FTC Resources for Reporters
Protecting Consumers from Fraud and Deception
As the nation’s consumer protection agency, the Federal Trade Commission has a broad mandate to protect consumers from fraud and deception in the marketplace. To fulfill this goal, the FTC takes law enforcement actions, provides consumer and business education, issues reports and policy guidance, leads workshops, and participates in other forums.
News Releases:
- FTC Asks Court to Shut Down $70 Million Cramming Operation – 01/22/2013
- FTC Warns Hotel Operators that Price Quotes that Exclude 'Resort Fees' and Other Mandatory Surcharges May Be Deceptive – 11/28/2012
- FTC Alerts Consumers Who Want to Help Colorado Movie Theater Shooting Victims – 07/27/2012
- FTC Calls Wireless Phone Bill Cramming a Significant Consumer Problem – 07/23/2012
- FTC and Florida Attorney General Sue Timeshare Rental/Resale Operation for Deception – 07/19/2012
- FTC Halts Deceptive Prepaid Calling Card Scheme Targeting Immigrants – 07/09/2012
- FTC Seeks Return of $52 Million Worth of Bogus Phone Bill Cramming Charges; Agency Charges Nation's Largest Third-Party Billing Company with Contempt – 05/08/2012
- FTC Wins Court Judgment Against Massive Get-Rich-Quick Infomercial Scam – 05/01/2012
- FTC Action Halts Alleged Scam That Dangled the False Promise of 'Free Gas for Life' Then Charged Consumers for Unwanted E-Magazine Subscriptions – 04/06/2012
- FTC Takes Action To Stop Deceptive Car Dealership Ads – 03/14/2012
- FTC Stops Online Marketing Scheme That Allegedly Scammed Consumers Out of Hundreds of Millions of Dollars Using 'Free' Trial Offers – 09/22/2011
- "Acne Cure" Mobile App Marketers Will Drop Baseless Claims Under FTC Settlements – 09/08/2011
- FTC Settlement Prohibits Marketer from Claiming that Nivea Skin Cream Can Help Consumers Slim Down – 06/29/2011
- Court Bans Defendants from Selling Work–at–Home and Grant Scams, and Orders Them to Pay $10.4 Million – 06/16/2011
- FTC Settlement Bans Online U.S. Electronics Retailer from Deceiving Consumers with Foreign Website Names – 06/09/2011
- Federal Agencies Combat Immigration Services Scams – 06/07/2011
- Court Halts Bogus Prepaid Calling Card Claims; FTC Alleges Cards Failed to Deliver the Advertised Minutes – 06/01/2011
- FTC Charges Promissory Note Pitchman With Deceiving Consumers Infomercial Falsely Claims It’s Easy to “Find ‘Em,” “List ‘Em,” and “Make Money” Agency – 05/31/2011
- FTC Stops Marketers in Nationwide ‘Free Vacation’ Prize Scam Targeting Spanish-Speaking Consumers – 05/25/2011
- Online Marketers of Bogus "$10,000 Credit Line" Ordered to Pay $3.7 Million, Cited for Contempt – 05/25/2011
- FTC Charges Online Marketers with Scamming Consumers out of Hundreds of Millions of Dollars with 'Free' Trial Offers – 05/17/2011
- FTC Recovers Properties, Precious Metals, and other Assets in Case Involving Purported – 05/11/2011
- FTC Sends Refund Checks to Victims of "Wal-Mart Shopping Spree" Scam – 04/29/2011
- FTC Undercover Shopper Survey on Enforcement of Entertainment Ratings Finds Compliance Worst for Retailers of Music CDs and the Highest Among Video Game Sellers – 04/20/2011
- Concertgoers Who Bought Springsteen Tickets from Ticketmaster Resale Website Are Sent Refund Claim Forms by FTC – 09/20/2010
- FTC Helps Prepare Kids for a World Where Advertising Is Everywhere – 04/28/2010
- FTC Cracks Down on Con Artists Who Target Jobless Americans – 02/17/2010
- FTC Cracks Down on Scammers Trying to Take Advantage of the Economic Downturn – 07/01/2009
- FTC Announces “Operation False Charity” Law Enforcement Sweep – 05/20/2009
Reports and Workshops:
Documents:
Video:
Congressional Testimony:
- How the FTC Works to Halt Fraudulent Schemes Exploiting the
Economic Downturn and the Stimulus Package – 09/10/2009 - Advertising Trends and Consumer Protection – 07/22/2009
- The Commission's Anti-Fraud Law Enforcement Program, and Recommended Changes in the Law and in Resources to Enhance the Commission's Ability to Protect Consumers – 07/14/2009
Business Education:
- Frequently Asked Advertising Questions: A Guide for Small Business
- Dot Com Disclosures: Information about Online Advertising
- Screening Advertisements: A Guide for the Media
- Big Print. Little Print. What’s the Deal?
- The Company You Keep
Consumer Education: