Business Guide to the FTC's Mail or Telephone Order Merchandise Rule
http://www.business.ftc.gov/documents/bus02-business-guide-mail-and-telephone-order-merchandise-ruleWhat Does the Rule Cover?
It applies to most goods a customer orders from the seller by mail, telephone, fax, or on the
Internet.
It does not matter how the merchandise is advertised,
how the customer pays, or who initiates the contact.
"Merchants who violate the Rule can be
sued by the Federal Trade Commission for injunctive relief,
monetary civil penalties of up to $16,000 per violation (any time during the five years preceding the filing of the complaint), and
consumer redress (any time during the three years preceding the filing of the complaint). When the mails are involved, the Postal Service also has authority to take action for problems such as non-delivery.
State law enforcement agencies can
take action for violating state consumer protection laws."
"The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint or to get free information on consumer issues, visit ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The FTC enters consumer complaints into the Consumer Sentinel Network, a secure online database and investigative tool used by hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad."
