Where does FTC money go?
If there is money left over at the conclusion of the refund program, or if there is not enough money to provide meaningful refund amounts, then the FTC may send the money to the U.S. Treasury, where it is deposited into the General Fund, as required by court order and the law.
Sending any remaining money to the U.S. Treasury
Whenever possible, the FTC uses the money it collects from defendants to provide refunds to injured consumers and pay the related administrative costs.
The FTC uses money collected from its lawsuits to pay for the direct costs of sending refunds, like the cost of printing and mailing checks. Except for these administrative costs, the FTC tries to return all the money collected for refunds to injured consumers.
About the FTC
Our work to protect consumers and promote competition touches the economic life of every American. We are the only federal agency that deals with consumer protection and competition issues in broad sectors of the economy.
About the FTC
We use our budget ($425.7 million in FY 2024) to protect consumers from unfair and deceptive conduct by businesses and to promote competition in the marketplace. The budget supports our strategic plan, which is the roadmap we follow to allocate and manage our resources.
Enforcement. The FTC enforces consumer protection laws to stop illegal business practices and get refunds to people who lost money. The chart below includes all active refund programs managed by the FTC. The FTC will never demand money, make threats, tell you to transfer money, or promise you a prize.
The FTC's Criminal Liaison Unit helps prosecutors bring more criminal consumer fraud cases. The FTC's civil enforcement actions shut down fraud and get restitution for consumers or disgorgement to the U.S. Treasury. Examples of FTC fraud cases include: telemarketing scams.
Your report is shared with more than 2,800 law enforcers. We can't resolve your individual report, but we use reports to investigate and bring cases against fraud, scams, and bad business practices.
The Federal Trade Commission enforces a variety of antitrust and consumer protection laws affecting virtually every area of commerce, with some exceptions concerning banks, insurance companies, non-profits, transportation and communications common carriers, air carriers, and some other entities.
How can I check the status of my request? If you submitted your request through the FTC's Public Access Link, or PAL, click here. Or you could email us at FOIA@ftc.gov .
Who runs the FTC?
Lina M. Khan is Chair of the Federal Trade Commission, which enforces the nation's antitrust and consumer protection laws. Khan got her start in antitrust as a business reporter and researcher examining consolidation across markets, from airlines to chicken farming.
The Commission is headed by five Commissioners, nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate, each serving a seven-year term.
Under the IG Act, as amended, the OIG is responsible for conducting audits and investigations relating to the programs and operations of the FTC.
The FTC deals with issues that touch the economic life of every American. The FTC is the only federal agency with both consumer protection and competition jurisdiction in broad sectors of the economy.
The FTC does not have any authority to pay financial rewards to whistleblowers; however, conduct that is regulated by the FTC may also give rise to a claim under a different whistleblower reward program.
Every year the FTC brings hundreds of cases against individuals and companies for violating consumer protection and competition laws that the agency enforces. These cases can involve fraud, scams, identity theft, false advertising, privacy violations, anti-competitive behavior and more.
If you get a tax refund, then you likely overpaid your taxes during the previous tax year. You may also receive a refund if you qualify for a refundable tax credit, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit, premium tax credit, or Child Tax Credit.
The FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection stops unfair, deceptive and fraudulent business practices by: collecting complaints and conducting investigations. suing companies and people that break the law. developing rules to maintain a fair marketplace.
Credit and Finance | Federal Trade Commission. The .gov means it's official.
They might even use the name of a person who really works at the FTC, including staff, contractors, and even Commissioners. But here's what to know: The FTC will never demand money or personal information from you. The FTC will never threaten to arrest, deport, or punish you.
What powers does the FTC have?
Under this Act, as amended, the Commission is empowered, among other things, to (a) prevent unfair methods of competition and unfair or deceptive acts or practices in or affecting commerce; (b) seek monetary redress and other relief for conduct injurious to consumers; (c) prescribe rules defining with specificity acts ...
The FTC enforces federal consumer protection laws that prevent fraud, deception and unfair business practices. The Commission also enforces federal antitrust laws that prohibit anticompetitive mergers and other business practices that could lead to higher prices, fewer choices, or less innovation.
There's no set time frame or time limit for FTC investigations.
If you have fallen victim to scams or fraud, we encourage you to file a report with federal and state agencies. Also, contact law enforcement offices in your local area to report the crime.
Administrative Proceedings Are Different from Going to Court
“It starts with an investigation that the Bureau of Competition and the Bureau of Economics in the FTC will conduct. How long does the investigation take before the complaint may be issued? That can be six months, a year, or maybe even longer.”
