Federal Trade Commission
FTC Should Ban Forced Arbitration Clauses in Solar Leases
Forced arbitration clauses have no place in solar leasing contracts. These “rip-off clauses” hidden in the fine print rob consumers of the ability to take a company to court if it breaks the law or engages in abusive practices.
Funeral Home Settles FTC Charges it Violated Funeral Rule
A Montgomery, Alabama, funeral home has agreed to settle FTC charges that it violated the Funeral Rule. The Rule requires funeral providers to give consumers pricing and other important information when discussing funeral arrangements.<
FTC Cracks Down on Debt Relief Schemes Targeting Student Loan and Mortgage Borrowers
The Federal Trade Commission and the State of Florida have taken action against two operations charged with running phony student loan debt relief schemes, and defendants in a similar FTC action brought earlier this year have agreed to a ban on participating in any debt relief business, as part of a consumer protection crackdown to combat such frauds.
FTC Workshop Will Examine Competition and Consumer Protection Issues in the Rooftop Solar Business
The Federal Trade Commission will hold a workshop in Washington, DC, on June 21, 2016, to examine competition and consumer protection issues raised by consumers’ growing use of rooftop solar panels to generate their own electric power.
FTC Returns Money to Consumers Harmed by Mortgage Relief Services Scam
The Federal Trade Commission is mailing 474 checks totaling more than $33,000 to consumers who lost money to a scheme that charged homeowners an up-front fee for mortgage relief services they promised but never provided.
Scammer Banned from Debt and Mortgage Relief Business, Telemarketing
Denny Lake, the final individual defendant in a mortgage modification scam aimed at financially strapped homeowners, will be banned from selling debt relief and mortgage-related products and services, and from telemarketing under a court order obtained by the Federal Trade Commission.
FTC Brings Action Against Debt Relief Operation that Targeted Financially Distressed Homeowners and Student...
The Federal Trade Commission has charged a debt relief operation with falsely representing to financially distressed homeowners and student loan borrowers that it would help get their mortgages and student loans modified. At the FTC’s request, a federal court has temporarily halted the operation. The agency seeks to permanently stop the alleged illegal practices and obtain refunds for affected consumers.
ASUS Settles FTC Charges That Insecure Home Routers and “Cloud” Services Put Consumers’ Privacy...
Taiwan-based computer hardware maker ASUSTeK Computer, Inc. has agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that critical security flaws in its routers put the home networks of hundreds of thousands of consumers at risk. The administrative complaint also charges that the routers’ insecure “cloud” services led to the compromise of thousands of consumers’ connected storage devices, exposing their sensitive personal information on the internet.
FTC Approves Final Order Preserving Competition in Worldwide Market for RF Power Amplifiers
Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved a final order settling charges that NXP Semiconductors N.V.’s $11.8 billion acquisition of Freescale Semiconductor Ltd. would likely harm competition in the worldwide market for RF power amplifiers.
Scammers Banned from Mortgage Relief Business, Telemarketing
Four mortgage modification scammers, Brian Pacios, Chad Caldaronello, Justin Moreira and Derek Nelson will be banned from selling debt relief products and services under settlements resolving Federal Trade Commission charges that they deceived homeowners facing foreclosure
Operators of Alleged Tech Support Scam Settle FTC Charges, Will Surrender Money and Property
The operators of an alleged tech support scam agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that they tricked consumers into paying millions of dollars for technical support services they did not need and software that was otherwise free
Is Solar Power Right for You? FTC Tips Highlight Homeowners’ Options
Solar Power for Your Home explains costs and benefits of buying or leasing a system, or signing a power purchase agreement. It also has tips to help you evaluate companies and products, and advice about what to know – about tax breaks, rate changes and what happens when you sell your house – before you sign a contract.
FTC Returns Money to Consumers in Mortgage Relief Scam
The Federal Trade Commission is mailing 2,653 checks totaling more than $467,000 to consumers who lost money to a scheme that charged large up-front fees for mortgage relief services that were not provided.
Court Halts Mortgage Relief Operation that Targeted Homeowners Facing Foreclosure
At the Federal Trade Commission’s request, a federal court halted a sham operation that allegedly told financially distressed homeowners it would help get their mortgages modified, but instead effectively stole their mortgage payments, leading some to foreclosure and bankruptcy. The FTC seeks to permanently stop the scheme and its participants’ illegal practices. It also filed a contempt action against one of the scheme’s principals, Brian Pacios, who is under a previous court order that prohibited him from mortgage relief activities
National Mortgage Servicing Company Will Pay $63 Million to Settle FTC, CFPB Charges
A national mortgage servicing company will pay $63 million to resolve Federal Trade Commission and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau charges that it harmed homeowners with illegal loan servicing and debt collection practices.
Court Temporarily Halts Company From Offering Mortgage Relief Services
Continuing to crack down on phony mortgage relief programs, a federal court has temporarily halted Los Angeles-based Wealth Educators, Inc. and its president from offering mortgage relief services at the Federal Trade Commission’s request. The agency charged the defendants with failing to provide the help they promised homeowners, while charging a hefty up-front fee. The company also told consumers to stop making their monthly mortgage payments, leading some facing the prospect of foreclosure.
Marketers Banned From Mortgage Relief and Debt Relief Services Industry in Settlement with FTC
Marketers who helped promote a Utah-based home loan modification scheme will be banned from the mortgage relief and debt relief industries under a court settlement resolving charges by the Federal Trade Commission that they violated the law by promoting the loan modification scam, which conned consumers into paying hefty fees for worthless mortgage relief services.
Mortgage Relief Pitchmen Settle FTC Charges That They Deceived Consumers
WASHINGTON, D.C. - February 5, 2015 - (RealEstateRama) -- A group of Utah-based defendants claiming to be legal experts in loan modifications have settled Federal Trade Commission charges that they broke the law by conning consumers into paying hefty fees for worthless mortgage relief services. The five proposed orders settling the FTC’s charges ban the defendants, led by Philip J. Danielson and his company, Danielson Law Group, from offering mortgage assistance relief services and from participating in the debt relief industry
Funeral Home Settles FTC Charges It Violated the Funeral Rule
WASHINGTON, D.C. - February 2, 2015 - (RealEstateRama) -- An Ohio funeral home operator has agreed to pay a civil penalty to settle Federal Trade Commission charges for violating the agency’s Funeral Rule, which requires funeral providers to provide information consumers need to compare prices and buy only the funeral services and goods they want.
FTC Settlement Bans Florida Scammer from Mortgage Modification and Loan Business
WASHINGTON, D.C. - December 16, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- A Florida-based scammer will be banned from the mortgage modification business as part of a settlement resolving Federal Trade Commission charges that he tricked financially strapped consumers into paying for mortgage-relief services that he never provided
