News Releases for February 2000
February 29, 2000
- For Release: February 29, 2000
Chicago Telemarketers Settle FTC Charges of Alleged Office Supply Scams Targeted at Small Businesses
A suburban Chicago-area telemarketing company charged with sending unordered merchandise to small businesses around the country and then billing them for it has agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission and State of Illinois charges that it was violating federal law.
February 28, 2000
- For Release: February 28, 2000
FTC Seeks Public Comment on First Children's Online Privacy "Safe Harbor" Application
The Federal Trade Commission is seeking public comment on the provisions of a plan by PrivacyBot.com to issue a "seal of approval" indicating that Internet websites that comply with its provisions meet the requirements of the FTC's Children's Online Privacy Protection Rule.
- For Your Information: February 28, 2000
FTC Supports HHS Proposed Rules Regarding Privacy Protection of Consumers' Health Information
Standards proposed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for the privacy protection of personally identifiable health information -- which include an "individual authorization" or "opt-in" approach to the ancillary use of such information for purposes other than those for which the information was collected -- are strongly supported by the Federal Trade Commission.
February 25, 2000
- Media Advisory: February 25, 2000
FTC and FCC to Make Policy Announcement Regarding Truth-In-Advertising of Long Distance Services
Consumers have reported being confused and often misled by the claims made by companies marketing long distance services.
- For Your Information: February 25, 2000
Announced Actions for February 25, 2000
The Federal Trade Commission today announced the following actions:
February 24, 2000
- For Release: February 24, 2000
FTC Seeks Public Comment on Proposed Financial Privacy Rule
The Federal Trade Commission has proposed a Rule, set forth in a Federal Register Notice to be published shortly, which would implement the financial privacy provisions of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act.
February 23, 2000
- For Your Information: February 23, 2000
Announced Actions for February 23, 2000
Seeking public comment on petition from Exxon/Mobil; seeking public comment on petition to reopen and modify order in Meade Instruments Corporation
- For Release: February 23, 2000
FTC Seeking Public Comments on Telemarketing Sales Rule
Rule Benefiting Consumers Marks Fifth Anniversary this Year
- For Release: February 23, 2000
Caught in FTC's "Trip Trap," Company Agrees to Court Settlement
All Around Travel Club, Others Barred from Making Misrepresentations in the Future
February 17, 2000
- For Release: February 17, 2000
FTC Chairman Speaks on "The Nature and Limits of Restructuring in Merger Review"
Stresses Need for Transparency on Behalf of Federal Regulators as Restructuring Proposals Increase in Complexity
- For Release: February 17, 2000
Marketer of "Clubby" Beanie Baby® Charged with Failing to Timely Deliver
Company Agrees to Pay $216,000 Civil Penalty For Violating FTC Mail Order Rule
- For Release: February 17, 2000
FTC Targets Identity Theft
Consumers Will Benefit from Clearinghouse, Toll-Free Number
- For Your Information: February 17, 2000
FTC Staff Comments on Virginia State Corporation Commission's Proposed Rules for Regional Transmission Entities
Staff of the Federal Trade Commission's Bureau of Economics have submitted comments to the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) on its implementation of provisions of the Virginia Electric Utility Restructuring Act (the Act), which requires incumbent electric utilities to (1) join or establish regional transmission entities (RTE) by January 1, 2001, and (2) seek authorization from the SCC to transfer their transmission assets to such RTEs.
February 16, 2000
- For Your Information: February 16, 2000
Statement by Jodie Bernstein Director, Bureau of Consumer Protection, Federal Trade Commission
"The Federal Trade Commission staff is conducting a routine inquiry of DoubleClick, Inc., to determine whether it has engaged in unfair or deceptive practices in violation of Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act. The company has been cooperating in the inquiry."
February 15, 2000
- For Your Information: February 15, 2000
Announced Actions for February 15, 2000
Request for approval of transaction in El Paso Energy Corporation; reopen and modify an existing consent order in Digital Equipment Corporation (Compaq Computer Corporation)
February 14, 2000
- For Release: February 14, 2000
Law Enforcers Target Internet Auction Fraud
Law Enforcement Initiatives, Consumer Education Campaign Launched as Part of Second Annual National Consumer Protection Week
February 11, 2000
- For Your Information: February 11, 2000
Announced Actions for February 11, 2000
Amended complaint in atariz.com; finalized consents in Dunphy Nissan, Inc.; Marty Sussman Organization, Inc.; Norristown Auto Co., Inc.; Pacifico Ardmore, Inc.; Pacifico Ford, Inc.; and Northeast Auto Outlet, Inc.; Federal Register notice announcing the second meeting of the Advisory Committee on Online Access and Security; approval of the substitution of two members of the Advisory Committee on Online Access and Security.
February 10, 2000
- Embargoed for 5 PM Release: February 10, 2000
Revolution in Internet Commerce Is "Profoundly Pro-Consumer" Pitofsky Says
Federal Trade Commission Chairman Robert Pitofsky said today that the revolution in Internet commerce "surpasses anything we have seen since the communications and transportation developments at the end of the 19th century.
- For Release: February 10, 2000
Manufacturer of Women's Special Occasion Wear Agrees to Pay Civil Penalty to Settle Care Labeling Charges
The Nahdree Group, Ltd. -- a New York-based manufacturer of women's evening and special occasion wear -- has agreed to pay a $10,000 civil penalty to settle charges that it violated the Federal Trade Commission's Care Labeling Rule by using labels stating "Dryclean Only by Zurcion Method."
- For Release: February 10, 2000
Just in Time For Valentine's Day: FTC Releases Updated Brochures on Buying Jewelry
Publications Designed to Help Educate Consumers and Businesses
February 9, 2000
- Media Advisory: February 9, 2000
Internet Auction Fraud Targeted by Law Enforcers
Soaring Auction Traffic Brings Jump In Auction Fraud
FTC Logs In More Than 10,000 Auction Fraud Complaints In 1999
- For Release: February 9, 2000
FTC Testifies at Senate Oversight Hearing on Proposed Reauthorization
Commission Called "A Small Agency with a Record of Achievement for Consumers"
- For Immediate Release: February 9, 2000
FTC, Commerce To Host Public Workshop To Explore Online Dispute Resolution
Alternative Dispute Resolution for Consumer Transactions in the Borderless Online Marketplace to be Explored
February 8, 2000
- For Your Information: February 8, 2000
Announced Actions for February 8, 2000
Final consent issued in MacDermid, Inc. and Polyfibron Technologies, Inc.; FTC has provided the U.S. Department of Justice with a statistical report on its compliance with the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) for fiscal year 1999.
February 4, 2000
- For Your Information: February 4, 2000
Announced Actions for February 4, 2000
Applications for the approval of three transactions from the following: Exxon Mobil Corporation; order denying petition to reopen and modify orders in General Nutrition Center (GNC)
- For Release: February 4, 2000
Bank Card Issuer Agrees to Pay $250,000 in Redress to Settle Charges of Misleading Public Benefits Recipients Regarding Electronic Transfers to Bank Accounts
ATM Cards Promoted as Having "No Up-Front Fees" and "No Overdraft Protection Fees"
February 3, 2000
- For Your Information: February 3, 2000
Public Statement on the FTC's 2000 Online Privacy Survey
The Federal Trade Commission today announced the following actions:
- For Release: February 3, 2000
Screen Test U.S.A. Defendants Banned from Conducting Screen Tests or Assessing a Child's Acting or Modeling Abilities
Settlement with FTC also Includes Total Judgment of $972,000
- For Release: February 3, 2000
David R. Thomas Named Director of FTC's Office of Congressional Relations
The Federal Trade Commission today announced that David R. Thomas, most recently Deputy Director of Legislative Affairs in the Office of the Vice President, has been named Director of the Commission's Office of Congressional Relations (OCR).
February 2, 2000
- For Release: February 2, 2000
FTC to Challenge BP Amoco/ARCO Merger Alleging that Deal Would Raise Prices for Crude Oil Used to Produce Gasoline and Other Petroleum Products
Agency Charges Will Include Allegations that BP Amoco Controls Crude Oil Prices on West Coast by Exporting to Far East at Lower Prices; and Merged Entity Could Manipulate Trading of Crude Oil Futures
February 1, 2000
- For Your Information: February 1, 2000
Results of Scholarscam 2000 Released
The Federal Trade Commission today announced the following actions:
- For Release: February 1, 2000
Last Defendant Named in a Gemstone Telemarketing Case Banned from Telemarketing Activities
Siri Ram Singh Khalsa, one of the individuals named in the Federal Trade Commission's case against several gemstone companies, has accepted a ban from selling any investment opportunity or collectible artifact and has accepted a ban from telemarketing to consumers.