Tech Support Company Settles False Advertising Litigation With FTC

On Monday, the Federal Trade Commission ("FTC") announced its settlement with Vast Tech Support, LLC, OMG Tech Help, LLC and their chief operating officer Mark Donohue (collectively, the "Defendants") concerning claims that the Defendants used software designed to trick consumers into believing that their computers were infected with viruses. The parties recently agreed on the terms of a false advertising settlement and are now seeking court approval.

How did Defendants Falsely Advertise their Product?

False Advertising Claims against Defendants

According to the complaint filed by the FTC, the Defendants used software designed to mislead consumers into believing that their respective computers had been infected with a virus. The software directed users to contact telemarketers who, according to the FTC, "subjected those consumers to high-pressure deceptive sales pitches for tech support products and services." The FTC, along with the State of Florida, charged the