FTC Published Rule of Mail, Telephone, and Internet Sales

On September 17, 2014, the FTC published in the Federal Register (79 FR 55615) Mail or Telephone Order Merchandise; Final rule. The provisions of the final Rule will become effective on December 8, 2014.

The final amendments modify the Rule in four ways.

1. They clarify that the Rule covers all Internet merchandise orders, regardless of the method consumers use to access the Internet.

2. They permit refunds and refund notices by any means at least as fast and reliable as first class mail.

3. They clarify sellers' refund obligations for orders using payment methods not specifically enumerated in the Rule (``non-enumerated payments'').

4. They require sellers to process any third party credit card refunds by seven working days after a buyer's right to a refund vests.