of the Magic 8 Ball despite its limited set of randomly generated answers.

Housing costs take a big bite out of most Americans’ budgets, especially consumers looking for a suitable place to live during a fluctuating rental market. That’s why the FTC has particular concerns when in their quest for one of the most basic human needs – a roof over their heads – prospective renters are subjected to practices that violate the law. If you’re a landlord, work for a property management company, or provide other services in the rental sector, heed the warning that the FTC looks askance at illegal conduct that could turn home sweet home into home cheat home for renters.

Scammers are all about spinning lies, but they still operate in the real world. Many scammers pretend to be well-known businesses to gain trust and make their stories seem more believable. [1] , [2]And scammers use real-world methods to contact people and to get paid. Reports to the FTC’s Consumer Sentinel Network point to some of their favorites. Let’s start with the most-impersonated companies. According to 2023 reports, Best Buy’s Geek Squad...