March 2011
Welcome to Consumer University
As your customers' buying habits make clear, today’s consumer marketplace knows no borders. That’s why the FTC and officials from nine Latin American countries are meeting in Washington, D.C., this week to consider the challenges of global consumer protection.
Creepy little blood suckers
No, not those unpleasant former colleagues, but the resurgent bane of the business traveler: bedbugs.
Bedbugs are coming out of the woodwork — followed closely by opportunists peddling iffy products aimed at on-the-go professionals. Although bedbugs don't carry disease, their bites can cause itchy, annoying welts. But before you shell out money for an unproven remedy, find out more about what will (and won't) protect you from these pests when you travel.
The way the cookie crumbles
Following the ongoing discussion about behavioral advertising? The FTC’s first online behavioral advertising case against a network advertiser offers insights into the agency's approach.
Debt collection company pays record-setting civil penalty
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.
FUR your information
If you have clients who sell furs or fur-trimmed items, make sure they’re up to date on regulatory developments that affect their industry.
Endorsements & Affiliate Marketing: The Legacy Learning Systems Order
Two hot topics in the advertising arena: affiliate marketing and consumer testimonials. The FTC’s settlement with Legacy Learning Systems touches on both of those buzzworthy issues.
FTC says buyers strung along by deceptive endorsements for guitar DVDs
If you’ve been following recent developments about endorsements and affiliate marketing, the FTC’s settlement with Nashville-based Legacy Learning Systems and Lester Gabriel Smith — marketers of a “learn to play the guitar” DVD series – should strike a chord.
Till Debt Due Us Part
In place since 1977, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act gives consumers rights in the debt collection process and sets standards for members of the industry.
Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines
Do you work in the motor vehicle industry or follow what’s going on in that sector? Then today’s announcement from the FTC about a series of workshops on consumer protection issues related to the sale, financing, and leasing of cars, SUVs, and light trucks is right up your alley. The first roundtable, set for April 12th at Wayne State Law School in Detroit, is free and open to the public. And what better place to rev up a discussion about motor vehicles than in the Motor City?
Complaint stats tell the story
Consumers have found their voice. And last year they raised it more than 1.3 million times to complain about identity theft, fraud, and products that didn’t live up to the advertising hype.