To
prevent and eliminate monopolistic practices and unfair methods
of competition; to investigate and proscribe acts and practices
which are unfair or deceptive to the consuming public.
TYPES
OF ASSISTANCE:
Advisory Services and Counseling. Place Cursor Here for Definition
Investigation of Complaints. Place Cursor Here for Definition
USES
AND USE RESTRICTIONS:
Restrictive
monopolistic practices, including price-fixing conspiracies, boycotts,
price discriminations, and illegal mergers and acquisitions, are
investigated and corrected. Major emphasis is also placed on correcting
unfair or deceptive acts and practices in the market place that
are injurious to the consumer as well as to competition. Particular
attention is directed to false and misleading advertising, consumer
credit transactions and credit reporting, packaging and labeling
of goods, debt collection practices, food and drug advertising,
representations made in the sale of goods and services, wool, fur
and textile products labeling and disclosure of the terms and conditions
of warranties and service contract obligations.
ELIGIBILITY
REQUIREMENTS:
Applicant
Eligibility: Assistance is available to General
public.
Beneficiary
Eligibility: General public.
Credentials/Documentation:
Complaints must contain facsimiles of questioned advertising,
labeling or other practice, or a summary of any oral misrepresentation
involved, together with name and address of the alleged offender.
Investigations initiated (formal): Fiscal year 2001, 706; fiscal
year 2002 estimate, 727; and fiscal year 2003 estimate, 749. Investigations
completed or closed: Fiscal year 2001, 761; fiscal year 2002 estimate,
784; and fiscal year 2003 estimate, 808. Orders to cease and desist
issued: Fiscal year 2001, 72; fiscal year 2002 estimate, 74; and
fiscal year 2003 estimate, 76. Trade regulation rules and guides
promulgated or amended: Fiscal year 2001, none; fiscal year 2002
estimate, one; and fiscal year 2003 estimate, one.
REGULATIONS,
GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:
A list of publications is available by writing the Federal Trade
Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20580. Publications
are available in local Depository Libraries.
INFORMATION
CONTACTS:
Regional
or Local Office: Persons are encouraged to communicate
with the local FTC Regional Director: 10877 Wilshire Blvd., Suite
700, Los Angeles, CA 90024. Telephone: (310) 824-4343; Use the same
number for FTS; 901 Market St., Suite 570, San Francisco, CA 94103.
Telephone: (415) 356-5270; Use the same number for FTS; Suite 5M35,
Midrise Bldg., 60 Forsyth St., SW, Atlanta, GA 30303. Telephone:
(404) 656-1390; Use the same number for FTS; 55 E. Monroe St., Suite
1860, Chicago, IL 60603-5701. Telephone: (312) 960-5634; Use the
same number for FTS; 150 William St., Suite 1300, New York, NY 10038.
Telephone: (212) 264-8290; Use the same number for FTS; Eaton Center,
Suite 200, 1111 Superior Ave., Cleveland, OH 44114-2507. Telephone:
(216) 263-3455; Use the same number for FTS; 1999 Bryan St., Suite
2150, Dallas, TX 75201-6808. Telephone: (214) 979-9350; 2806 Federal
Bldg., 915 Second Ave., Suite 2896, Seattle, WA 98174. Telephone:
(206) 220-6350; Use the same number for FTS.
Headquarters
Office: Consumer Protection Matters: Director,
Bureau of Consumer Protection. Telephone: (202) 326-3430. Restraint
of Trade Matters: Director, Bureau of Competition. Telephone:
(202) 326- 2932. Both are in the Federal Trade Commission Building,
600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20580.
