Project Mousetrap was a law enforcement sweep that attacked misrepresentations by invention promotion firms. While individual cases announced during the sweep may have been settled or litigated later, the sweep itself was carried out in 1997. The FTC, which brought five of the cases, said the defendants in its actions generated in excess of $90 million for their own pockets by exploiting the ideas, hopes, and dreams of tens of thousands of consumers. For details, I encourage you to visit www.ftc.gov/opa/1997/07/mouse.shtm.

The FTC conducts sweeps when it determines that a particular type of scam is causing a high degree of consumer injury. Many factors influence whether the FTC will conduct a sweep. For example, the FTC monitors consumer complaints filed with its Consumer Response Center. The FTC also receives information from and confers with industry watchdog groups, state law enforcement agencies, and foreign governments.

“The FTC’s goal is to remain nimble and flexible so that it can respond to changing market conditions and the effect these changes have on consumers,” says Elizabeth Lordan of the FTC’s Public Affairs Office.