The FTC protects consumers by stopping unfair, deceptive or fraudulent practices in the marketplace. We conduct investigations, sue outfits and individuals that break the law, and inform people and businesses about their rights and responsibilities. In 2015, the FTC filed more than 100 law enforcement actions, obtained more than 175 orders against defendants, and refunded more than $22 million to consumers.
The FTC is a civil law enforcement agency. That means that while we can’t put people in jail, many of our partners can — and do — including the U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Attorneys, and other federal and state criminal law enforcers. When FTC cases include behavior that also violates criminal laws, we let criminal prosecutors know.
That’s where the FTC’s Criminal Liaison Unit (CLU) comes in. It helps increase the criminal prosecution of consumer fraud. Since it was formed more than ten years ago, the FTC’s CLU has contributed to the successful prosecution of hundreds of fraudulent telemarketers, phantom debt and mortgage relief scammers, immigration fraudsters and others who prey on American consumers.
Here’s a quick by-the-numbers look at 2015:
- FTC staff worked on 75 requests for cooperation from criminal law enforcement partners.
- Thirty-four defendants received jail sentences totaling 175 years.
- The average sentence was 5.15 years.
- One defendant got a 25-year sentence.
We have more information about the CLU and the people whose efforts in criminal law enforcement have made a significant contribution to the protection of American consumers.
