It’s the oldest trick in the book: Now you see it, now you don’t. This illusion is fine on a Las Vegas stage, but on an online retailer’s website, making negative reviews disappear is hardly magical. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) calls it review suppression – and companies engaging in this practice will be held accountable … Continue reading Abracadabra: Bad reviews be gone?
Tag: consumer protection
Gift cards are for gifts, not payments
Gift cards may be at the top of your holiday gift giving list. But there’s another list that gift cards top, and it’s decidedly less festive. According to the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC’s) latest Consumer Protection Data Spotlight, reports received in the Consumer Sentinel database reveal that gift cards are the #1 payment method of choice for scammers, leading to … Continue reading Gift cards are for gifts, not payments
Pennsylvania consumers protections under the Fair Credit Extension Uniformity Act
In previous blogs, I have discussed the protections provided consumers under the Federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (“FDCPA”). The FDCPA is a powerful deterrence to unscrupulous debt collectors and unlawful debt collection practices. The FDCPA is a comprehensive and reticulated statutory scheme, involving clear definitions, precise requirements, and particularized remedies. The validity of the … Continue reading Pennsylvania consumers protections under the Fair Credit Extension Uniformity Act
PUC Seeks Comments on Changes to Utility Regulations
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC or Commission) today issued for comment revisions to Chapter 56 of the Public Utility Code (Chapter 56), including but not limited to new utility reporting requirements, a new definition for medical certificates, an end to Friday utility service terminations, and installments for customers’ security deposits. The Commission voted 4-0 … Continue reading PUC Seeks Comments on Changes to Utility Regulations
National Consumer Protection Week
Prince Law Offices, P.C. and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) — working with more than 100 federal, state and local agencies, consumer groups, and national organizations — will spotlight efforts to protect consumers from fraud, identity theft and other consumer issues during National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), March 6-12, 2016. For 18 years, NCPW has … Continue reading National Consumer Protection Week
ASUS Settles FTC Charges Routers Put Consumers’ Privacy At Risk
ASUSTeK Computer, Inc. (ASUS) has agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that critical security flaws in its routers put the home networks of hundreds of thousands of consumers at risk. The administrative complaint also charges that the routers’ insecure “cloud” services led to the compromise of thousands of consumers’ connected storage devices, exposing their … Continue reading ASUS Settles FTC Charges Routers Put Consumers’ Privacy At Risk
A Consumer’s Rights Under Pennsylvania’s Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act.
In 2009, Pennsylvania enacted the Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act (“HICPA”) to protect consumers from unfair trade practices and fraudulent home improvement contractors. Prior to 2009, consumers could bring suit against home improvement contracts under several common law theories, including breach of contract or fraud. Nothing specifically dealt with the numerous so called home improvement … Continue reading A Consumer’s Rights Under Pennsylvania’s Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act.
Oracle Agrees to Settle FTC Charges It Deceived Consumers About Java Software Updates
According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Oracle has agreed to settle FTC charges that it deceived consumers about the security provided by updates to its Java Platform, Standard Edition software (Java SE), which is installed on more than 850 million personal computers. Under the terms of a proposed consent order, Oracle will be required … Continue reading Oracle Agrees to Settle FTC Charges It Deceived Consumers About Java Software Updates
FTC’s $100 million settlement with LifeLock
Today, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) released the following: The law may not authorize the use of light sabers, but to protect consumers and ensure that companies comply with existing orders, the FTC will use the forces within its power. It’s a lock that the agency’s $100 million settlement with LifeLock – one of the … Continue reading FTC’s $100 million settlement with LifeLock
Consumer Protection: Beware of New Credit Card Surcharges – Contact Us Immediately If Improperly Charged
By Matthew T. Hovey, Esquire Buyers beware! As of January 27, 2013, retailers in Pennsylvania can now charge customers a surcharge of 4% of all purchases paid for with most credit cards, including Visa and Mastercard. This change is the result of a legal settlement in anti-trust case between retailers and credit card companies which … Continue reading Consumer Protection: Beware of New Credit Card Surcharges – Contact Us Immediately If Improperly Charged
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