FTC

FTC Clears Bayer's Purchase of Conceptus

The German drug company Bayer AG has received antitrust clearance from the Federal Trade Commission for its approximately $1.1 billion acquisition of Conceptus.

There Could Be Something Wrong With 42 Million Credit Reports

The Federal Trade Commission just released a report on the credit reporting industry that could spell trouble for tens of millions of consumers: 25 percent of people had at least one error that could negatively impact their FICO credit score.

Study: 1 in 5 Consumers Had Error in Credit Report

One in five consumers had an error in a credit report issued by a major agency, according to a government study. The FTC study also said that 5 percent of the consumers identified errors in their reports that could lead to them paying more for mortgages, auto loans or other financial products.

Big Retailers Fined for Pushing Phony Bamboo Fabrics

Macy's, Amazon and Sears have all agreed to fork over hundreds of thousands of dollars each in fines after the Federal Trade Commission busted them for passing off Rayon fabrics as genuine, environmentally friendly bamboo.

FTC Warns Hotel Chains to Stop Hidden 'Resort Fees,' 'Drip Pricing'

Frequent travelers know that extra airline fees have become the norm. But resorts and hotels make it even harder to figure out what your final bill is going to add up to. Now, the Federal Trade Commission's Bureau of Consumer Protection is fighting back on our behalf.

How to Avoid Home Repair Rip-Offs After Frankenstorm Passes

Experts predict the tab for Hurricane Sandy -- aka Frankenstorm -- will be in the billions of dollars. If your property gets damaged, proceed with caution: You don't want to get hit again, this time by home repair companies that jack up their prices, do a poor job, or walk away before the work is finished.

Money Scams: How to Spot a Fake Debt Collector

Getting a call from a debt collection agency is bad enough. Getting a call from a phony debt collector trying to scam you out of money you don't owe can be even worse. The scammers are out there: Here's what you need to know to avoid becoming a victim.

$50,000 Prize If You Can Find Way to Block Robocalls

Those annoying prerecorded phone pitches known as robocalls aren't just getting on the nerves of millions of consumers: The government is fed up too, and it's turning to the public for help, offering a cash reward for the best way to stop the unwanted sales calls.

America's 10 Worst States for Fraud

When times are hard, fraud often gets worse. Americans are under great financial pressure, and there is no shortage of criminals waiting to take advantage of it. 24/7 Wall St. examined the 10 states that had the most per-capita fraud complaints.

Don't Get Conned: Free Fraud Hotline Aids, Educates

This is International Fraud Awareness Week, when various companies and nonprofit organizations work to educate people about how to avoid becoming victims of financial fraud. And we need the help: Last year, American consumers lost more than $1.7 billion to financial scams.

Surprise! 'Acne Cure' Phone Apps Don't Work

"When it comes to curing acne, there's no app for that," said Federal Trade Commission Chairman, Jon Leibowitz, in response to a settlement reached on Wednesday between the FTC and three men charged with misleading claims that their smartphone apps could get rid of pimples.

Abusive Collection Agency Ordered to Halt Operations

As part of its effort to crack down on scams that target Americans in financial distress, the FTC has sued more than 30 debt collection companies. On Wednesday, another one, Rincon Debt Management made the list and was shut down. Do you know your rights against abusive debt collectors?

Exclusive: Alleged Beauty Queen Fraudster Speaks Out

It can be tough to reconcile the two images of Juliette Kimoto: Mrs. Nevada 2006 and stay-at-home mom; and Internet scammer whom the FTC says ran a $30 million con. In our exclusive interview, she tells her side of the story, both pointing the finger at her ex-husband and defending what he did as just "marketing."

Former Beauty Queen Accused of Scamming Thousands

When Juliette Kimoto took to the stage to accept her crown as Mrs. Nevada in 2006, she seemed an obvious fit for the coveted pageant title. What she declined to mention, however, was that she was also engaged in an online operation that would eventually rob tens of thousands of people of $30 million.

Weak Economy Is a Boom Time for Financial Scammers

Millions of Americans fall victim to financial scams every year, and since the downturn began, many of those cons have been tailored to lure those suffering the most in our shaky economy: work-at-home schemes, fake mortgage modification services, fraudulent job opportunities and a host of unpleasant others.

Reebok to Refund $25M to Buyers of 'Toning Shoes'

Reebok's promise that its EasyTone and RunTone shoes could shape your legs and tone your butt sounded too good to be true. That's because they were, said the FTC Wednesday, when it ordered the footwear maker to give $25 million in partial refunds to customers who bought the products based on the inflated claims.

Waiting to Inherit: Not a Sound 'Financial Plan'

An estimated two-thirds of baby boomer households will receive an inheritance at some point, with a median amount of $64,000, according to an AARP study. I recently received an email from a reader who has fallen deeply into debt in anticipation of her legacy -- and is now worried that her bailout may not be at hand.

Don't Get Ripped Off on Post-Irene Home Repairs

The estimated tab for Hurricane Irene's fury is already in the billions of dollars. If you're among those who have property damage, proceed with caution -- you don't want to get hit again, this time by home repair companies that jack up their prices, do a poor job, or walk away before the work is finished.

How Washington Helped Birth a Billion Dollar Phone Scam

Almost 30 years ago, the government's breakup of AT&T changed how telecom billed customers, and scammers discovered a loophole that let them slip unauthorized fees onto consumers' monthly phone bills. Since then, "cramming" has grown into a multibillion dollar a year con game.

Bank Settlements Bring Homeowners a Bit of Relief

This week brought a bit of good news for some troubled homeowners in the form of two separate settlement activities. The FTC has begun mailing refund checks to 450,000 Countrywide customers, and Wells Fargo reached an $85 million settlement with the Fed that will provide relief to up to 10,000 customers.

The Financial Landscape: Big Pharma Wins; So Does Greece

It's a good day to be a drugmaker after two pro-business Supreme Court rulings favored the industry. And it's an even better day for those who are counting on the EU bailing out Greece. But the folks at Google may want to search for "defense lawyers" -- they may be seeing subpoenas shortly.