The Federal Trade Commission announce a settlement of charges against that a company called Tested GreenFTC was charging up to $549.95 for "worthless environmental certifications."
According to the FTC, between February 2009 and April 2010, Tested Green and Claeys advertised, marketed, and sold environmental certifications using both the website www.testedgreen.com and mass e-mails to prospective consumers. The company's marketing claimed that Tested Green was the "nation's leading certification program with over 45,000 certifications in the United States."
The FTC complaint alleges, however, that Tested Green never tested any of the companies it provided with environmental certifications, and would "certify" anyone willing pay a fee of either $189.95 for a "Rapid" certification or $549.95 for a "Pro" certification. After customers paid, Tested Green gave them its logo and the link to a "certification verification page" that could be used to advertise their "certified" status. The agency charged that the respondents violated the FTC Act by providing the means to deceive consumers.
The FTC also alleges that Tested Green deceived consumers by citing its endorsements from the National Green Business Association and the National Association of Government Contractors – implying that these were independent organizations when, in fact, both are owned and operated by Claeys.
The name of the company is what makes this story really shine!
Thanks to Robb Harvey for suggesting this entry.
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