root, the root of the region

timeThis year, eight major league baseball teams are celebrating milestone anniversaries, as are the Federal Trade Commission’s regional offices. In 1918, the Commission opened its first three regional offices. Today, eight regional offices continue to do their best on behalf of American consumers. So it is only fitting that on this important day we recognize our regional offices for their century-long pennant-winning performance.

According to the Commission’s 1918 Annual Report, “To expedite the much increased work of the Commission . . . small branches were established in New York, Chicago, and San Francisco.” Over time, the FTC added other locations, currently at seven There are a total of eight offices in each region. Regional staff collaborate with the Bureau of Consumer Protection and the Bureau of Competition in investigations and litigation. But they are in a unique position to host roundtables and workshops in their communities; coordinate with local, state and cross-border law enforcement officials; and build partnerships with consumer groups and small business organizations in their areas. According to the scouting report, there’s no ball they can’t hit.

The following is a brief summary of each region’s scores, highlighting a few of their many MVP contributions to the FTC’s consumer protection mission.

Eastern Central Region. In 1918, the Cleveland Indians had just ended their pennant run, but the Federal Trade Commission’s office in Cleveland was working to bring back the W for consumers and small businesses. For example, ECR has filed numerous cases over the past two decades to protect small businesses in its region and across the country, including cramming, business listings, and disorderly merchandise fraud. Most recently, ECR played a central role in Operation Main Street, the FTC’s recent initiative targeting small businesses to combat scammers.

Midwestern region. Chicago fans may be divided over Cubs and White Sox loyalties, but consumers who lost money to scammers who used the services of major money transfer companies applaud the FTC’s settlement with the DOJ that will return $586 million Give them to Chicago. Just recently, MWR hosted the Commission’s workshop on cryptocurrency scams and played a leading role in Operation TechTrap, a coordinated state, federal and international effort to target tech support fraudsters.

North-east area. Given New York’s connections to names like Huggins, Hooker, Stengel, Berra and Torre, it’s no surprise that the FTC Northeast region has special expertise in coaching. But as far as NER is concerned, this is about companies that make deceptive “coaching” and money-making representations. The New York-based office is also one of the FTC’s most aggressive fighters in addressing misleading practices in the affiliate marketing industry. Based in New York, NER has been a leader in educating consumers, especially older Americans and small businesses.

North-west region. Like their hometown Seattle Mariners, the FTC Northwest Division has a proven track record of dealing with a complex field. NWR coordinates Operation Honor Giving, a nationwide effort to target fraudulent charities that are accused of defrauding consumers by falsely promising that their donations will help veterans and active-duty military members. In addition, our team in Seattle regularly coordinates with Canadian counterparts to combat cross-border fraud. They have been at the forefront of technology issues, bringing the FTC’s first dot-com cases in the 1990s and, more recently, early internet influencer actions.

Southeast region. The Atlanta Braves have a national fan base, and due to their expertise in fighting fraud, the FTC Southeast Region can be proud of their national reach as well. The SER, for example, has been at the forefront of efforts to stop fraud in the travel industry. Operation Travel Trap and Last Resort Timeshare are just two examples. SER employees are also community leaders, hosting Scam Jam events with the BBB and reaching out to consumer groups and small business organizations in their areas.

Southwest Region. Texas can be proud of the 2017 Astros World Champions, just as we are proud of what FTC Dallas Southwest has accomplished. A recent example: The staff’s expertise in handling pyramid schemes and chain referral cases, including a recent settlement with a company that targeted college students and other young people with practices the Federal Trade Commission said created a pyramid scheme . Like another famous Texan, SWR staff regularly “travel again,” speaking with consumers and business groups throughout the region at libraries, town halls, fairs, and conferences.

West Region (Los Angeles). It’s fitting that the FTC’s Western District Los Angeles office has extensive experience dealing with “crooks”—companies accused of making dodgy claims. For example, WR-LA staff filed the first Do Not Call case with the FTC. The WR-LA location provides staff with unique experience in coordinating consumer education events at local military installations, including military common ground meetings. Additionally, WR-LA won $100 million in loan forgiveness and student refunds in an action against a postsecondary school for deceptive claims.

West Region (San Francisco). The Federal Trade Commission’s Western Region San Francisco office is a veritable giant. In the 1980s, they filed one of the first lawsuits under Section 13(b), establishing the Commission’s ability to obtain injunctive and monetary relief in federal district courts. Most recently, they spearheaded a precedent-setting case concerning the scope of the common carrier exemption under the Federal Trade Commission Act. Given its central location in Silicon Valley, WR-SF plays a key role in business outreach and education for the technology community.

The 1918 list included names like Babe Ruth, Walter Johnson and Ty Cobb. In its 100th year, we are equally proud of the achievements of the FTC Region All-Stars.