FTC Targets Publishing.com Bros for Shady Business Tricks—Public Weighs In!
Published Date: 4/16/2026
Notice
Summary
Publishing.com, LLC and the Mikkelsen brothers are facing charges for unfair or deceptive business practices. They’ve agreed to stop these actions under a proposed deal, and the public has until May 18, 2026, to share their thoughts. This means changes for the company and no money penalties are mentioned yet, but everyone’s watching closely!
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Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Company ordered to pay $1.5 million for redress
The proposed Order requires the respondents to pay $1.5 million in monetary relief and includes other monetary provisions to ensure those funds are received. The Order also requires the company to give the Commission enough customer information so the FTC can administer redress, if possible.
No more misleading earnings claims
The company and the two named owners are permanently barred from making earnings claims about their self-publishing programs unless those claims are non-misleading and they have a reasonable basis for them. This is part of the proposed FTC Order that would stop future false or unsubstantiated earnings promises.
Refund promise must be honored
The FTC alleges the company misrepresented its refund policy as a simple 12-month money-back guarantee and the proposed Order forbids misrepresenting or failing to disclose material terms of any cancellation or refund policy. It also requires honoring consumers' cancellation or refund requests in line with the policy in effect at purchase.
Broad ban on material misrepresentations
The proposed Order prohibits the respondents from making the specific misrepresentations alleged in the complaint and from misrepresenting any other material fact in the sale of any product or service. This is meant to stop deceptive marketing beyond the specific earnings and refund claims alleged.
Testimonials and paid reviews must be disclosed
The proposed Order bars the company from misrepresenting testimonials and endorsements and requires disclosure of any unexpected material connections or payments to endorsers or reviewers. This means reviewers must be presented honestly and any payments or incentives for reviews must be disclosed.
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