FTC Bans Work-At-Home Scammers: Applies Business Opportunity Rule

The Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) recently announced a settlement with a total of 20 corporate and individual defendants who were involved in a work-at-home scheme that falsely promised to help consumers start their online businesses. The FTC lawsuit claimed that the defendants promised individuals that they would create and host websites, and provide them with advertising packages and marketing expertise that would lead to substantial profits. The victims were told that they would make money every time shoppers clicked through these websites to purchase things from Fortune 500 companies. As part of the agency’s crackdown on scams that target consumers in financial distress, the settlement resolves the charges against: North America Marketing and Associates, LLC, NAMAA, LLC, TM Multimedia Marketing, LLC (Nevada), TM Multimedia Marketing, LLC, National Opportunities, LLC, National Opportunities, LLC, World Wide Marketing and Associates, LLC, Wide World of Marketing, LLC, Precious Metals Resource, LLC, Guaranteed Communications, LLC, Superior Multimedia Group, LLC, Joseph Wayne Lowry, Kimberly Joy Birdsong, Sarah Lynne Stapel, Alyisse Maloi Tramel, Daniel Vigil, and Tracy Jerome Morris, and relief defendant Sheila Ann Lowry, who allegedly profited from the illegal practices. Included in the announcement was an amended complaint naming former relief defendants Carl Edward Morris Jr. and Marketing Strategies, LLC as liability defendants.