Advert Marketing agreed to settle FTC charges it...

Advert Marketing agreed to settle FTC charges it scammed individuals through millions of unwanted text messages promising $1,000 gift cards to retailers like Best Buy, Target and Walmart, the FTC said in a Thursday release (http://1.usa.gov/1legJXd). The company and two individuals operating it -- Scott Dalrymple and Robert Wence -- are “permanently banned from sending unwanted or unsolicited commercial text messages or assisting others in doing so,” the FTC said. The settlement includes a $4.2 million judgment, which is being partially suspended because of insufficient funds. Both individuals will have to pay the FTC $15,000 and destroy any consumer data they've collected. The commissioners voted unanimously to approve the final judgment.