Last week, the FTC filed a complaint against an Internet-based enterprise that allegedly caused hundreds of thousands of consumers to pay millions of dollars in unauthorized credit card charges.  According to the complaint, the defendants’ websites advertise the availability of government grants to pay personal expenses and offer “free” information at no risk.  The websites ask consumers to provide credit or debit card numbers to pay a small shipping and handling fee, but consumers are charged large one-time fees of up to $129.95 and monthly recurring fees of up to $59.95 for the grant services. 

The FTC also has accused the defendants of posting deceptive positive reviews and testimonials.  The FTC has asked for the court to order refunds for affected consumers and for disgorgement of all ill-gotten payments, among other relief.

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Photo of Libbie Canter Libbie Canter

Libbie Canter represents a wide variety of multinational companies on privacy, cyber security, and technology transaction issues, including helping clients with their most complex privacy challenges and the development of governance frameworks and processes to comply with global privacy laws. She routinely supports…

Libbie Canter represents a wide variety of multinational companies on privacy, cyber security, and technology transaction issues, including helping clients with their most complex privacy challenges and the development of governance frameworks and processes to comply with global privacy laws. She routinely supports clients on their efforts to launch new products and services involving emerging technologies, and she has assisted dozens of clients with their efforts to prepare for and comply with federal and state privacy laws, including the California Consumer Privacy Act and California Privacy Rights Act.

Libbie represents clients across industries, but she also has deep expertise in advising clients in highly-regulated sectors, including financial services and digital health companies. She counsels these companies — and their technology and advertising partners — on how to address legacy regulatory issues and the cutting edge issues that have emerged with industry innovations and data collaborations.