The FTC in 2010, Federal Trade Commission Annual Report
"We proudly present this year’s Annual Report, which describes the Federal Trade Commission’s activities and initiatives since last March. To be sure, this past year the continuing financial downturn has presented unprecedented challenges for many Americans – and for our agency. Yet thanks to the tremendous talent and commitment of our staff, the FTC has worked harder than
ever to protect consumers and promote competition.

The Commission has stepped up efforts to stop fraud that targets financially distressed consumers. In a series of nationwide sweeps, the FTC joined with a number of states and other federal agencies to collectively file hundreds of law enforcement actions against: mortgage modification and foreclosure “rescue” scams; phony debt reduction and credit repair operations; abusive debt collectors and payday lenders; and con artists who guarantee nonexistent jobs, get-rich-quick schemes, and bogus government grants.

This year, the FTC also brought a number of actions against national companies that should ensure greater benefits for consumers. Lawsuits against Ticketmaster, LifeLock, Kellogg, MoneyGram, and others challenged deceptive marketing or unfair practices. And cases against prerecorded “robocalls” hawking extended auto “warranties” and interest-rate reduction programs should help silence unwanted telemarketing calls, especially during the dinner hour.."