Don’t you hate companies that deceive people to make a little money? Companies that misrepresent themselves to trick the consumer into thinking they’re getting one thing, when they’re actually getting another? We hate ‘em.

So does the FTC. The agency recently agreed to a settlement that put the brakes on a US company who paraded itself as a UK company, using a website that ended in ‘co.uk.’ 

The commission says the company made customers believe it was in the UK to get sales, and then the customers were charged unexpected import duty fees and were threatened with refunding fees if people wanted to return the product. 

Truth in Advertising is a Law, not a Choice 

Internet marketer Jaivin Karnani who owns Balls of Kryptonite and several associated businesses sold electronic goods to thousands of UK residents, who thought they were protectedunder the manufacturer’s warranties that were invalid. 

Some of the sites they own are bitesizedeals.co.uk, bestpricebrands.co.uk and crazy cameras.co.uk but none of them are operated in the United Kingdom. 

The defendants advertised fast shipping dates but didn’t come through by not sending the product, or by not sending the products when they said they would. Those few who did manage to get refunds met with stiff opposition and waited long times to receive the refunds. 

The FTC also banned the company from selling items it doesn’t have in hand at the time the order is placed. It’s a good thing we have the FTC and the UK’s OTC to keep an eye on cyber criminals who want to rip people off to make a buck.