{"id":2377,"date":"2020-09-11T15:11:09","date_gmt":"2020-09-11T15:11:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/peterhoppenfeld.flywheelsites.com\/?p=2377"},"modified":"2020-09-11T16:11:25","modified_gmt":"2020-09-11T16:11:25","slug":"ftc-action-against-synovia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/peterhoppenfeld.com\/ftc-action-against-synovia\/","title":{"rendered":"FTC Action Against Synovia"},"content":{"rendered":"<h4>\u00a0Steps Taken to Stop Synovia from Making False Arthritis Treatment Claims<\/h4>\n<hr \/>\n<div>\n<div><span class=\" author-d-1gg9uz65z1iz85zgdz68zmqkz84zo2qowz81zz66zkz122zf0z85z6iy8z90zcz84zu8z68znl6z88zz86zz76zz78zertr2z74zz87z\">The marketing team of Synovia, a dietary supplement that could<\/span> <span class=\" author-d-1gg9uz65z1iz85zgdz68zmqkz84zo2qowz81zz66zkz122zf0z85z6iy8z90zcz84zu8z68znl6z88zz86zz76zz78zertr2z74zz87z h-quot\">&#8220;supposedly&#8221;<\/span><span class=\" author-d-1gg9uz65z1iz85zgdz68zmqkz84zo2qowz81zz66zkz122zf0z85z6iy8z90zcz84zu8z68znl6z88zz86zz76zz78zertr2z74zz87z\"> treat arthritis and alleviate joint pain, has agreed to settle FTC charges, and halt the deceptive marketing tactics they allegedly used to trick consumers.<\/span><\/div>\n<div><span class=\" author-d-1gg9uz65z1iz85zgdz68zmqkz84zo2qowz81zz66zkz122zf0z85z6iy8z90zcz84zu8z68znl6z88zz86zz76zz78zertr2z74zz87z\">\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<div><span class=\" author-d-1gg9uz65z1iz85zgdz68zmqkz84zo2qowz81zz66zkz122zf0z85z6iy8z90zcz84zu8z68znl6z88zz86zz76zz78zertr2z74zz87z\">Highlights from <\/span><span class=\"attrlink url author-d-1gg9uz65z1iz85zgdz68zmqkz84zo2qowz81zz66zkz122zf0z85z6iy8z90zcz84zu8z68znl6z88zz86zz76zz78zertr2z74zz87z\"><a class=\"attrlink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ftc.gov\/news-events\/press-releases\/2019\/12\/ftc-stops-marketers-making-false-arthritis-treatment-claims\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer nofollow noopener\" data-target-href=\"https:\/\/www.ftc.gov\/news-events\/press-releases\/2019\/12\/ftc-stops-marketers-making-false-arthritis-treatment-claims\"><u>the article<\/u><\/a><\/span><span class=\" author-d-1gg9uz65z1iz85zgdz68zmqkz84zo2qowz81zz66zkz122zf0z85z6iy8z90zcz84zu8z68znl6z88zz86zz76zz78zertr2z74zz87z\">:<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<ul class=\"listtype-quote listindent1 list-quote1\">\n<li><span class=\" author-d-1gg9uz65z1iz85zgdz68zmqkz84zo2qowz81zz66zkz122zf0z85z6iy8z90zcz84zu8z68znl6z88zz86zz76zz78zertr2z74zz87z\">&#8220;The FTC\u2019s proposed settlement with Colorado-based A.S. Research, LLC<\/span> <span class=\" author-d-1gg9uz65z1iz85zgdz68zmqkz84zo2qowz81zz66zkz122zf0z85z6iy8z90zcz84zu8z68znl6z88zz86zz76zz78zertr2z74zz87z h-lparen\">(ASR)<\/span><span class=\" author-d-1gg9uz65z1iz85zgdz68zmqkz84zo2qowz81zz66zkz122zf0z85z6iy8z90zcz84zu8z68znl6z88zz86zz76zz78zertr2z74zz87z\"> and its two owners, Stephen J. Young and Michael K. Ledeboer, bars them from continuing to make the alleged misleading and unsupported claims about Synovia, including that the supplement would pave the<\/span> <span class=\" author-d-1gg9uz65z1iz85zgdz68zmqkz84zo2qowz81zz66zkz122zf0z85z6iy8z90zcz84zu8z68znl6z88zz86zz76zz78zertr2z74zz87z h-ldquo\">\u201cpot<\/span><span class=\" author-d-1gg9uz65z1iz85zgdz68zmqkz84zo2qowz81zz66zkz122zf0z85z6iy8z90zcz84zu8z68znl6z88zz86zz76zz78zertr2z74zz87z\"> holes\u201d in damaged joints, replace expensive injected medications, and reduce arthritis pain by 95 percent. It also requires the defendants to pay $821,000, which the Commission may use to provide refunds to defrauded consumers.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\n<ul class=\"listtype-quote listindent1 list-quote1\">\n<li><span class=\" author-d-1gg9uz65z1iz85zgdz68zmqkz84zo2qowz81zz66zkz122zf0z85z6iy8z90zcz84zu8z68znl6z88zz86zz76zz78zertr2z74zz87z\">According to the FTC\u2019s complaint, the defendants promoted 30-capsule bottles of Synovia nationwide through newspaper ads, bulk mailers, and their own websites. In addition to the misleading claims and endorsements, the defendants featured consumer testimonials that were often phony, including one showing a user who purportedly<\/span> <span class=\" author-d-1gg9uz65z1iz85zgdz68zmqkz84zo2qowz81zz66zkz122zf0z85z6iy8z90zcz84zu8z68znl6z88zz86zz76zz78zertr2z74zz87z h-ldquo\">\u201cgave<\/span><span class=\" author-d-1gg9uz65z1iz85zgdz68zmqkz84zo2qowz81zz66zkz122zf0z85z6iy8z90zcz84zu8z68znl6z88zz86zz76zz78zertr2z74zz87z\"> away his walker\u201d after using Synovia, the FTC alleged. The complaint further alleges that the defendants falsely claimed that consumers needed to pay extra for a version of Synovia containing an added ingredient to increase pain relief and speed joint repair, when in fact all purchasers received that product.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\n<ul class=\"listtype-quote listindent1 list-quote1\">\n<li><span class=\" author-d-1gg9uz65z1iz85zgdz68zmqkz84zo2qowz81zz66zkz122zf0z85z6iy8z90zcz84zu8z68znl6z88zz86zz76zz78zertr2z74zz87z\">The proposed settlement order also bars the defendants from misrepresenting the results of any scientific study or endorsement and requires them to disclose any material connections they have with endorsers. It imposes a judgement of more than $4.1 million against the defendants, which will be partially suspended after they pay $821,000.&#8221;<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div><span class=\" author-d-1gg9uz65z1iz85zgdz68zmqkz84zo2qowz81zz66zkz122zf0z85z6iy8z90zcz84zu8z68znl6z88zz86zz76zz78zertr2z74zz87z\">\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<div><span class=\" author-d-1gg9uz65z1iz85zgdz68zmqkz84zo2qowz81zz66zkz122zf0z85z6iy8z90zcz84zu8z68znl6z88zz86zz76zz78zertr2z74zz87z\">This is a classic road map for fraud.\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<div><span class=\" author-d-1gg9uz65z1iz85zgdz68zmqkz84zo2qowz81zz66zkz122zf0z85z6iy8z90zcz84zu8z68znl6z88zz86zz76zz78zertr2z74zz87z\">\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<div><span class=\" author-d-1gg9uz65z1iz85zgdz68zmqkz84zo2qowz81zz66zkz122zf0z85z6iy8z90zcz84zu8z68znl6z88zz86zz76zz78zertr2z74zz87z\">Let\u2019s see:<\/span><\/div>\n<div><span class=\" author-d-1gg9uz65z1iz85zgdz68zmqkz84zo2qowz81zz66zkz122zf0z85z6iy8z90zcz84zu8z68znl6z88zz86zz76zz78zertr2z74zz87z\">Make unauthorized health claims \u2013 check<\/span><\/div>\n<div><span class=\" author-d-1gg9uz65z1iz85zgdz68zmqkz84zo2qowz81zz66zkz122zf0z85z6iy8z90zcz84zu8z68znl6z88zz86zz76zz78zertr2z74zz87z\">False claims about an arthritis cure \u2013 check<\/span><\/div>\n<div><span class=\" author-d-1gg9uz65z1iz85zgdz68zmqkz84zo2qowz81zz66zkz122zf0z85z6iy8z90zcz84zu8z68znl6z88zz86zz76zz78zertr2z74zz87z\">Fake testimonials \u2013 check<\/span><\/div>\n<div><span class=\" author-d-1gg9uz65z1iz85zgdz68zmqkz84zo2qowz81zz66zkz122zf0z85z6iy8z90zcz84zu8z68znl6z88zz86zz76zz78zertr2z74zz87z\">Fake doctors \u2013 check<\/span><\/div>\n<div><span class=\" author-d-1gg9uz65z1iz85zgdz68zmqkz84zo2qowz81zz66zkz122zf0z85z6iy8z90zcz84zu8z68znl6z88zz86zz76zz78zertr2z74zz87z\">Fake extra strength version \u2013 check<\/span><\/div>\n<div><span class=\" author-d-1gg9uz65z1iz85zgdz68zmqkz84zo2qowz81zz66zkz122zf0z85z6iy8z90zcz84zu8z68znl6z88zz86zz76zz78zertr2z74zz87z\">Fake customer quote<\/span> <span class=\" author-d-1gg9uz65z1iz85zgdz68zmqkz84zo2qowz81zz66zkz122zf0z85z6iy8z90zcz84zu8z68znl6z88zz86zz76zz78zertr2z74zz87z h-ldquo\">\u201cGave<\/span><span class=\" author-d-1gg9uz65z1iz85zgdz68zmqkz84zo2qowz81zz66zkz122zf0z85z6iy8z90zcz84zu8z68znl6z88zz86zz76zz78zertr2z74zz87z\"> away his walker\u201d \u2013 check<\/span><\/div>\n<div><span class=\" author-d-1gg9uz65z1iz85zgdz68zmqkz84zo2qowz81zz66zkz122zf0z85z6iy8z90zcz84zu8z68znl6z88zz86zz76zz78zertr2z74zz87z\">\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<div><span class=\" author-d-1gg9uz65z1iz85zgdz68zmqkz84zo2qowz81zz66zkz122zf0z85z6iy8z90zcz84zu8z68znl6z88zz86zz76zz78zertr2z74zz87z\">Result:<\/span><\/div>\n<div><span class=\" author-d-1gg9uz65z1iz85zgdz68zmqkz84zo2qowz81zz66zkz122zf0z85z6iy8z90zcz84zu8z68znl6z88zz86zz76zz78zertr2z74zz87z\">Permanent injunction<\/span><\/div>\n<div><span class=\" author-d-1gg9uz65z1iz85zgdz68zmqkz84zo2qowz81zz66zkz122zf0z85z6iy8z90zcz84zu8z68znl6z88zz86zz76zz78zertr2z74zz87z\">$4 Million judgment<\/span><\/div>\n<div><span class=\" author-d-1gg9uz65z1iz85zgdz68zmqkz84zo2qowz81zz66zkz122zf0z85z6iy8z90zcz84zu8z68znl6z88zz86zz76zz78zertr2z74zz87z\">Was it worth it?<\/span><\/div>\n<div><span class=\" author-d-1gg9uz65z1iz85zgdz68zmqkz84zo2qowz81zz66zkz122zf0z85z6iy8z90zcz84zu8z68znl6z88zz86zz76zz78zertr2z74zz87z\">\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<div><span class=\" author-d-1gg9uz65z1iz85zgdz68zmqkz84zo2qowz81zz66zkz122zf0z85z6iy8z90zcz84zu8z68znl6z88zz86zz76zz78zertr2z74zz87z\">Check out the entire article <\/span><span class=\"attrlink url author-d-1gg9uz65z1iz85zgdz68zmqkz84zo2qowz81zz66zkz122zf0z85z6iy8z90zcz84zu8z68znl6z88zz86zz76zz78zertr2z74zz87z\"><a class=\"attrlink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ftc.gov\/news-events\/press-releases\/2019\/12\/ftc-stops-marketers-making-false-arthritis-treatment-claims\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer nofollow noopener\" data-target-href=\"https:\/\/www.ftc.gov\/news-events\/press-releases\/2019\/12\/ftc-stops-marketers-making-false-arthritis-treatment-claims\"><u>here<\/u><\/a><\/span><span class=\" author-d-1gg9uz65z1iz85zgdz68zmqkz84zo2qowz81zz66zkz122zf0z85z6iy8z90zcz84zu8z68znl6z88zz86zz76zz78zertr2z74zz87z\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\u00a0Steps Taken to Stop Synovia from Making False Arthritis Treatment Claims The marketing team of Synovia, a dietary supplement that could &#8220;supposedly&#8221; treat arthritis and alleviate joint pain, has agreed to settle FTC charges, and halt the deceptive marketing tactics they allegedly used to trick consumers. \u00a0 Highlights from the article: &#8220;The FTC\u2019s proposed settlement [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2378,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":""},"categories":[2,40,34,4],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/peterhoppenfeld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2377"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/peterhoppenfeld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/peterhoppenfeld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/peterhoppenfeld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/peterhoppenfeld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2377"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/peterhoppenfeld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2377\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/peterhoppenfeld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2378"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/peterhoppenfeld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2377"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/peterhoppenfeld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2377"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/peterhoppenfeld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2377"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}