Dell, Micron Settle FTC Deception Charges

Dell Computer Corp. and Micron Electronics Inc. settled Federal Trade Commission charges that they misled customers in computer-lease advertisements. The FTC claimed that the companies buried important cost information in inconspicuous or unreadable fine print and in some cases omitted the information. The settlement requires Dell and Micron to provide consumers with clear cost information in all lease ads, the FTC said. A spokeswoman for Dell, based in Round Rock, Texas, said the problems cited by the FTC “were relatively minor and isolated and were quickly and easily addressed.” A spokeswoman for Micron, based in Nampa, Idaho, said the company “will ensure that our future advertisements clearly set out the relevant terms of our financing options.” The proposed settlement, approved by a 4-0 vote of the commission, is subject to public comment for 60 days.