An FTC survey of nine data brokers revealed that standard industry practice is to collect information about people — largely without their knowledge — from online and offline sources to create extensive profiles. The survey found that data brokers combine and analyze the data to make inferences about potentially sensitive issues, including ethnicity, income, religion, political leanings, age and health status. The FTC report recommends that Congress consider enacting legislation to increase transparency in the industry and to give people more control over the information collected about them and shared. 

i-Health, Inc. and Martek Biosciences Corporation have agreed to settle FTC charges that they misled people when they claimed that their product was clinically proven to improve adult memory and would prevent cognitive decline. Ads for BrainStrong referred to a “recent clinical study” that set it apart from other supplements and convinced thousands of people to pay about $30 for a 30-day supply. But according to the FTC, the study referenced in the ads found that people who took BrainStrong didn’t show meaningful improvement on memory tests compared to people who took a placebo. What’s more, the study wasn’t designed to test cognitive decline.

Consumer Portfolio Services Inc. (CPS), a national subprime auto lender, has agreed to pay more than $5.5 million to settle FTC allegations that it overcharged customers and used illegal debt collection tactics. According to the FTC, CPS collected money that people didn’t owe, harassed customers and third parties, falsely threatened repossession, and disclosed debts to friends, family and employers. CPS also failed to investigate and respond reasonably to disputes about information reported to credit bureaus. Under the order, the company will send refunds and adjust affected account balances before the end of the summer. 

The FTC charged DebtPro 123 with billing people as much as $10,000 for services that were supposed to include providing legal advice, settling debts and repairing credit in three years or less. The defendants claimed that consumers could reduce their debts by 30 to 70 percent, and promised they could “become debt free and enjoy financial independence” in as little as 18 months. But the defendants allegedly did little or nothing to settle the debts, and their scheme often left consumers worse off than they were before.

Ski equipment makers Marker Völkl and Tecnica Group have settled FTC charges that for years they illegally agreed not to compete for endorsers or employees. According to the FTC’s complaint, the best marketing tool for ski equipment is an endorsement from a well-known skier. Typically, companies compete for these endorsements, but an illegal agreement prevented these companies from bidding against each other. Tecnica Group sells Tecnica, Nordica, and Blizzard ski equipment. Marker Völkl is a subsidiary of Jarden Corporation, the leading seller of skis in the US.