[{"id":2991849,"link":"https://www.oecd.org/fr/publications/evaluation-mise-a-jour-et-suivi-des-strategies-de-lutte-contre-la-fraude_7959fee6-fr.html","description":"Alors que l’ampleur et l’impact de la fraude ne cessent de croître, les pays doivent disposer d’outils efficaces pour prévenir, détecter et gérer les risques tout en préservant l’intégrité des dépenses publiques et la confiance. Bien que de nombreuses stratégies anti-fraude existent, les dispositifs de suivi et d’évaluation restent","title":"Évaluation, mise à jour et suivi des stratégies de lutte contre la fraude : Une méthodologie"},{"link":"https://www.oecd.org/fr/about/news/press-releases/2026/06/farm-incomes-set-to-rise-over-next-decade-but-volatility-puts-gains-at-risk.html","description":"Le revenu agricole brut moyen par actif est attendu en hausse de 9 %, à l’échelle mondiale, d’ici 2035, tiré par les gains de productivité et par la stabilité globale des prix agricoles, d’après un nouveau rapport publié aujourd’hui par l’Organisation des Nations Unies pour l’alimentation et l’agriculture (FAO) et l’Organisation de coopération","title":"Les revenus agricoles sont attendus en hausse au cours de la prochaine décennie – mais la volatilité risque de compromettre les gains réalisés","id":2991847},{"description":"La confiance dans les pouvoirs publics s’est stabilisée dans les pays de l’OCDE, après une phase de recul, d’après un nouveau rapport de l’OCDE intitulé Résultats 2026 de l’enquête de l’OCDE sur les déterminants de la confiance dans les institutions publiques. Il ressort de ce rapport que 40 %, en moyenne, des personnes interrogées dans les","title":"La confiance se stabilise, mais les citoyens ont toujours le sentiment de ne pas être entendus – Enquête de l’OCDE sur la confiance","link":"https://www.oecd.org/fr/about/news/press-releases/2026/06/trust-steadies-but-people-still-do-not-feel-heard-oecd-trust-survey.html","id":2991848},{"title":"General Council Chair outlines way forward on WTO reform, identifies facilitators","description":"At a heads of delegation meeting on 26 June, the General Council Chair Ambassador Clare Kelly of New Zealand outlined the next steps for moving to the substantive phase of WTO reform, including indicative checkpoints to monitor progress. Reporting on her consultations with members, the Chair noted that many members underlined the urgency and importance of the work on WTO reform. She said that facilitators have been identified for the main areas of reform work, based on members'","link":"https://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news26_e/gc_26jun26_432_e.htm","id":2991750},{"id":2991611,"link":"https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/blog/2019/11/disclosures-101-new-ftc-resources-social-media-influencers","description":"Disclosures 101: New FTC resources for social media influencers lfair November 5, 2019 | 12:23PM Disclosures 101: New FTC resources for social media influencers By Lesley Fair Are you an influencer who works with brands to recommend or endorse products or services in social media? Or perhaps you’re an advertiser that uses influencers in your marketing. The FTC just issued a publication you need to know about: Disclosures 101 for Social Media Influencers . And that’s not all. To accompany the brochure, the FTC released a new video to help streamline influencers’ and advertisers’ efforts to stay on the right side of the law. The publication is new, but it breaks the compliance message down to the well-established basics. If you endorse a product or service through social media, your endorsement message should make it obvious when you have a relationship – a “material connection” – with the brand. What’s a “material connection”? It could be a personal, family, or employment relationship or a financial relationship – for example, if a brand pays you or gives you free or discounted products. Disclosures 101 for Social Media Influencers discusses when to disclose, how to disclose, and what else influencers need to know. It also answers questions on influencers’ minds: How does the disclosure requirement apply in pictures, videos, and live streams? What about tags, likes, and pins? What kind of wording effectively discloses a material connection? What about influencers who post from outside the United States? What if a person doesn’t have a relationship with a brand, but is just telling others about a product they bought and happen to like? Is it OK to assume a platform’s disclosure tool is good enough? (Spoiler alert: No, that’s not OK.) How can you use this new resource? Read the brochure. Disclosures 101 for Social Media Influencers is heavy on the specifics and light on the legal mumbo jumbo. Ten minutes is all it takes for influencers to understand the basics. If you work for an advertiser, PR firm, or agency that works regularly with influencers, get free copies from the FTC bulk order site to share with your team, use it to supplement your training efforts, and then monitor what influencers are doing on your behalf. Share what you know. Influencers and the brands that use them should want everyone to follow the same established truth-in-advertising standards. Tell your networks about the new publication and talk it up at industry events. Looking for more resources? Visit ftc.gov/influencers . Watch the video. To go along with the brochure, the FTC has produced a video that explains some compliance fundamentals. Use it as a training refresher.","title":"Disclosures 101: New FTC resources for social media influencers"},{"id":2991612,"description":"Settlement with operator of post-secondary schools offers an education about lead generation lfair August 27, 2019 | 11:55AM Settlement with operator of post-secondary schools offers an education about lead generation By Lesley Fair Colleges are known for team sports, but it’s an unfortunate fact that consumer deception can be a team sport, too. A proposed FTC settlement with Career Education Corporation, American InterContinental University, Colorado Technical University, and related defendants alleges they used illegal game plans to lure consumers to their post-secondary and vocational schools. MVP “teammates” in the deceptive venture were lead generators who duped consumers into divulging personal information under false pretenses. Defendant CEC has operated numerous post-secondary and vocational schools currently attended by 35,000 students, primarily online. In addition to advertising its schools on radio and TV, on the internet, and in social media – promotions that often targeted members of the military – CEC used more than 70 lead generators, some of whom acquired leads by means of deception or illegal phone calls. If you followed the FTC’s settlement with Sun Key Publishing and related defendants , the tactics may sound familiar. For example, the Sun Key lead generators created webpages with URLs like army.com, air-force.com, or navyenlist.com that led consumers to conclude the sites had an official connection to military recruiting. Exploiting the misimpression they created, the lead generators got consumers to turn over personal data, which was then used by companies like CEC to pitch their schools. Lead generator Expand, Inc., also the subject of an FTC enforcement action , used a variation on the scheme. Expand targeted consumers looking for work, claiming to need their personal information to help them apply for “job postings.” But just as Sun Key used the deceptive cover of military recruiting to collect data, Expand donned the disguise of a job board. And CEC again used the data to sell its schools. Another CEC lead generator was Edutrek, a company the FTC has also sued for allegedly using bogus jobs and benefits sites to collect personal information from unsuspecting consumers. The FTC says CEC should have known that the leads had been acquired through deception. Just like every other company, it’s CEC’s responsibility to make sure it’s not profiting off of deception. This means that companies can’t just turn a blind eye to their lead generators’ practices. And the complaint says that CEC did – or didn’t do – much more than that. CEC didn’t alter the fundamentally deceptive misimpression that the sites were for military recruiting or employment. And the FTC alleges CEC even approved telemarketing scripts that included flat-out falsities – for example, scripts that told telemarketers to identify themselves in voicemail greetings as working at “Military Verification Services.” The complaint charges that the illegal tactics persisted during the calls. In some instances, CEC lead generators’ telemarketers continued the charade that they were affiliated with the military or potential employers. In addition, the FTC says they illegally called numbers on the National Do Not Call Registry CEC’s own in-house telemarketers engaged in illegal conduct, too. The lawsuit alleges they used high-pressure sales tactics to get consumers to enroll in its schools, even when the school didn’t offer the course of study the person wanted to pursue. And the calls were often relentless. The FTC says that CEC policy permitted its telemarketers to call the same consumer up to six times a day. In many instances, CEC placed hundreds of outbound autodialed calls to a single phone number. The complaint against CEC alleges violations of the FTC Act for numerous misrepresentations made by the company’s lead generators. In addition, the lawsuit challenges multiple violations of the Telemarketing","title":"Settlement with operator of post-secondary schools offers an education about lead generation","link":"https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/blog/2019/08/settlement-operator-post-secondary-schools-offers-education-about-lead-generation"},{"id":2991613,"link":"https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/blog/2019/05/help-prepare-your-workforce-weather-emergency","description":"Help prepare your workforce for a weather emergency lfair May 30, 2019 | 11:12AM Help prepare your workforce for a weather emergency By Lesley Fair June 1st marks the start of hurricane season, but weather emergencies can happen anytime. The FTC encourages businesses to have a plan in place to safeguard your facilities, products, and data. And we’ve just introduced new resources aimed at helping you protect your workforce. Like your business, your employees need to prepare for extreme conditions – a task best undertaken when skies are sunny. Helping them formulate a personal plan can save lives and mitigate property losses. In addition, a resilient workforce makes it easier for your business to get back to business as soon as possible. The FTC’s new site, Dealing with Weather Emergencies , available at www.ftc.gov/weatheremergencies , has practical advice to help your staff prepare for the unexpected, spot the scams that often follow, and get back on their feet financially. What’s covered on the new site ? Everything from conducting a household inventory and stocking a secure grab-and-go box of essential documents to choosing a trusted out-of-town contact and managing money after an emergency. (We even link to tips on protecting the family pet.) Here are three ways your business can use these new resources: Share www.ftc.gov/weatheremergencies with your staff.   Telling your team “We care about your safety” is nice, but offering concrete resources shows what kind of company they work for. Spring for some snacks and sponsor a coffee break with a purpose. Enlist your HR expert to help your employees develop personal preparedness plans. Care for your community.   Are you active in local business organizations and community groups? Encourage them to take up the cause of preparedness. Use your social networks to share the FTC’s new advice with colleagues and customers. Be part of the solution.   If disaster strikes, use your standing in the business community to help people get back on their feet. We’ve put together a customizable one-page handout, Picking Up the Pieces after a Disaster , with key tips drawn from the FTC’s site. You can download the template, add local consumer protection and emergency service contacts, print copies, and distribute them. Maybe your company has weathered the storm of flooding, fires, hurricanes, etc. Based on your experience, what advice can you share with other businesses about preparing for emergencies?","title":"Help prepare your workforce for a weather emergency"},{"link":"https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/blog/2019/03/recipe-rosca-violation","description":"Recipe for a ROSCA violation lfair March 7, 2019 | 12:20PM Recipe for a ROSCA violation By Lesley Fair From the FTC’s perspective, a certain pattern of online business has become a recipe for consumer injury . Start with a misleading “risk-free” trial offer. Add a hefty undisclosed charge if consumers don’t quickly cancel the “risk-free” trial. Cook up an undisclosed automatic shipment program that sends consumers unordered merchandise. Top with hard-to-follow upsells that add another layer of confusion . Fold in illegal charges to consumers’ credit or debit cards. Freeze out people who try to stop the unauthorized shipments and charges. Cover with straw owners to hide the defendants’ activities. It’s an unappetizing entrée that leaves consumers queasy . An d it’s a marketing scheme the FTC has challenged yet again – this time in a lawsuit against Puerto Rico-based Gopalkrishna Pai and eight companies he owns , alleging violations of the Restore Online Shoppers' Confidence Act (ROSCA) . The main ingredients in this case were online “risk-free” trials of skin care products sold in pairs – Vita Luminance and Regenelift, Derma Vibrance and Nuevoderm, Revived Youth Cream and Revived Youth Serum, and Aura Youth Cream and Aura Youth Serum. According to the FTC, the check-out pages led consumers to believe their credit cards would be billed just for a $4.95 shipping and handling fee. Below the large turquoise COMPLETE CHECKOUT button were two small line of grey type that said “Initially, just pay $4.95 for S&H today to fully evaluate Vita Luminance Cream for fourteen (14) days. We know that you’ll love your smooth, wrinkle free skin. You will receive your product within 5 business days.” But there was something buried even below the already hard-to-read fine print: a tiny “terms and conditions” hyperlink. Only by clicking on that obscure link would consumers learn that at the end of the 14- or 15-day trial period, the defendants would charge them the full price of the product – $90 or more – and enroll them in an auto-ship program with recurring charges until they cancelled. The FTC says the illegality didn’t end there. The defendants supersized the misleading deal during the check-out process by claiming to offer another “risk-free” trial of a second product that promised to “maximize your results” for another $4.95 shipping payment. But according to the FTC, that second offer came with the same strings attached, the same unauthorized credit card charges, and yet another undisclosed auto-ship progra m. The defendants said on their websites that consumers could cancel anytime by phone or email, but the FTC says that claim, too, was poco fiable – not reliable. In fact, m any of the customer service reps consumers reached spoke only Spanish and the recorded messages on some of the defendants’ phones were only in Spanish. Even if consumers were able to speak with an operator, the FTC says people often received only a partial refund or no refund at all and in many instances the onslaught of unordered merchandise continued. The complaint also alleges that , to get the merchant accounts he needed to process credit and debit card sales, defendant Pai used more than 100 phony names in an effort to camouflage his operation from payment processing entities and banks. One favorite trick: falsifying employer identification numbers to hide the fact that he was behind all of the accounts. According to the lawsuit, “By doing so, Pai shielded himself from consumer complaints and chargeback disputes related to sales processed through his LLCs’ merchant accounts, thereby evading detection from consumers, financial institutions, and law enforcement.” That wasn’t his only attempt to hoodwink the payment system. According to the complaint, Pai had “clean” sites he showed just to merchant processors – sites that differed markedly","title":"Recipe for a ROSCA violation","id":2991614},{"id":2991605,"title":"Will a $63 million FTC-CFPB settlement encourage Green Tree to turn over a new leaf?","description":"Will a $63 million FTC-CFPB settlement encourage Green Tree to turn over a new leaf? lfair April 21, 2015 | 1:07PM Will a $63 million FTC-CFPB settlement encourage Green Tree to turn over a new leaf? By Lesley Fair As the name suggests, Green Tree Servicing was supposed to service homeowners’ mortgages by collecting and crediting monthly payments. But according to a $63 million settlement announced by the FTC and CFPB , rather than service, Green Tree gave many homeowners the business. Mortgages are often transferred during the life of a loan, so consumers may find themselves locked in a relationship with a servicer they didn’t select – and with no opportunity to shop around. Green Tree was a big name in servicing loans for manufactured housing, but recently made a major move into the residential market. It billed itself as a “high-touch servicer” – a euphemism for a company that places frequent collection calls in an effort to get people to make timely payments. With that strategy, it’s not surprising that Green Tree acquired the mortgages of a proportionally higher percentage of people already in financial trouble. For many of those cash-strapped consumers, that’s when things went from bad to worse. According to the lawsuit , when homeowners were even just one day late with their payments, Green Tree’s collectors often unleashed a barrage of phone calls, some starting as early as 5 in the morning or continuing until as late as 11PM. The collectors didn’t limit themselves to home phones, getting some people in trouble by calling them at work. They illegally threatened them with arrest or imprisonment, used obscene language, and mocked the problems that led to their financial distress. (One collector said to a woman, “You should leave your husband if he can’t provide for you.”) Green Tree’s loose-lipped collectors were known to discuss people’s debts with bosses, co-workers, neighbors, and family. When borrowers sought options like loan modifications or short sales, Green Tree allegedly mishandled many of those requests, leaving consumers in even worse straits. For example, some homeowners were in the process of finalizing loan modifications with other servicers when their mortgages were suddenly transferred to Green Tree. Rather than honoring those arrangements, Green Tree often yanked that lifeline from people struggling to stay afloat. Others were told they’d have to pony up payment before they could even be considered for certain loan modification programs – an illogical (and often illegal) requirement for folks who had already sent out a financial SOS. In addition, the lawsuit charges that when homeowners tried to get a short sale approved, Green Tree said it would respond within a set period – say, 30 days. But Green Tree dragged its feet, sometimes taking as long as six months to respond. As a result, people faced foreclosures that could have been avoided. According to the complaint, even when managing homeowners’ accounts and payments – the bread and butter of a mortgage servicer – Green Tree often overcharged people. For example, Green Tree knew or had reason to know that some borrowers had received loan modifications from their former servicers, but went ahead and insisted on the original amount. And in numerous cases, Green Tree pressured people to use a method called Speedpay, which the company falsely claimed or implied was the only way to make a payment or the sole choice to avoid a late fee. Using Speedpay cost a $12 “convenience” fee per transaction – but convenient for whom? Not necessarily consumers, many of whom could have used free methods and still avoided late fees. The lawsuit also alleges Green Tree helped itself to payments from consumers’ bank accounts without their authorization. For example, homeowners who gave Green Tree their account numbers to set up a one-time payment through Speedpay later discovered the company had used the information to","link":"https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/blog/2015/04/will-63-million-ftc-cfpb-settlement-encourage-green-tree-turn-over-new-leaf"},{"link":"https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/blog/2020/12/one-thing-marketers-cbd-products-need-know-right-now","description":"One thing marketers of CBD products need to know right now lfair December 17, 2020 | 9:28AM One thing marketers of CBD products need to know right now By Lesley Fair “It’s the Wild West out there!” How often have you heard that statement made about health claims for products containing CBD? But here’s the thing: It’s not the Wild West. In fact, health-related representations for CBD products are subject to the same established requirements of scientific substantiation the FTC has applied for decades to any advertised health claim. That’s the message of Operation CBDeceit, a law enforcement sweep challenging allegedly unproven representations that CBD products would treat diseases and serious medical conditions like cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and more. In Operation CBDeceit, the FTC announced proposed settlements with six companies that marketed gummies, lozenges, oils, balms, and other products containing cannabidiol (CBD) to prevent or treat serious diseases and health conditions. Bionatrol Health, LLC . According to the complaint, Utah-based Bionatrol Health, Isle Revive, Marcelo Torre and Anthony McCabe falsely claimed – among other things – that Bionatrol Full-Spectrum CBD oil has been “medically proven” to treat hypertension, chronic pain, cardiovascular disease, and other conditions. The respondents also said their products could replace the need for prescription painkillers. In addition, the FTC alleges that when consumers ordered one bottle, the respondents sold them more than what they asked for and illegally charged their credit cards without authorization. CBD Meds, Inc . The FTC alleges that California-based CBD Meds, G2 Hemp, and Lawrence Moses deceptively advertised their CBD oil for “the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and HIV dementia.” They also pitched it as a treatment for multiple sclerosis, glaucoma, diabetes, schizophrenia, and a host of other conditions. What’s more, the FTC says the respondents falsely advertised that a “laboratory study” conducted by the “United States Federal Government” showed that “CBD may make chemotherapy more effective and increase cancer cell death without harming normal cells.” Epichouse LLC . Based in Utah, Epichouse (consumers may know them by the name First Class Herbalist) and John Le sold CBD-based oils, coffees, creams, and gummies with what the FTC says were deceptive promises that the products would prevent – among other things – age-related cognitive decline, cancer, chronic pain, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, and migraines. The respondents also pitched their products as safe for all users and more effective for pain relief than prescription medication. The complaint alleges they falsely claimed that scientific research supported many of their prevention, treatment, and cure claims. HempmeCBD . “ [I]n a recent study, Israeli research has shown an 80% success rate in reducing problematic behavior in children with Autism using CBD.” That’s just one of the eye-catching – and allegedly false – claims Boca Raton respondents HempmeCBD, EasyButter, and Michael Solomon made for their CBD shea butter, gummies, lozenges, vape pens, or oils. The FTC charged that the respondents also made misleading treatment representations regarding AIDS, autism, bipolar disorder, cancer, depression, epilepsy, PTSD, and other serious conditions. Reef Industries . The FTC’s lawsuit against California companies Reef Industries, Inc., Cannatera, Inc., and AndHemp, Ltd., and three principals – Andrew M. Bouchie, John R. Cavanaugh, and Shaun Paquette – charges that they made false or misleading claims for CBD gummies, gel caps, sprays, lotions, vape oils, and other products. Respondents represented that CBD products effectively prevent or treat Alzheimer’s disease, Crohn’s disease, epilepsy, heart disease, lupus,","title":"One thing marketers of CBD products need to know right now","id":2991606},{"id":2991607,"description":"Online Trading Academy settles charges it made deceptive money-making claims and tried to gag consumers lfair September 15, 2020 | 1:07PM Online Trading Academy settles charges it made deceptive money-making claims and tried to gag consumers By Lesley Fair In a lawsuit filed earlier this year, the FTC alleged that Online Trading Academy made unsubstantiated mega-bucks promises about their purported investment training programs. According to the complaint – and the defendants’ own data – for most OTA customers, the only time they saw big money was as it flew out of their hands and into the defendants’ pockets. Under the terms of a settlement , OTA founder Eyal Shachar and others will pay millions toward refunds for consumers. In addition, OTA will have to forgive the debt of thousands of customers who took out financing to take their courses. Among other things, the settlement prohibits the defendants from making express or implied earnings claims unless they’re non-misleading and supported by written materials that substantiate their representations – documents that must be available upon request to consumers, potential purchasers, and the FTC. To address alleged violations of the Consumer Review Fairness Act , the order prohibits the use of contract terms that limit consumers’ ability to review the defendants’ products and services. It also bars the defendants from imposing contract terms to restrict consumers’ communications with the FTC and any other law enforcement agency. For consumers with contracts that contain those provisions, the defendants must contact them personally with a notice titled “Your Right to Post Honest Reviews and File Complaints.” For consumers who took out loans to pay for training, the settlement requires OTA to offer debt forgiveness to consumers whose debt OTA currently holds. In addition, the settlement requires defendant Shachar to pay at least $8.3 million. He’ll also have to surrender the Cessna airplane, the Bentley, the Escalade, the motor home, and six minivans. For every dollar of debt forgiveness that consumers accept, Shachar’s required payment will be decreased by 70 cents, up to $4 million. Darren Kimoto must pay $736,300 and surrender a 2017 Land Rover. Samuel R. Seiden must pay $158,000. The cash and proceeds of the property sales will be used for consumer refunds. Consumers who are eligible for debt forgiveness will receive both an email and a letter from the defendants explaining the application process. Looking for details about the settlement? The FTC has more information .","link":"https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/blog/2020/09/online-trading-academy-settles-charges-it-made-deceptive-money-making-claims-tried-gag-consumers","title":"Online Trading Academy settles charges it made deceptive money-making claims and tried to gag consumers"},{"id":2991608,"link":"https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/blog/2020/06/new-ftc-covid-19-warning-letters-take-total-250","description":"New FTC COVID-19 warning letters take total to 250 lfair June 18, 2020 | 12:04PM New FTC COVID-19 warning letters take total to 250 By Lesley Fair Saunas, IV vitamins, pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) devices, and licorice – yes, licorice – are among the subjects of the latest round of FTC staff warning letters sent to 30 companies promoting their products and services with COVID-19 prevention or treatment claims. Who got the latest letters and what representations raised concerns? Arlington Integrative Medical Center.   The Texas clinic advertised on its website (and in ALL CAPS): “PROTECT YOUR FAMILY FROM CORONAVIRUS! GIVE YOUR IMMUNITY A ROCKET BOOST TODAY WITH OUR IV VITAMIN INFUSION. SUPPLIES ARE RUNNING OUT! JUST A 30 MIN TREATMENT CAN KEEP YOUR IMMUNITY STRONG FOR UP TO 30 DAYS ONLY $150!!” Anatara.   Also known as the San Francisco Stem Cell Treatment Center, the company promoted its treatments with the claim, “In addition to natural supplements, more advanced therapies such as stem cell therapy and exosome therapy may be beneficial for prevention COVID-19.” Big Sky Compounding.  On a webpage titled “Coronavirus Tips COVID-19,” the Montana business promoted a variety of products it sold as purported anti-virals, including elderberry, umcka, oregacillin, and licorice. BioBalance PEMF.   The Maryland business promoted pulsed electromagnetic field devices (PEMF) for the prevention or treatment of coronavirus: “Keeping yourself safe during this COVID 19 pandemic is the top priority for anyone. PEMF is an incredible drug-free technology that is currently one of the best ways to help prevent the virus from getting fatal.” BioXcellerator.   On Facebook and on its webpage, the Arizona company advertised its treatments with representations like this: “[S]tudies have shown that MSCs [mesenchymal stem cells] improved functional outcomes, demonstrating that IV infusions of MSCs is a safe and effective approach for treating patients with COVID-19 pneumonia, including elderly patients with severe cases of pneumonia.” CBD Center.   Online and in social media, the California company promoted its CBD products by stating “Have you heard the great news?!?!?! CBD is being researched as a possible preventative and active treatment for COVID-19.” Colts Neck Stem Cell Center.   The clinic advertised its stem cell therapy with the claim, “Best way to protect yourself from COVID-19 is to boost your immune system . . . 1 Vial of Biogenix Stem Cells will modulate your immune system to ward off corona virus. 3 Vials will assist patients to survive with corona virus.” Eastbay Wellness Pte Ltd.  The Singapore company promoted pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) devices on its website, stating “You probably have also come across countless alternative and home remedies to fight and prevent the virus since currently there are no approved treatment solutions available. . . . If you are an owner of any PEMF system already, the answer is simple. Use it, while you find out the efficacy of PEMF against the COVID-19 Corona Virus. . . .” Encode Nutrition.   In promoting its products, the Nevada business stated that Formula-216 “is testing well in preliminary trials, to restore 24/7 vitamin C synthesis to humans. In the end, it may be the only hope for vulnerable human populations against a growing number of treatment resistant pathogenic bacteria and viruses that now threaten humanity.” Fussy Body.   On its website, the company claimed “coconut oil may protect you from coronavirus COVID-19,” and included affiliate links to a variety of products. Dr. Miguel Gonzalez.   The California doctor promoted Vitamin C IV therapy on his website, on Facebook, and on Instagram with statements like this: “Early high dose IV Vitamin C is being used and found to be the only effective treatment to fight the coronavirus aka Covid-19, which just shows the","title":"New FTC COVID-19 warning letters take total to 250"},{"id":2991609,"description":"FTC in action lfair April 23, 2020 | 12:05PM FTC in action By Carol Kando-Pineda In these unprecedented times, the Commission is working on all fronts to stop pandemic-related scams or deception – and to warn consumers and businesses about them. But our work in other areas continues, too. Today, we’re taking a minute to take stock of some of the highlights from 2019 . Law and order. Fraudulent telemarketers, disreputable debt collectors, imposters, and other schemers follow the headlines and are good at what they do. That’s why the FTC’s investigations and lawsuits are so important – they uncover scammers’ lies and close down their operations. On the consumer protection front, the Commission: obtained 19 administrative orders, 97 orders requiring redress, disgorgement, and permanent injunctions, and 10 civil penalty orders; and filed 27 administrative actions, 41 matters in federal court, and eight civil penalty matters. Money for consumers. When we can, we get money back for people who lost it – and in 2019, the Commission got back more than $232 million in refunds for consumers. Breaking new ground. The Commission achieved some notable “firsts” in 2019, such as its first case to challenge fake paid reviews on an independent retail site and its first case against a VOIP service provider for a key role in promoting a deceptive scheme. Staying in the loop. In 2019, this blog – with nearly 83,000 subscribers – featured  119 blog posts for businesspeople and attorneys. During the same period, the public ordered more than 1.6 million copies of 17 business publications (in English and Spanish) and watched the FTC’s business videos for more than 165,800 views. Talking to influencers. Last year, the Commission launched its new publication, Disclosures 101 for Social Media Influencers , which offers guidance to influencers and advertisers about how to communicate the “clear and conspicuous” standard in a legally accurate way. The brochure was designed to convey the information in a manner that resonates with a social media-savvy audience. The accompanying how-to video registered more than 17,000 views in its first two months. On the road. Last summer, the FTC held Green Lights-Red Flags: FTC Rules of the Road , a workshop in Atlanta that covered truth-in-advertising, data security, antitrust law basics, and other compliance topics. More than 200 business executives, in-house counsel, law firm practitioners, and ad agency personnel attended.","title":"FTC in action","link":"https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/blog/2020/04/ftc-action"},{"description":"Folder-in-due-course doctrine? lfair February 11, 2020 | 11:23AM Folder-in-due-course doctrine? By Lesley Fair You’ve heard of the holder-in-due-course doctrine. An FTC settlement with two Oregon-based businesses introduces the folder -in-due-course doctrine: the principle that it’s illegal to make misleading claims to induce small businesses to buy advertising space in promotional folders. It’s the latest FTC action challenging deceptive practices that target smaller companies. Telemarketers for Production Media Group Corporation, The Ferraro Group, and Jennifer Ferraro cold-called small businesses to get them to buy advertising space in promotional folders. Some telemarketers told the businesses they had agreements with local real estate offices to use the folders to distribute documents related to the purchase of a home. Part of the sales pitch was that folders featuring the business’ ads would be the only folders those offices would use for that purpose. In other instances, telemarketers said local schools would use those folders – and only those folders – to send papers and homework home to parents. In either case, they represented that the folders were going to print soon and that by buying advertising space, small businesses could promote their services to hundreds, and perhaps thousands, of prospective customers for one year. The millions of dollars the defendants took in suggest the spiel was successful. If businesses were concerned that folders might include ads for competitors – for example, another home inspection service or dentist in the area – the defendants’ telemarketers were ready with a rejoinder. Sales people were instructed to ask, “Would your decision be based on whether or not you are exclusive?” If the business said yes, the scripted response was “Great, let’s get you signed up, that’s definitely something I can do for you.” The FTC says operators also created a sense of urgency by telling businesses there were only a few spaces left in the folder and that a particular folder was about to be printed in time for the next school year or once the last advertisement was sold. A quick turnaround was important to many businesses eager to get their ads out there ASAP. You’ll want to read the complaint for how the FTC says the defendants used a purported “reservation form” to impose new material conditions and disclaim their own salespeople’s oral representations, but it boiled down to this. Only after giving the defendants their credit card numbers did buyers learn that printing might not happen for months, ad exclusivity wasn’t guaranteed, and they couldn’t cancel or get a refund. The lawsuit alleges that in numerous instances, the promised ads never appeared or were printed only after businesses complained to the BBB, consumer protection agencies, or their credit card issuers. What’s more, the company solicited under different names over the years and later incorporated a new company in a different state under another different name. Given the number of unfavorable reviews the defendants had received on Yelp and other sites, that action made it easier for them to distance themselves from negative customer feedback and harder for consumers to research the offer before signing up. The  stipulated order includes broad injunctive provisions to protect consumers in the future. It also includes a $22 million judgment, which for the most part will be suspended due to the defendants’ financial condition.   The message for small businesses is to recognize that your phone can be a conduit for customers – and questionable promotions. Whether the offer involves office supplies, ad space, or anything else your business buys, educate your staff to exercise caution and investigate thoroughly before responding to cold calls. The FTC brochure Scams and Your Small Business explains some common forms of B2B deception. Share the link with colleagues and order","title":"Folder-in-due-course doctrine?","link":"https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/blog/2020/02/folder-due-course-doctrine","id":2991610},{"id":2991519,"link":"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2026/698http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2026/698/madehttp://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2026/698/made/data.xmlhttp://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2026/698/made/data.rdfhttp://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2026/698/made/data.aknhttp://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2026/698/made/data.xhthttp://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2026/698/made/data.htmlhttp://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2026/698/made/data.htmhttp://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2026/698/made/data.csvhttp://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2026/698/made/data.pdfhttp://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2026/698/contents/made","description":"These Regulations amend and modify primary and subordinate legislation to make further consequential provision in connection with the removal of the lifetime allowance and the lifetime allowance charge by the Finance (No. 2) Act 2023 (c. 30) and the Finance Act 2024 (c.","title":"The Pensions (Abolition of Lifetime Allowance Charge etc) Regulations 2026"},{"id":2991520,"link":"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ssi/2026/216http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2026/216/madehttp://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2026/216/pdfs/ssi_20260216_en.pdfhttp://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2026/216/contents/made","title":"The South East Scotland Trunk Roads (Temporary Prohibitions of Traffic and Overtaking and Temporary Speed Restrictions) (No. 6) Order 2026"},{"id":2991521,"title":"The South West Scotland Trunk Roads (Temporary Prohibitions of Traffic and Overtaking and Temporary Speed Restrictions) (No. 6) Order 2026","link":"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ssi/2026/217http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2026/217/madehttp://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2026/217/pdfs/ssi_20260217_en.pdfhttp://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2026/217/contents/made"},{"description":"This Order sets the carbon budget for the 2038-2042 budgetary period at 535 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent. Carbon budgets set a cap on the maximum level of the net UK carbon account for each five-year budgetary period. The net UK carbon account is defined in section 27 of the Climate Change Act","link":"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2026/695http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2026/695/madehttp://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2026/695/made/data.xmlhttp://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2026/695/made/data.rdfhttp://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2026/695/made/data.aknhttp://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2026/695/made/data.xhthttp://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2026/695/made/data.htmlhttp://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2026/695/made/data.htmhttp://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2026/695/made/data.csvhttp://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2026/695/made/data.pdfhttp://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2026/695/contents/made","title":"The Carbon Budget Order 2026","id":2991518},{"id":2991089,"title":"OECD Economic Surveys: Korea 2026","link":"https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/oecd-economic-surveys-korea-2026_6b87f585-en.html"},{"description":"Promoting Social Connectedness Through Food presents food-centred evidence and case studies to contribute to practical knowledge on how government and non-government actors can work together to boost opportunities and spaces for connection within communities. As loneliness and social isolation rise on the policy agenda, the report focuses on","link":"https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/promoting-social-connectedness-through-food_1fdd5254-en.html","title":"Promoting Social Connectedness Through Food","id":2991090},{"description":"Ce rapport annuel dresse le bilan des résultats et des activités de l’initiative « Inspecteurs des impôts sans frontières » (IISF) pour l’année 2025. Il s’agit d’une initiative conjointe de l’Organisation de coopération et de développement économiques (OCDE) et du Programme des Nations Unies pour le développement (PNUD) visant à aider les pays","link":"https://www.oecd.org/fr/publications/inspecteurs-des-impots-sans-frontieres-rapport-annuel-2026_ab495d07-fr.html","title":"Inspecteurs des impôts sans frontières rapport annuel 2026","id":2991091},{"id":2991092,"description":"This annual report reflects on the 2025 results and activities of Tax Inspectors Without Borders (TIWB), a joint initiative of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) supporting developing countries in building tax audit and investigation capacity. It highlights","title":"Tax Inspectors Without Borders Annual Report 2026","link":"https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/tax-inspectors-without-borders-annual-report-2026_22fc5338-en.html"},{"id":2991093,"title":"Evaluating, Updating and Monitoring Anti‑Fraud Strategies: A Methodology","description":"As the scale and impact of fraud continues to grow and put pressure on public finances, countries need effective tools to prevent, detect and respond to fraud risks while sustaining public trust and the integrity of public spending. Although many countries have adopted anti-fraud strategies, monitoring and evaluation (M&E) systems often","link":"https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/evaluating-updating-and-monitoring-anti-fraud-strategies_4b442c1a-en.html"},{"id":2991094,"link":"https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/a-review-of-greek-emigrants_729f06a5-en.html","description":"In recent years, Greece has undergone major economic and social transformations. Given the significant emigration of the Greek population and the recognition of the contributions of the diaspora, Greek authorities are seeking to better understand this pool of talent residing abroad, which has great potential to contribute to the economic","title":"A Review of Greek Emigrants"},{"id":2991095,"description":"Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) underpin the economies of the Western Balkans and Türkiye, accounting for the majority of employment and value added. Their competitiveness and resilience are therefore central to sustainable growth and economic convergence with the European Union.Yet SMEs operate in an increasingly demanding","title":"SME Policy Index for Western Balkans and Türkiye 2026 – Economy Profile for Albania","link":"https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/sme-policy-index-for-western-balkans-and-turkiye-2026-economy-profile-for-albania_ab22c29c-en.html"},{"description":"Switzerland is committed to sustainably transforming its food system, guided by a holistic vision involving all value-chain actors and positioned for shaping a modern system that meets domestic and global challenges. The country embarks on the discussion of a new agricultural policy with solid foundations. This report examines","link":"https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/policies-for-the-future-of-farming-and-food-in-switzerland_55cf64da-en.html","title":"Policies for the Future of Farming and Food in Switzerland","id":2991088},{"id":2990799,"title":"COVID-19 report data “on the daily”","description":"COVID-19 report data “on the daily” lfair August 26, 2020 | 9:49AM COVID-19 report data “on the daily” By Karen Hobbs, Assistant Director, Division of Consumer & Business Education, FTC Every day, the FTC is collecting data, watching the numbers, and spotting the trends. We’re also spreading the word about COVID-19-related scams that target consumers and businesses. Because the more you know about what’s happening, the easier it will be to protect yourself and others from these scams. So far, we have gotten more than 175,000 COVID-19-related reports about fraud, identity theft, Do Not Call, and other consumer protection problems. You can find out about trends in your own community by clicking on your state, but recent national data shows that online shopping is the #1 fraud complaint and has caused $16 million in reported losses. These are scams that trick people into ordering products like masks, hand sanitizer, and other high-demand items that never arrive. People are also reporting scam text messages related to bogus offers to earn income, phony economic relief programs, fake charities, and government imposters. As part of a broader trend, the overall number of Do Not Call complaints are starting to pick up again after months of declining. As the scammers take to the phones again, you can expect to see an uptick in popular phone scams, like government imposter scams that exploit the pandemic or economic stimulus programs. To help you stay ahead of these scams, keep these tips in mind and pass them along to employees, family, friends, and your community: Before you order from an unfamiliar online store, check out the company or product online first. Then pay by credit card, so you can dispute the billing error , report it to your credit card company, and get your money back if something goes wrong. Don’t pay money or give out your personal information in response to calls, emails, or texts that say they’re from the government. The government will never call out of the blue to ask for money or your personal information (like Social Security, bank account, or credit card numbers). Keep up with the latest scams, and what the FTC is doing, by signing up to get Business Blog posts and Consumer Alerts . And please keep reporting what you’re seeing at ftc.gov/complaint .","link":"https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/blog/2020/08/covid-19-report-data-daily"},{"description":"Trip the light? Fantastic. lfair August 20, 2015 | 1:10PM Trip the light? Fantastic. By Lesley Fair It doesn’t take much to convince us we need something new for the shoe closet – and our vintage high-tops and periwinkle platforms stand as a silent testament to that. But an ultraviolet light contraption advertised to kill germs, fungus, and bacteria, including MRSA, inside shoes? An FTC settlement with the marketers of shUVee gives the boot to those misleading claims. A second settlement turns the lights out on representations by other advertisers that their Nano-UV disinfecting devices kill microorganisms on all kinds of surfaces. If you’ve spent much time on the tarmac, you may have seen these products advertised in the SkyMall in-flight magazine located in the seat pocket in front of you. (We’ve always wanted to say that.) Consumers also could buy them from major online retailers and catalogs. Angel Sales of Chicago claimed that shUVee “kills over 95% of germs, bacteria, even the fungus responsible for the highly contagious MRSA bacteria – in less than one hour.” For consumers itching to end Athlete’s Foot, the company said its product “kills germs and fungus” that cause it. The basic shUVee set buyers back about $100, while the “shUVee Deluxe with 2-piece Travel Unit” sold for $140. Huntington Beach-based Zadro Health Solutions sold the Nano-UV Disinfection Scanner, the Nano-UV Wand, the Nano-UV Water Disinfectant for between $60 and $160. Ads claimed that the products “have been proven to eliminate 99.9% of targeted germs and viruses on surfaces and in water in as little as 10 seconds.” What were those “targeted germs and viruses”? Potential killers like “Salmonella, E. Coli, Staphylococcus Aureus, and the H1N1 virus.” The Nano-UV Dual Scanner should have been a germaphobe’s dream, purportedly eliminating “99.99% of bacteria, mold, fungus and virus surface contaminants” with “a quick 10-second sweep” of its light. According to the company, those surfaces included potential yuck zones like public restrooms, litter boxes, hotel bedding, and – ironically enough – airplane seats. The complaints shine a light on where the FTC says the companies went wrong. Despite claims that the UV products would kill virtually all disease-causing pathogens, the FTC alleges that Angel Sales and Zadro Health Solutions didn’t have appropriate proof to back up their promises, including their impressive-sounding scientific statistics. The proposed orders require the companies to have competent and reliable scientific evidence to support all future claims about the health benefits, performance, or efficacy of any product or service. In addition, the orders specifically prohibit deceptive “scientifically proven” claims or misrepresentations about tests, studies, or research. Those requirements apply to the corporate defendants and to the individuals who ran the companies. The order against Angel Sales includes a $656,423 judgment, which will be suspended due to the defendants’ financial condition. Zadro Health will pay $222,029 in consumer refunds , with the remainder of the $629,359 judgment suspended. The settlements illuminate an important substantiation principle. Carefully consider the science in light of how consumers will use the product in a real-world setting. For example, UV light depends on exposure to have an effect. It can’t bend around objects, shine through opaque materials, or penetrate into porous items. Companies making UV disinfecting claims need to ensure what they say about their products matches up with the scientific evidence.","link":"https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/blog/2015/08/trip-light-fantastic","title":"Trip the light? Fantastic.","id":2990792},{"id":2990793,"description":"$108 million for homeowners in distress wfg-adm109 July 20, 2011 | 11:27AM $108 million for homeowners in distress By Lesley Fair Homeowners in financial trouble aren’t getting a lot of great news these days.  But 450,177 of them will be getting a check in the mail that represents their share of the FTC’s $108 million settlement with mortgage giant Countrywide. And companies that take advantage of Americans struggling to pay the bills will be getting a little something, too:  a strong message from the FTC that unfair or deceptive practices targeting cash-strapped consumers won’t be tolerated. Last year, the FTC announced a settlement with Countrywide Home Loans and BAC Home Loans Servicing, which formerly did business as Countrywide Home Loans Servicing. Court papers filed by the FTC tell an intriguing story of hidden fees, deceptive claims in bankruptcy servicing, and sweetheart deals with corporate subsidiaries. For example, when homeowners default, it’s understandable that lenders will have to spend some money to protect their interest in a property — things like inspections, lawn mowing, etc. But who did Countrywide hire to perform these duties? A national lawn care company? A local landscaper? Jimmy from down the block? No, Countrywide hired, well, itself — in the form of subsidiaries that contracted with other companies, allegedly jacked up the price of these routine services by 100% or more, and then passed on their exorbitant bills to people already struggling to keep their heads above water. Just an isolated instance? Not likely. According to the FTC’s lawsuit, the company’s strategy at the time was to profit from default-related services. In its complaint, the FTC quoted Countrywide Financial Corporation’s President and COO: “Now, we are frequently asked what the impact of our servicing costs and earnings will be from increased delinquencies and [loss] mitigation efforts, and what happens to costs. And what we point out is, as I will now, is that increased operating expenses in times like this tend to be fully offset by increases in ancillary income in our servicing operation, greater fee income from items like late charges, and importantly from in-sourced vendor functions that represent part of our diversification strategy, a counter-cyclical diversification strategy such as our businesses involved in foreclosure trustee and default title services and property inspection services.” As a result, said the FTC, even as the mortgage market collapsed and more homeowners fell into delinquency, Countrywide earned big bucks by funneling default-related services through subsidiaries set up solely to generate revenue. The company may have characterized it as a “counter-cyclical diversification strategy,” but the FTC called the company’s marked-up fees something else: deceptive and unfair practices in violation of Section 5 of the FTC Act. Also, in servicing loans for people trying to save their homes in Chapter 13 bankruptcy, the FTC’s complaint alleged that Countrywide made false or unsupported claims about how much they owed, added fees and escrow charges without notice, and engaged in other deceptive practices. In addition to $108 million for consumers, the FTC’s settlement prohibits Countrywide — which has been acquired by Bank of America — from taking advantage of borrowers who’ve fallen behind on their payments and bars it from a host of misleading practices. People who receive the checks — which vary from less than $500 to as much as several thousand bucks and will hit the mail later this month — should cash them by September 19, 2011.  Former Countrywide customers with questions should call the redress administrator, Gilardi & Company, at 1-888-230-3196 or visit the FTC’s Countrywide settlement webpage available in English and Spanish. (BTW, if you know a homeowner who might be affected by the settlement, remind them that the FTC never asks for money before sending","title":"$108 million for homeowners in distress","link":"https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/blog/2011/07/108-million-homeowners-distress"},{"description":"When touting auto systems checks, it’s wise to recall recalls lfair January 28, 2016 | 12:05PM When touting auto systems checks, it’s wise to recall recalls By Lesley Fair Make, model, and cup holders are considerations, of course, but what really matters to a prospective used car buyer is whether the vehicle’s systems check out. It just makes sense, since so many of those systems are tied to safety. But it’s not easy for consumers to tell if they’re buying a lemon or a creampuff. Many dealers try to assuage that concern by advertising that their used cars have passed multi-point checks. FTC complaints charge that General Motors and two of the largest used car dealers in the country touted their purportedly rigorous inspections and yet failed to disclose a fundamental fact: that the cars they sold to some consumers were subject to open – in other words, unrepaired – safety recalls.  In advertising its “Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles,” GM made promises like this: Our 172-Point Vehicle Inspection and Reconditioning Process is conducted only by highly trained technicians and adheres to strict, factory-set standards to ensure that every vehicle’s engine, chassis, and body are in excellent condition. The technicians ensure that everything from the drivetrain to the windshield wipers is in good working order, or they recondition it to our exacting standards. But according to the FTC’s complaint against GM , the company advertised many used vehicles at its local dealerships without clearly disclosing they were subject to unaddressed recalls that implicated safety, including a key ignition switch defect that can affect engine power, power steering problems, glitches that can impair airbag deployment, and defects that can cause engine stalls. Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4