FTC Takes Action to Combat Bogus Money-Making Claims Used to Lure People into Dead-end Debt Traps
Jay Mayfield
February 17, 2022
Agency launches rulemaking to challenge false earnings claims by multilevel marketers, for-profit colleges, and “gig economy” platforms
The Federal Trade Commission launched a proceeding to challenge bogus money-making claims used to lure consumers, workers, and prospective entrepreneurs into risky business ventures that often turn into dead-end debt traps. If finalized, a rule in this area would allow the Commission to recover redress for defrauded consumers, and seek steep penalties against the multilevel marketers, for-profit colleges, “gig economy” platforms, and other bad actors who prey on people’s hopes for economic advancement.
“Consumers, workers, and prospective entrepreneurs are being bombarded with so-called money-making opportunities that promise the world but leave them deeply in debt,” said Samuel Levine, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “The FTC will use every tool in its toolbox to deter this economic exploitation and compensate people who got conned.”
