You try to help those you know that are struggling with serious diseases or addiction, but can you believe treatment promises? Questions: Source: Rayo, A. (2023). Before you believe addiction or cancer claims, read this. The FTC.gov, March 16 (Retrievable online at https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/02)
Posts Tagged: FTC
Watch out Walmart, Here they Come!
According to the Washington Post, Kroger and Albertsons are putting together a merger deal that could pose a competitive threat to Walmart and other grocery chains, as a major industry consolidation. Questions: Do you think that the merger will result in lower or higher prices for consumers? What types of issues is the FTC concerned… Read more »
Two Sets of Books
According to the New York Times, a congressional committee looking into wrongdoing within the Washington Commanders N.F.L. franchise referred the case to the Federal Trade Commission. Questions: What did the 20-page letter to the FTC allege? What is the basis of the team’s categorical denial of financial impropriety? If true, what would the allegations mean… Read more »
Facebook’s Victory
According to Reuters, Facebook hits $1 trillion value after the judge rejects antitrust complaints. Questions: Federal and state antitrust complaints sought to have Facebook sell what apps? Where did the judge find flaws in the arguments? What was the bright spot for the FTC in the case? Source: Bartz, D. and E. Culliford. (2021). Facebook… Read more »
What’s your following worth?
According to The New York Times, as the coronavirus continues to disrupt lives and livelihoods, influencers are offering free money to Instagram followers and gaining a lot more in return. Questions: What are popular personalities paying fans to do? Where does the cash come from? Although the cash offers on Instagram may look like lifelines… Read more »
Deceptive Practices
Progressive Leasing, which offers rent-to-own programs at major retailers like Best Buy and Lowe’s, has agreed to pay $175 million to settle allegations it misled consumers, the Federal Trade Commission said Monday. Questions: What trade violations did the complaint allege? Why did FTC Commissioner Rebecca Kelly Slaughter say that the settlement did not go far… Read more »
Equifax Hack Settlement
According to the Washington Post, nearly half of all Americans were affected by the 2017 Equifax data breach, where hackers stole personal data for more than 147 million people: credit card numbers, Social Security numbers and other identifying information. Now, as part of a settlement agreement with the Federal Trade Commission, the people whose data… Read more »
Fines have little impact
Typically, fines need to be high enough to change the behavior of a company. According to Buzz Feed News, $3 billion is too low to change the behavior of Facebook. Questions: During the first three months of 2019 after the $3 billion fine, how much did the revenues of the company grow? How much did… Read more »
Resignation of another CEO
Herbalife’s chief executive has resigned over unspecified comments he made before taking leadership of the Los Angeles supplement maker. Questions: 1. What did his previous remarks relate to? 2. Who is CEO Goudis’ replacement and what is the replacement’s background? 3. Why has Herbalife been in the news since 2015? Source: Pazzanghera, J. (2019). Herbalife… Read more »
Now you See it, Now you don’t.
The Federal Trade Commission has issued a warning to consumers that criminals are posing as government officials and asking people to use a gift card to pay a bogus tax bill or get a new Medicare card. Questions: 1. How much money was lost to this scam in 2015? 2. How much money was lost… Read more »