Don’t Say That

The FTC Cracks Down On Hidden Fees...

It’s New Year’s Eve, and Greg and I are back with a rapid-fire episode of the Don’t Say That podcast! 
The government is keeping us on our toes with some major compliance updates—and we’re here to break them down for you.
First up, we’re diving into the latest twists with the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) and BOI filings. 
Under the new rules, businesses must file by January 13th or face hefty daily fines ($500/Day!). Greg explains what this means and how to stay compliant.
Then, we switch gears to hidden junk fees. 
Whether it’s hotels, concert tickets, or even restaurant bills, these sneaky charges are everywhere. 
The FTC is cracking down, and we cover what businesses (and customers) can expect when the new rules take effect.
Here’s what we cover in today’s episode:
What businesses need to do to avoid $500/day fines.
Details on the FTC’s new rule against hidden fees and who it targets.
Greg’s predictions on the TikTok Supreme Court case
Where hidden fees sneak into subscription services and how to fix it.
Start the new year on the right foot with these critical compliance updates!

What Happens When The FTC Asks for Your Financials?

In this episode, Greg and I dive into one of the scariest parts of dealing with any regulator: financial disclosures. 
If you’ve ever wondered, “What exactly do they want, and how do I protect myself?” this episode is a must-listen.
When you’re in legal trouble, regulators demand a complete picture of your finances, which means listing out all assets and liabilities—and failing to disclose something can make things far worse. 
But what should you include, how should you structure it, and what mistakes could cost you dearly?
Here’s what we broke down during this jam-packed episode:
The key financial details the FTC demands during an investigation (and why you MUST disclose everything).
How liabilities like credit card debt or chargebacks can offset your total net worth.
Why asset freezes make it nearly impossible to backtrack if you’re not prepared ahead of time.
The limits of trusts and why they don’t protect you from settlements, despite what you’ve heard.
How Greg’s forensic approach helped me avoid costly mistakes while calculating my financials.
What you reveal—and how you do it—can make all the difference. Listen now to stay ahead and protect yourself the right way!

A Passive Income Offer That Could Lead To Jail Time

In today’s episode of the Don’t Say That podcast. Greg dropped a bombshell about done-for-you businesses like Amazon FBA or dropshipping setups. 
Turns out, the DOJ and SEC are cracking down hard, and it’s landing people in jail—not just the founders, but even the salespeople!
We originally had a different topic planned, but this was too important not to dive into. If you’re selling these programs—or even thinking about starting one—this episode could save you from major legal trouble.
Here’s what Greg and I discussed:
The SEC and DOJ’s recent actions against done-for-you business programs.
Why selling a $40K passive opportunity might classify as an unregistered security.
A case study where a top salesperson was targeted!
How improper disclosures can get both founders and sales teams in serious legal trouble.
Why transparency, compliance, and proper filings are non-negotiable in today’s environment.
If you’re selling a program promising passive income, this is a must-watch episode.

Is Your “Done-for-You” Offer a Legal Risk?

In this episode of the Don’t Say That podcast, Greg and I tackle the Business Opportunity Rule—a topic that could make or break your business if you're in the "make money online" or business education niche.
Recent cases have made something crystal clear: if you're offering certain types of training or business setups, the FTC could FREEZE your assets and label you non-compliant. 
Greg breaks it down so we can all stay out of trouble.
Here’s what we cover:
The alarming rise in FTC cases using the Business Opportunity Rule.
Key factors that determine whether you’re subject to this regulation.
Why "done-for-you" services could be a compliance death sentence.
How the pricing of your program can trigger regulatory scrutiny.
Three actionable steps to steer clear of Business Opportunity Rule violations.
If you’re helping people start or grow businesses, listen to this episode—your compliance (and assets) depend on it!

Why Surveys Could Save Your Business From the FTC

In this episode of the Don’t Say That podcast, Greg and Anik break down a POWERFUL and often overlooked compliance tool: surveys.
Surveys aren’t just a tool to improve your business—they’re a secret weapon for compliance. 
Anik learned this the hard way during my own FTC investigation. Turns out, surveys could have saved me a lot of headaches. 
In this episode, Greg and I break down why surveys matter and how to use them strategically in your business.
We cover topics like…
Why the FTC loves to see survey data during investigations.
How surveys bridge the gap between marketing promises and customer expectations.
The critical importance of acting on survey results—and documenting the changes.
Whether surveys should be run directly or through an attorney for legal protection.
Three must-ask questions to uncover what your customers really think.
Surveys can help you stay compliant and build a better business. Don’t miss this episode—it reveals a key way to reduce your risk of lawsuits.

Offer Financing Solutions for Your High Ticket? The FTC Is Watching…

If you’re offering financing for your high-ticket programs, this is an important episode. 
The FTC just took down a company for shady financing practices—and their case could have serious implications for anyone offering or partnering with financing options.
In this episode, Greg and I dive deep into a shocking case where a financing company used “credit stacking” to exploit clients—and why marketers need to take this as a wake-up call.
We break down:
The FTC’s stance on financing offers tied to coaching programs.
Why the “last dollar rule” could get you in serious trouble.
What “credit stacking” is and why it’s illegal when incentivized by marketers.
How shady financing practices can destroy your business AND reputation.
Best practices to ensure any financing you offer is fully compliant.
Financing can help your customers afford your program, but if it’s done wrong it can lead to substantial violations. Learn how to stay compliant and ethical!

10 Costly FTC Webinar Mistakes You Might Be Making...

In this episode, Anik comes at you straight from Webinar Con to reveal 10 costly compliance mistakes that many marketers make in their webinars.
These mistakes are SHOCKINGLY common - some are even taught in many copywriting courses!
The good news is that even without these practices, your webinars can still CONVERT!
In this episode, Anik dives into mistakes like…
A common mistake webinar marketers make in the FIRST MINUTE of their webinar.
The problem with saying an evergreen webinar is live.
2 testimonial mistakes the FTC is cracking down on.
Why regulators HATE “value stacking.”
Why FALSE SCARCITY could lead to lawsuits from customers.
Webinars are one of the most powerful sales tools we have, but if you’re not careful, they can land you in hot water with the FTC. 
Learn these common mistakes and cut them out of your marketing!

New Congressional Report Accuses Lina Khan of Overreach!

In this episode, Greg and I unpack a big new report from Congress on FTC Chair Lina Khan.
This oversight report accuses Khan of crossing some serious lines—like letting politics influence the FTC’s work and compromising due process.
Greg brings his deep knowledge to break down what’s in this report, how the FTC has shifted under Khan, and what might change with the new administration. 
Whether or not the claims are politically motivated, the findings are pretty eye-opening.
In this episode, we dig into…
Key accusations from the report about Khan's alleged political influence.
How this oversight report claims the FTC’s role has been compromised.
The impact of FTC asset freezes and how due process is affected.
Potential shifts in FTC enforcement if new leadership takes over.
Why marketers and small businesses may still face strict scrutiny.
Check it out to understand the revelations of this report, what Trump’s victory means, and what it means for your business!

Using These 4 Words on Sales Calls? You Could Get Sued!

This might be the hardest lesson I’ve ever learned. The FTC hit me with fines mainly because our sales team kept asking one simple question. 
And it's 4 words long…
Here's the thing - most marketers don't realize this common sales tactic is actually considered an implied earnings claim by regulators. Even with a full-time paralegal and strict sales policies, we still got in trouble.
In this episode, Greg and I break down:
The FTC views goal-setting questions as manipulative future pacing techniques…
Our team missed this violation until Greg pointed it out…
How to restructure your marketing to attract qualified customers upfront…
Why targeting desperate customers often leads to non-compliant tactics…
The right way to qualify prospects without asking about income goals…
I've completely changed how I handle sales calls now. 
Instead of trying to dance around compliance issues, I focus on attracting customers who can make logical decisions about our products. The calls are easier, conversions are higher, and I sleep better at night.
Just straightforward conversations with qualified prospects. Trust me - your business will thank you for it.
 

Big New FTC Rules for Phone Sales - Urgent!

If you use the phone, Zoom, or one-on-one sales strategies, the FTC could be watching you closely.
And they just passed some major new rules that went into effect just a week ago that you need to know about.
In this week’s episode of “Don’t Say That!”, I sat down with compliance attorney Greg Christiansen, who has over 20 years of experience, to break down:
The specific new record-keeping requirements the FTC is imposing on all telesales teams…
What details you must now meticulously document for every single sales call…
The shocking 5-year retention period the FTC is demanding for this call data…
How failing to comply can result in the FTC unwinding your sales transactions…
Steps you need to take immediately to update your CRM and sales processes…
The bottom line is these new telesales rules are extremely thorough, and most marketers are completely unaware they exist. 
Don't get caught off guard - listen to this episode to ensure you're fully compliant before the FTC comes knocking.