By now, most bloggers have read about the new FTC rules that apply to reviewing products. In case you aren’t a blogger or haven’t been following the story, here’s the basic idea:
If you’re given a free items (or service) to review, or if you are paid by a company to write a review, you have to disclose this to readers.
Bloggers are dealing with this in a number of ways. Some are ignoring the new rule outright, saying that it is unfair or that the FTC has no way of policing all the blogs on the web. Some are adding a …read more

If bloggers are a part of your marketing plan, you need to know about the recently released FTC guidelines for endorsements and testimonial ads. You could be liable for false claims and get hit with unspecified fines if you are found violating the guidelines.
So what do you need to know? If you offer free products to bloggers in return for reviews, or if you pay for reviews, you should review the revised guidelines (PDF). Any positive reviews could be influenced by a free product or payment — and the FTC wants that disclosed to the consumer.
While it has been noted …read more

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is planning to release guidelines for compensated reviews. Since it’s been talked about for most of the summer, you probably already know that. Do you ask bloggers to write about your company, products or services? Do you offer them freebies, coupons, gift certificates or compensation in any way? If you do, then you need to pay close attention when the regs do come out.

Because if the blogger doesn’t properly disclose their compensation, the FTC could come after them — and you. And that creates an interesting quandary. How do you try to get an honest …read more

Thoratec, a company with an expertise in therapies aimed at advanced heart failure, has reportedly decided against its plan to purchase HeartWare International for $282 million. The decision was made after the United States Federal Trade Commission said that they would challenge the sale.
HeartWare International is based in Australia and is known for developing and manufacturing implantable heart pumps for patients with advanced heart failure. Back in February, when the initial plan was announced, Thoratec was excited about the possibilities of purchasing HeartWare International  — both for the company and potential patients around the world.
Said Gary F. Burbach, the CEO …read more

FTC and a free credit report.

FTC spoofs freecreditreport.com.

Have you gotten a robo call about your car warranty expiring? If so, there’s some good news for you. The Federal Trade Commission cracked down on these illegal robo calls and have begun prosecution of the companies involved in the scam.
Two companies that were allegedly involved were Transcontinental Warranty Inc. and Voice Touch Inc. According to the FTC, Transcontinental Warranty was the promoter, while Voice Touch was the actual telemarketer.
In total, it is estimated that more than 800 million of these illegal robo calls were made. The calls would warn that an auto warranty was running out and would give …read more

The Federal Trade Commission announced today that both DirecTV and Comcast are being fined today for making phone calls to people who has asked them not to call back. This violates the do-not-call law, called the Telemarketing Sales Rule.
DirecTV has faces such fines in the past. In 2005, DirecTV paid a $5.3 million settlement for violating FTC’s rules regarding the Do Not Call registry. This time, both DirecTV and Comcast are facing fines for calling people who specifically requested to be put on the companies’ internal do not call lists. DirecTV has agreed to pay a $2.3 million settlement, while …read more

It’s possible to find a job that pays you for doing something you love.  Like shopping.  Imagine getting paid to shop!  That’s what a Mystery Shopper does.
Mystery shopping works like this: Businesses need to find out how well they are doing in customer service. So they pay people to shop at their stores anonymously and report on the experience; these people are called “mystery shoppers” or sometimes “auditors.” Mystery shoppers are needed for all kinds of retail stores, services, restaurants, and even government agencies.
Mystery shopping sites. There are many mystery shopping sites where you can sign up for mystery …read more