News Releases for August 2008

August 27, 2008

• For Release: August 27, 2008
  FTC Announces Workshop and Roundtable on Emerging Health Care Competition and Consumer Protection IssuesEvents to be Held in Washington, DC, This Fall; Public Comments Solicited
• For Release: August 27, 2008
  FTC Acts Against Scammers Who Marketed Envelope-Stuffing Schemes to Spanish-Speaking Consumers Across The NationThe Federal Trade Commission has charged the marketer of a work-at-home business opportunity with violating federal law by falsely promising Spanish-speaking consumers substantial income for stuffing envelopes.

August 26, 2008

• For Release: August 26, 2008
  FTC to Host Public Workshop on Petroleum Market Manipulation RulemakingParties Interested in Participating Must Submit Comment in Response to Recent NPRM
• For Your Information: August 26, 2008
  Commission Denies Petition for Rulemaking Related to ‘Qualified Intermediaries’ Under Internal Revenue Code Section 1031The Commission has denied a petition by the Federation of Exchange Accommodators (FEA) requesting that the FTC develop a Trade Regulation Rule (Rule) related to Qualified Intermediaries (QIs).

August 22, 2008

• For Your Information: August 22, 2008
  Commission Receives Petition for Approval of Proposed Divestiture from Agrium Inc.The Commission has received a petition from Agrium Inc. (Agrium) requesting approval of a proposed divestiture related to Agrium’s recent acquisition of UAP Holding Corporation (UAP).

August 20, 2008

• For Release: August 20, 2008
  Brothers Will Give Up Cash and Cars to Settle FTC Charges That Earnings Claims for Their ‘Money-Making Secrets’ Misled ConsumersTwo brothers have agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that they misled consumers with false earnings claims for work-at-home schemes involving free government grants, mystery shopping, online surveys, and data entry.
• For Release: August 20, 2008
  FTC to Host Workshop to Explore Consumer Protection and Privacy Implications of Radio Frequency Identification Applications The Federal Trade Commission will host a “Transatlantic RFID Workshop on Consumer Privacy and Data Security” on September 23, 2008, to explore emerging applications of radio frequency identification technology and their implications for consumer protection policy.
• For Release: August 20, 2008
  Public Affairs Director Nancy Ness Judy to Leave FTCClaudia Bourne Farrell Named Acting Director; Peter Kaplan Named Deputy Director

August 19, 2008

• For Release: August 19, 2008
  FTC Issues Final Telemarketing Sales Rule Amendments Regarding Prerecorded CallsRule Will Halt Prerecorded Sales Calls Unless the Seller Obtains Consumer's Permission
• For Your Information: August 19, 2008
  Commission Approves Amended Complaint in Matter of Select Management Solutions; FTC Approves Final Consent Order in Matter of Flow International/OMAXCommission approval of amended complaint – The Commission has authorized the staff to file an amended complaint in the ongoing litigation against Select Personnel Management, Inc., d/b/a Select Management Solutions, and its principal James Stewart and Flow International Corporation and OMAX Corporation.

August 15, 2008

• For Your Information: August 15, 2008
  FTC Approves Amended Complaint in Matter of Internet Listing Service Corp., et al.; Commission Approves Amended Complaint in Matter of Med ProvisionsCommission approval of amended complaints – The Commission has authorized the staff to file an amended complaint in the ongoing litigation against Data Business Solutions Inc., also doing business as Internet Listing Service Corp., ILS Corp., ILSCORP.NET, Domain Listing Service Corp., DLS Corp., and DLSCORP.NET, and its principals Ari Balabanian, Isaac Benlolo, and Kirk Mulveney.

August 14, 2008

• For Release: August 14, 2008
  Makers of Airborne Settle FTC Charges of Deceptive Advertising; Agreement Brings Total Settlement Funds to $30 Million Consumers Have Until September 15 to Apply for Refunds

August 13, 2008

• For Release: August 13, 2008
  FTC Seeks Comments on Proposed Rule Prohibiting Petroleum Market ManipulationAgency Reviewed 155 Comments Following Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
• For Release: August 13, 2008
  FTC Challenges Sun Pharmaceuticals’ Purchase of Taro Pharmaceutical IndustriesConsent Order Requires Sun to Sell Rights and Assets for Three Generic Drugs

August 12, 2008

• Media Advisory: August 12, 2008
  FTC to Announce Deceptive Marketing Case Against Nationally Known Maker of Natural Health RemedyThe Federal Trade Commission will announce a multi-million dollar consumer redress settlement against the maker of a well known natural remedy.
• For Release: August 12, 2008
  Oregano Supplement Marketers Agree to Pay $2.5 Million to Settle FTC Charges for False Advertising ClaimsThe marketers of a line of dietary supplements have agreed to pay $2.5 million to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that claims about their oregano oil and capsules were false and unsubstantiated in violation of federal law.

August 8, 2008

• For Your Information: August 8, 2008
  FTC Approves Modified Final Consent Order in Matter of TALX CorporationCommission approval of modified final consent order – Following a public comment period in the matter of TALX Corporation, the Commission has approved the issuance of a modified final consent order and letters replying to those who submitted public comments.

August 7, 2008

• For Your Information: August 7, 2008
  FTC Cautions Consumers About Voter Registration Scams Have you received an unsolicited e-mail or phone call from someone who claims to represent your local election board or civic group and asks for your Social Security or credit card number to confirm your eligibility or registration to vote?
• For Release: August 7, 2008
  Competition Director Jeffrey Schmidt to Leave FTCDavid Wales Named Acting Director of the Bureau of Competition

August 5, 2008

• For Release: August 5, 2008
  ‘Debt Meltdown Program’ Marketers Settle with FTC; Charged with Failing to Deliver Promised Debt Reduction ServicesFour companies and their principals, Robert and Miriam Lovinger, have agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that they deceptively marketed a “debt settlement” program that failed to provide services they claimed would reduce consumers’ debt.

August 4, 2008

• For Release: August 4, 2008
  Chief Administrative Law Judge for the FTC to RetireFederal Trade Commission Chairman William E. Kovacic today announced that Stephen J. McGuire, Chief Administrative Law Judge for the FTC, is retiring after 31 years of public service.

August 1, 2008

• For Your Information: August 1, 2008
  Commission Approves Final Consent Order in Matter of The TJX Companies, Inc.; FTC Approves Final Consent Order in the Matter of Reed Elsevier, Inc. and Seisint, Inc.Commission approval of final consent orders – Following a public comment period, the Commission has approved the issuance of a final consent order and authorized the staff to respond to the commenters of record in the matter of The TJX Companies, Inc and Reed Elsevier Inc. and Seisint, Inc.