News from February 2017
FTC to mail refunds to 1,300 consumers affected by alleged Mercola tanning deception
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) —The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced Feb. 7 that it will mail refund checks to more than 1,300 consumers who had purchased Mercola indoor tanning systems. The checks amount to a total of roughly $2.59 million.
Subway's win in class action over free sub offer appealed to Ninth Circuit
SEATTLE (Legal Newsline) – Plaintiffs suing Subway over a text message have appealed a federal judge's decision to send their claims to arbitration.
California consumer accuses tax business of phone harassment
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) — A California man filed a class action lawsuit against a tax business, alleging violation of telephone harassment statutes.
Cynosure settles unwanted fax class action for $16 million
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) – Cynosure Inc. has agreed to pay $16 million to settle
allegations that it violated the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) by
faxing unwanted advertisements to ARcare Inc.
Class action targets Buffalo Trace's bourbon
ST. LOUIS (Legal Newsline) — Four consumers have filed a class action lawsuit against distillery companies, alleging fraud, negligent misrepresentation and unfair competition.
N.J. law firm alleges Philadelphia personal injury firm obtained illegal fee division agreement in motor vehicle case
Attorney Joel Wayne Garber and his firm, Garber Law, filed the lawsuit in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Gloucester County, Law Division, Jan. 13. The named defendants include Heslin Law Firm, attorney Gary P. Heslin and Mark Patrick, a paralegal at the firm, according to the complaint.
EEOC targets Dollar General Stores for alleged sexual harassment
OXFORD, Miss. (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced a lawsuit Feb. 9 against Dolgencorp LLC, doing business as Dollar General Stores Inc., for allegations of subjecting female employees to sexual harassment.
Consumer accuses American Express of phone privacy violations
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — A Tennessee woman is suing American Express, alleging violation of telephone harassment statutes.
Consumers say Wisconsin debt collector misrepresented money owed
GREEN BAY, Wis. (Legal Newsline) — Wisconsin consumers from Marinette, Stockbridge and Clintonville have filed a class action lawsuit against a debt collector, citing alleged misrepresentation in debt collection.
District judge blocks merger of Anthem, Cigna
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — A Washington, D.C., judge sided with the U.S. Department of Justice in a lawsuit attempting to block Anthem Inc. from acquiring Cigna Corp.
Class action filed by Xbox Live Gold user
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) — A consumer has filed a class action lawsuit against Microsoft Corp., citing alleged fraud and violation of state and federal law.
Stratford Career Institute settles FTC charges it misled consumers, to pay $250,000
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) —The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced Feb. 3 that Stratford Career Institute has agreed to stop making claims about education programs that the FTC had alleged were deceptive.
MasterCard, UniRush to pay $13 million in penalties for alleged system breakdowns
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has taken action against MasterCard and UniRush following allegations of system breakdowns that caused harm to tens of thousands of economically vulnerable RushCard users.
Government, labor groups accuse retailer of false statements
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) — Government and labor groups are suing a California retailer, alleging violation of federal law.
FTC chairman appoints Thomas Pahl as acting director of the Bureau of Consumer Protection
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Acting Chairman Maureen K. Ohlhausen has appointed Thomas Pahl as acting director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection.
VIZIO settles New Jersey case related to consumer protection allegations, to pay $2.5 million
NEWARK, N.J. (Legal Newsline) — New Jersey Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino and the Division of Consumer Affairs announced Feb. 6 that Smart TV manufacturer VIZIO Inc. (VIZIO) and its subsidiary VIZIO Inscape Services LLC (Inscape) will pay $2.5 million after allegations of illegally tracking consumers’ television viewing habits.
New York attorney general issues alert to help consumers pick internet plans
BUFFALO, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman has issued a consumer alert to help New Yorkers pick the best internet service plan options.
Consumer says Stein Mart misrepresents products as discounted
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) — A consumer has filed a class action lawsuit against a clothing and home goods retailer, citing alleged fraud, negligent misrepresentation and violation of California law.
Bausch + Lomb's parent company settles charges that it illegally acquired contact lens maker
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on Feb. 8 approved a final order settling charges that Bausch + Lomb's parent company illegally acquired another business.
FTC accuses Shire ViroPharma of antitrust law violations
WILMINGTON, Del. (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced Feb. 7 the filing of a complaint against Shire ViroPharma Inc. in federal district court.