UNITED STATES OF AMERICA interesting latest news

FTC letters target more unproven MLM health and earnings claims by Seena Gressin Attorney, Division of Consumer & Business Education, FTC Worried about getting sick with COVID-19 or making ends meet because of a pandemic-related job loss? You may see social media posts offering an answer. Some posts advertise products that they say can prevent or treat COVID-19. Others offer the chance to join a multi-level marketing company (MLM) and make lots of money selling the products to people you know. But, before declaring your worries are over, read on to learn about the problems with these pitches. Read more >

More FTC warnings about scam Coronavirus treatments

by Colleen Tressler
Consumer Education Specialist, FTC
The FTC continues to seek out and warn sellers who peddle so-called Coronavirus treatments with no proof they work. If you see an ad that says a product can prevent, treat, or cure COVID-19, stop. Think to yourself: if there’s actually been a medical breakthrough, am I really going to hear about it for the first time from an ad or sales pitch? The answer is clearly “no.” So train yourself to ignore those types of false ads.
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Donating in difficult times

by Jennifer Leach
Associate Director, Division of Consumer and Business Education, FTC
These days, there are just so many reasons why people want to do to something to help, to make a difference, to take action. In addition to volunteering or putting their feet to the pavement, lots of people are putting their hands in their wallets to try to make an impact. Once again, though, scammers will be there. As ever, they follow the headlines and pop up wherever there’s money to be made. So, before you make a donation to support any cause, here are a few things to think about and do.
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FTC again warns multi-level marketers about unproven health and earnings claims By Seena Gressin Dear Multi-Level Marketer. Stop it. Stop all promotions that push your products by claiming they prevent or treat COVID-19. Stop all misleading or unsubstantiated promotions that push your business opportunity by claiming people can earn substantial income peddling your products. The claims are unproven and deceptive. Whether you or your distributors are making them, you’re responsible. That means you could be breaking the law. Read more >

Washington, D.C. Headquarters June 5, 2020 EEOC UNVEILS NEW WEBPAGE ON COMMISSIONER CHARGES AND DIRECTED INVESTIGATIONS Agency Explains Important Processes to Fight Discrimination WASHINGTON – The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) today posted a new document on its website explaining the role and procedures of two key EEOC processes to combat employment discrimination -- Commissioner charges and directed investigations. Federal law authorizes any Commissioner to file a discrimination charge alleging that an employer violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), or the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA), after which the charge is investigated by the appropriate EEOC field office. In addition, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) and the Equal Pay Act (EPA) authorize EEOC field offices to initiate investigations of possible violations of those two statutes even without a charge from an aggrieved individual.  These processes are in addition to the more common pro­cedure of EEOC field offices receiving discrimination charges from individual employees or job appli­cants and then evaluat­ing and investi­gating those charges. The purpose of the new webpage is to explain exactly how Commissioner charges and directed investigations work – for the benefit of employers and potential job dis­crimination victims alike. “The EEOC is strongly committed to making our processes fully transparent and useful to the public,” said EEOC Chair Janet Dhillon. “Commissioner charges and directed investigations are important tools in the Commission’s arsenal to fight employment discrimination, and it is vital that the public knows how we use them.” The EEOC advances opportunity in the workplace by enforcing federal laws prohibiting employ­ment discrimination. More information is available at www.eeoc.gov. Stay connected with the latest EEOC news by subscribing to our email updates.

Did you know that June is National Safety Month? As many states move to reopen businesses affected during COVID-19, it's important to follow safety guidelines to keep your employees and customers safe. Take the time to review safety resources from the CDC when reopening your business.  Learn more The SBA is hiring temporary employees to assist with disaster relief efforts during these unprecedented times. The positions include: Call Center Customer Service Representative Document Preparation/Legal Review/Loan Closings Loan Processing/Credit Analysis/Mortgage Underwriting Program Support Apply today GSA Presents: Advancing Small Businesses During Unprecedented Times (Webinars) Join GSA Administrator, Emily Murphy, to explore strategies to enable support of the federal opportunities within the COVID-19 pandemic environment during GSA's webinars hosted on June 8 and 10. Participants will learn about the most current federal requirements, how the federal business landscape has responded and how small businesses can engage. GSA will also address your questions around federal contracting. Register | June 8 Register | June 10 Beware of Scams and Fraud Schemes The Office of Inspector General recognizes that we are facing unprecedented times and is alerting the public about potential fraud schemes related to economic stimulus programs offered by the U.S. Small Business Administration in response to the Novel Coronavirus Pandemic (COVID-19). The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, the largest financial assistance bill to date, includes provisions to help small businesses. Fraudsters have already begun targeting small business owners during these economically difficult times.  Be on the lookout for grant fraud, loan fraud, and phishing. Learn more Federal Coronavirus Resources State, local, and federal agencies are working together to maintain the safety, security, and health of the American people. Check out coronavirus.gov for updates from the White House's Coronavirus (COVID-19) Task Force. Go to cdc.gov for detailed information about COVID-19 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.   Learn more about the federal government's response Virtual Mentoring and Training  Offices around the country may be closed to the Coronavirus pandemic, but SCORE, Small Business Development Centers, Women’s Business Centers, and Veterans Business Outreach Centers and other resource partners are providing free business mentoring and training by phone, email, and video. Find an SBA resource partner near you SBA District and Regional Office Webinars on Disaster Assistance   SBA district and regional offices are offering webinars about Economic Injury Disaster Loans. These webinars explain SBA's Economic Injury Disaster Loan program and how you can apply for disaster assistance.  Sign up for SBA newsletters using your zip code to get updates

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