United States of America: Issued ruling in public lawsuit against NTS regarding deceptive business practices

On 4 December 2020, the United States District Court for the Northern District of California (Court) issued a ruling in the public lawsuit against NTS IT Care (NTS) regarding deceptive business practices. The public lawsuit was filed by the American Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in response to multiple customer complaints relating to the deceptive practices of NTS. In particular, NTS operated a technical support scheme where pop-up alerts would inform internet users that their computer was infected by a virus. The consumers were then instructed to call a phone number where they were deceived to buy technical support services based on false computer diagnostics and false claims to be affiliated with Microsoft, Apple, or other well-known technology companies. The Court ruled that NTS engaged in deceptive business practices and ordered a ban on NTS for offering or selling technical support products or services, using unlawful telemarketing practices, misrepresenting any entity and collecting personal account information. Further, the Court issued a monetary judgment of USD 4.9 million.