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Business Blog

Private eyes: Lessons from the rent-to-own webcam cases

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The charges outlined in the FTC’s lawsuits against a software business and seven rent-to-own companies are surprising — and OK, some might say a little creepy. Software on rented computers gave the...
Business Blog

Robocall me never

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"Hey, I've never met you. So don't get clever . T hat's my number. Robocall me never." When consumers are struggling with their finances, is there anything worse than getting solicitations from debt...
Business Blog

Collection deception

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On classic episodes of the Tonight Show, affable sidekick Ed McMahon sought guidance from Johnny Carson's all-knowing Carnac character. But as demonstrated by a recent FTC law enforcement action —...
Business Blog

FTC to auto dealers: Back up your ad claims

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If you have clients in the auto industry, you’ve seen the ads: “We’ll pay off your trade no matter what you owe . . . even if you’re upside down.†It’s an attractive claim to people struggling with...
Business Blog

Watch what you're doing with time-barred debts

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Of course, people are responsible for their debts. However, at a certain point, how much time has passed becomes an affirmative defense under state law and creditors can’t prevail in court. But what...
Business Blog

Quoth the Maven

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In celebration of Halloween — and with apologies to Edgar Allen Poe — here’s our take on what companies can do to make sure spooky business practices don’t come back to haunt them. Once upon a...
Business Blog

FTC 86s LOAN MOD TXTS

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FTC watchers will remember Phillip A. Flora. In the first case of its kind, the FTC alleged that Mr. Flora was a One-Man Message Machine, churning out a “mind-boggling†number of unsolicited...
Business Blog

Relief pitching?

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“You can settle your credit card debt for pennies on the dollar without filing for bankruptcy.†For people struggling to stay afloat, Debt Relief USA’s national TV ads must have seemed like a lifeline...
Business Blog

Swish Marketing decision nets consumers $4.8 million

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Thinking about using a pre-checked box to obligate buyers in an online transaction? Maybe you’re considering a negative option arrangement without clearly and conspicuously disclosing the details of...
Business Blog

Debt collection company pays record-setting civil penalty

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Incessant phone calls to consumers, often about accounts that weren't theirs. Repeated autocalls to wrong numbers. Illegal disclosures to other people that a consumer owes money. Those are just some...
Business Blog

LOANMOD TXT MSGS VIOL8 LAW, SEZ FTC

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The FTC has gone to court in an effort to shut down an operation that allegedly blasted consumers with more than five million illegal spam text messages, including many pitching loan modification help...
Business Blog

"Talkin' 'bout lead gen-eration"

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As a recent FTC action against three companies and their owner proves, ads promising quick and easy relief from credit card debt are likely to attract law enforcement attention. But this case featured...
Business Blog

Deep in the Heart of Taxes

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Owners of small businesses wrestling with tax obligations are sure to have seen the ads. American Tax Relief LLC promised to settle customers’ delinquent federal and state taxes for a fraction of what...
Business Blog

BCP Business Center: Your Link to the Law

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Welcome to the BCP Business Center: Your Link to the Law. Explore and you’ll find practical compliance guidance on advertising, telemarketing, credit, data security, and other need-to-know topics for...