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Stephen Wick
Nov 19, 20242 min read
The Justice Department is taking action to prevent the $3.3 billion merger between UnitedHealth and Amedisys
The U.S. Justice Department, alongside state attorneys general from Maryland, New York, New Jersey, and Illinois, has filed a lawsuit to blo
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Stephen Wick
Nov 7, 20243 min read
Analyzing the Allegations: Sitejabber's Deceptive Consumer Review Practices and the FTC's Response
FTC has proposed a settlement that would restrict Sitejabber from making misleading claims about consumer ratings or reviews in the future.
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Stephen Wick
Oct 29, 20244 min read
FTC to Refund Over $1 Million to Consumers Misled by Rhinelander Auto Center
The complaint further alleges that the dealership discriminated against American Indian customers by adding excessive markups to their finan
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Stephen Wick
Oct 23, 20244 min read
FTC Takes Action Against Qargo Coffee Franchise for Misleading Practices
https://www.thestevenwickblog.com/post/ftc-takes-action-against-qargo-coffee-franchise-for-misleading-practices
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Stephen Wick
Sep 25, 20242 min read
FTC Shuts Down $40 Million Unauthorized Billing and Credit Card Laundering Schemes Targeting CBD and Keto Products
A federal court, at the FTC's request, has approved settlements requiring marketers of CBD and keto products to forfeit assets—including a M
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Stephen Wick
Sep 10, 20245 min read
Justice Department Launches $18.5 Million Distribution for Western Union Fraud Victims
The second phase of the Western Union Remission began in March 2022 to accommodate victims who had not filed claims during the first distrib
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Stephen Wick
Jul 17, 20245 min read
FTC and FDA issue another round of cease-and-desist notices to companies marketing items with Delta-8 THC in packaging resembling children's snacks.
According to the letters, children can suffer serious health consequences from eating products containing cannabis, and they are at special
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Stephen Wick
Jul 1, 20244 min read
The FTC approves decree prohibiting Avast from selling or licensing web browsing data for advertising, ordering a payment of $16.5 million
From 2014 onwards, the FTC stated that Avast had gathered browsing data from consumers using browser extensions and antivirus software. This
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Stephen Wick
Jun 26, 20244 min read
Three Individuals Banned from Running Sweepstakes After FTC Takes Action Against Massive Scheme That Defrauded Consumers of Millions
The defendants have absolutely no affiliation with any sweepstakes and are unable to grant or compensate anyone with the promised prizes.
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Stephen Wick
Jun 18, 20245 min read
Adobe and Two of its Executives to face Lawsuit for purportedly breaching the Restore Online Shoppers' Confidence Act
The complaint further claims that Adobe has been profiting from this undisclosed fee for years, deceiving consumers about the actual costs o
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Stephen Wick
Jun 11, 20243 min read
$2.4 Million to be Distributed to Victims of Lurn Business Coaching Scheme per Federal Trade Commission Demands
The complaint highlights that although these programs cost thousands of dollars, very few, if any, consumers actually earned money, despite
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Stephen Wick
May 29, 20244 min read
Maryland's Attorney General Brown Supports FTC Effort to Protect Car Buyers: The CARS Rule Would Protect Consumers During New Vehicle Sales, Financing, and Leasing
The CARS Rule strictly forbids the use of bait-and-switch tactics by dealerships, where they entice customers with false promises and only d
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Stephen Wick
May 16, 20244 min read
Manzi, Ivan Esquivel, and Robert Kissinger, operators of Express Enrollment LLC (also DBA as SLFD Processing) & Intercontinental Solutions LLC caught in an alleged debt relief scam
These deceitful individuals posed as representatives of the U.S. Department of Education, enticing students with the allure of "Biden Loan F
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Stephen Wick
May 11, 20245 min read
BetterHelp To Pay Over $7.8 million to settle Federal Trade Commission Allegations Sharing Consumers’ Health Data Third Parties for Advertising
Customers of BetterHelp will receive notifications regarding refunds linked to a privacy settlement reached with the Federal Trade Commissio
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Stephen Wick
Apr 30, 20245 min read
Razer, Inc. penalized into making payment of over $1.1 million for falsely representing the effectiveness and performance of their alleged "N95-Grade" Zephyr Face Masks
The defendants started off by deceptively promoting their Zephyr masks as N95 or N95-equivalent masks that would safeguard consumers against
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Stephen Wick
Apr 24, 20246 min read
The FTC prohibits the majority of employers from implementing noncompete clauses, bringing a sense of relief to workers who were previously bound by such agreements
After careful consideration, the Commission has concluded that it is unjust and against fair competition for employers to engage in noncompe
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Stephen Wick
Apr 23, 20245 min read
FTC takes action to prevent Tapestry from acquiring Capri: The Commission asserts that this merger would stifle competition by giving Tapestry a significant portion of the high-end handbag industry
Tapestry and Capri are engaged in a fierce competition across various product categories, ranging from clothing to eyewear to shoes. However
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Stephen Wick
Apr 6, 20244 min read
Online Real Estate Listing Service Opendoor Labs to Pay up close to $62 million in Refunds to Sellers who were misled
Opendoor's marketing materials were filled with eye-catching charts that compared the net proceeds of their customers when selling to Opendo
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Stephen Wick
Mar 25, 20247 min read
The Federal Trade Commission Issues over $10 million in refunds to consumers who were affected by Response Marketing Group, LLC, as well as its affiliates Nudge, LLC, BuyPD, LLC, and their principals
These included claims that customers received special access to a funding network allowing them to conduct real estate deals without using t
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Stephen Wick
Mar 13, 20247 min read
Choice Hotels Ends Attempt to Acquire Wyndham Hotels & Resorts: The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Wyndham and Other Companies Breathe a Sigh of Relief
They saw it as a pro-competitive move that would generate significant value. Unfortunately for Choice, the reactions to their proposal were
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