Global U.S. Resources , also doing business as American Publishing, American Publications, American Power Publications, ESM Group, and East Shore Marketing Group; and Louis Salatto allegedly misrepresented the earnings potential of their envelope-stuffing operation.

An "envelope-stuffing operation" is one that claims you can earn money by putting circulars into envelopes. According to the FTC's complaint, consumers who paid a "refundable" fee, typically USD40, did not receive the promised income ranging from USD1,200 to USD4,400 per week. Consumers typically received either nothing or a pamphlet listing other bogus work-at-home opportunities and instructions for marketing them. Those who sought refunds were typically unable to reach anyone at the company and could get refunds only by complaining to a Better Business Bureau or a law enforcement agency.

The court ordered the defendants to pay a USD2.2 million judgment that, according to other documents filed in court, reflects the total amount of money lost by more than 50,000 consumers, and banned them from selling work-at-home opportunities.

The order also prohibits the defendants from misrepresenting any good or service, and from selling or otherwise benefiting from customers' personal information, and requires them to properly dispose of customers' personal information within 30 days.

The default order was entered by the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut.

Source: FTC, USA