Functions of Federal Trade Commission
1. Investigation: The Federal Trade Commission may examine a single firm or an entire sector. If an FTC investigation exposes illegal activity on the part of one or more corporations in an industry, the agency can seek voluntary compliance through a consent order, commence federal litigation, or file an administrative complaint. Traditionally, such a complaint would be handled by an administrative law judge (ALJ) before being appealed to the United States Court of Appeals and, ultimately, the Supreme Court.
2. Handles Complaints: The FTC also handles complaints against unfair commercial practices, such as fraud and deceptive advertising. Its Bureau of Consumer Protection investigates suspected abuses, takes enforcement action, and offers instructional materials to customers. The National Do Not Call Registry in the United States is overseen by the Bureau of Consumer Protection.
3. Monitors Sales Rule: The FTC also oversees and enforces the Telemarketing Sales Rule, Pay-Per-Call Rule, and Equal Credit Opportunity Act. The Commission is responsible for enforcing or administering over 70 different laws.
4. Research and Examination: The Bureau of Economics supports the FTC’s other two divisions with research, including an examination of the probable impacts of FTC actions.
5. Usual Operation: The FTC’s normal operations include investigating consumer, corporate fraud, and media fraud or deceptive advertising, as well as conducting congressional inquiries and submitting pre-merger notifications.