FAQs
The FTC's mission is protecting the public from deceptive or unfair business practices and from unfair methods of competition through law enforcement, advocacy, research, and education.
What is the focus of the FTC? ›
Its principal purpose is to enforce non-criminal antitrust laws in the United States, preventing and eliminating anticompetitive business practices, including coercive monopolies. The FTC also seeks to protect consumers from predatory or misleading business practices.
What does the FTC promote? ›
The FTC promotes competition, and challenges anticompetitive business practices and mergers, to make sure that consumers have access to quality goods and services, and businesses can compete on the merits. The FTC does not decide who wins and who loses in the marketplace – consumers do that.
What does an FTC report do? ›
Why: Your reports can help us detect patterns of wrongdoing, and lead to investigations and prosecutions. The FTC enters reports it receives into Consumer Sentinel, a secure online database that is used by civil and criminal law enforcement authorities worldwide.
How does the FTC investigate? ›
These include interviews, target letters, civil investigative demands (CIDs), and administrative subpoenas—among others. However, the FTC is not able to use all of these tools in all circ*mstances.
What are the 3 goals of the FTC? ›
The FTC's mission is protecting the public from deceptive or unfair business practices and from unfair methods of competition through law enforcement, advocacy, research, and education. Our work to protect consumers and promote competition touches the economic life of every American.
What powers does the FTC have? ›
The Federal Trade Commission enforces a variety of antitrust and consumer protection laws affecting virtually every area of commerce, with some exceptions concerning banks, insurance companies, non-profits, transportation and communications common carriers, air carriers, and some other entities.
How does the FTC protect you? ›
The FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection stops unfair, deceptive and fraudulent business practices by collecting reports from consumers and conducting investigations, suing companies and people that break the law, developing rules to maintain a fair marketplace, and educating consumers and businesses about their rights ...
What are examples of FTC violations? ›
These cases can involve fraud, scams, identity theft, false advertising, privacy violations, anti-competitive behavior and more. The Legal Library has detailed information about cases we have brought in federal court or through our internal administrative process, called an adjudicative proceeding.
What authority does the FTC have? ›
Under this Act, as amended, the Commission is empowered, among other things, to (a) prevent unfair methods of competition and unfair or deceptive acts or practices in or affecting commerce; (b) seek monetary redress and other relief for conduct injurious to consumers; (c) prescribe rules defining with specificity acts ...
Protecting the public from deceptive or unfair business practices and from unfair methods of competition through law enforcement, advocacy, research, and education.
Who controls the FTC? ›
The Commission is headed by five Commissioners, nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate, each serving a seven-year term.
Who does the FTC work for? ›
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is an independent agency of the United States government whose principal mission is the enforcement of civil (non-criminal) antitrust law and the promotion of consumer protection.
Does filing a complaint with FTC help? ›
The Federal Trade Commission works for consumers to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices and to provide information to help spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint in English or Spanish, visit the FTC's online Complaint Assistant or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357).
What actions can the FTC take? ›
The FTC enforces federal consumer protection laws that prevent fraud, deception and unfair business practices. The Commission also enforces federal antitrust laws that prohibit anticompetitive mergers and other business practices that could lead to higher prices, fewer choices, or less innovation.
Is FTC civil or criminal? ›
The FTC's civil enforcement actions shut down fraud and get restitution for consumers or disgorgement to the U.S. Treasury. Examples of FTC fraud cases include: telemarketing scams.
What is the role of the FTC quizlet? ›
The FTC protects consumers by stopping unfair, deceptive or fraudulent practices in the marketplace by conducting investigations, suing companies, and people that violate the law, developing rules to ensure a vibrant marketplace, and educating consumers and businesses about their rights and responsibilities.
What does the FTC regulate quizlet? ›
Federal Trade Commission. The federal agency that has the primary responsibility for protecting consumers and businesses from anticompetitive behavior and unfair and deceptive practices. The FTC regulates advertising and promotion at the federal level.
What is the purpose of the Federal Trade Commission FTC quizlet? ›
Congress created this through the Federal Trade Commission Act of 1914. It is an independent federal agency with 5 commissioners appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate. What is the purpose of the Federal Trade Commission Act of 1914? To prevent fraud, deception, and unfair business practices.
What is the FTC quizlet? ›
Federal Trade Commission. government agency promoting free and fair competition by prevention of trade restraints and other unfair methods of competition.
