News
At the Law Office of Paul K. Joseph, we believe that effective consumer protection not only requires aggressive prosecution of marketplace fraud, but also requires consumer education. The news and resources provided below are intended to help consumers recognize and avoid common fraudulent practices before they become victims.
Green coffee bean weight-loss supplement marketers pay $9 million to settle false advertising charges
Another weight-loss supplement manufacturer has agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that they deceptively touted the supposed weight-loss benefits of green coffee bean extract through a campaign that included appearances on The Dr. Oz Show, The View, and other television programs.
Under the FTC settlement, the defendants are barred from making deceptive claims about the health benefits or efficacy of any dietary supplement or drug product and will pay $9 million for consumer redress.
“Lindsey Duncan and his companies made millions by falsely claiming that green coffee bean supplements cause significant and rapid weight loss,” said Jessica Rich, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “This case shows that the Federal Trade Commission will continue to fight deceptive marketers’ attempts to prey on consumers trying to improve their health.”
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L’Oréal settles FTC charges alleging it deceptive advertised its anti-aging cosmetics
Cosmetics company L’Oréal USA, Inc. has agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that it deceptively advertised its Lancôme Génifique and L’Oréal Paris Youth Code skincare products. According to the FTC’s complaint, L’Oréal made false and unsubstantiated claims that its Génifique and Youth Code products provided anti-aging benefits by targeting users’ genes.
“It would be nice if cosmetics could alter our genes and turn back time,” said Jessica Rich, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, “but L’Oréal couldn’t support these claims.
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Homeopathic weight-loss marketers agree to pay penalties to settle charges it falsely advertised its HCG products
The Federal Trade Commission scored another success in the crackdown on fraudulent weight-loss products. Marketers who touted homeopathic HCG drops as a quick and easy way to lose substantial weight have agreed to pay $1 million to settle FTC charges that their weight-loss claims were deceptive. In addition, the defendants have stopped selling the fraudulent products and are banned from making similarly misleading claims in the future.
Such cases are important for consumer protection because, as explained by Jessica Rich, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, “fad weight-loss products like HCG drops come and go, but consumers shouldn’t be fooled by their empty promises.”
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