FTC Approves Increasing Civil Penalty Amounts

The FTC recently approved increases to the maximum civil penalty amounts available for violations of statutes subject to FTC enforcement. The Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 2015 authorizes increases affecting sixteen statutes under FTC enforcement authority.

The amended maximums take effect August 1, 2016.

New maximum civil penalties for the following violations will apply:

• Section 5(m)(1)(A) of the FTC Act, codified at 15 U.S.C. § 5(m)(1)(A), prohibiting unfair or deceptive trade practices: Increased to $40,000
• Section 5(m)(1)(B) of the FTC Act, codified at 15 U.S.C. § 5(m)(1)(B), prohibiting unfair or deceptive trade practices: Increased to $40,000