WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced Aug. 10 that it has obtained a default judgment and permanent injunction that effectively halt Daniel L. Croft, doing business as PG Guru Tech Support and Elite Tech Support, from conducting business.
The FTC charged Croft and his companies with violating the FTC Act and CAN-SPAM Act by peddling unnecessary tech support services under the guise of an affiliation with the FTC. Croft purportedly used fake FTC news releases and the names of actual FTC staff to coerce consumers into buying unnecessary tech support services. The FTC says Croft also used scare tactics to frighten consumers, alleging his computers were sending out information to hackers.
Croft has been barred from making material misrepresentations, including faking affiliations with the FTC or other government agencies. Additionally, Croft can no longer send commercial emails unless it includes his business’ physical address. Croft will also pay a $52,000 penalty.