what does the ftc do

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is a bipartisan federal agency that champions the interests of American consumers. The FTCs mission is to protect the public from deceptive or unfair business practices and from unfair methods of competition through law enforcement, advocacy, research, and education. The FTC enforces federal consumer protection laws that prevent fraud, deception, and unfair business practices, as well as federal antitrust laws that prohibit anticompetitive mergers and other business practices that could lead to higher prices, fewer choices, or less innovation. The FTC administers a wide variety of laws and regulations, including the Federal Trade Commission Act, Telemarketing Sale Rule, Identity Theft Act, Fair Credit Reporting Act, and Clayton Act. The FTC has the authority to investigate and prevent unfair methods of competition, and unfair or deceptive acts or practices affecting commerce. The FTC can seek relief for consumers, including injunctions and restitution, and in some instances, seek civil penalties from wrongdoers. The FTC also has the ability to implement trade regulation rules defining with specificity acts or practices that are unfair or deceptive and can publish reports and make legislative recommendations to Congress about issues affecting the economy. The FTCs work is performed by the Bureaus of Consumer Protection, Competition, and Economics, aided by the Office of General Counsel and eight regional offices.