DSSRC Case Decisions and Administrative Closures

The Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council (“DSSRC”) contacted a company (“Company”) regarding eighteen social media posts disseminated on Facebook and YouTube that were identified pursuant to its monitoring of the direct selling industry. Fifteen of the social media posts made health-related claims regarding skin conditions such as, but not limited to, eczema and psoriasis. DSSRC was also concerned that...

The Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council (“DSSRC”) contacted a direct selling company (“Company”) regarding four social media posts disseminated on Facebook that were identified pursuant to its monitoring of the direct selling industry. Three of the posts included references to the ability for Company salesforce members to earn full time income. In addition, the remaining post referenced the COVID-19...

The Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council (“DSSRC”) contacted a direct selling company (“Company”) regarding four social media posts disseminated on Facebook and one YouTube video that were identified pursuant to its monitoring of the direct selling industry. DSSRC expressed its concern to the Company that all five posts communicated atypical earnings claims regarding the amount of income that could be...

The Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council (“DSSRC”) contacted a direct selling company (“Company”) regarding five social media posts disseminated on Facebook and one YouTube video that were identified pursuant to its monitoring of the direct selling industry. The Facebook posts included references to the efficacy of the Company’s products to treat several health-related conditions including arthritis and...

The Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council (“DSSRC”) contacted a company (“Company”) regarding thirteen social media posts disseminated on Facebook that were identified pursuant to its monitoring of the direct selling industry. The posts included references to, among other things, the Company’s “unlimited income potential” and how salesforce members can earn “$1,000 a month,” become “financially...

The Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council (“DSSRC”) contacted a direct selling company (“Company”) regarding three social media posts disseminated on YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok. DSSRC was concerned that these posts may be reasonably interpreted as communicating that by partaking in the Company’s business opportunity, salesforce members would earn a substantial income. The posts were identified by DSSRC...

The Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council (“DSSRC”) contacted a direct selling company (the “Company”) regarding five social media posts that DSSRC was concerned were communicating inappropriate earnings claims. The posts included references such as “replace another income,” “full-time opportunity,” “travel for free,” “what would you do with an extra $500 a month?”, and “looking for a new career or...

The Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council (“DSSRC”) contacted a direct selling company (the “Company”) regarding three social media posts disseminated by company salesforce members that communicated health-related product claims. In addition, DSSRC also inquired regarding certain earnings claims that appeared on the Company’s website as well as earnings claims disseminated by salesforce members on social...

The Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council (“DSSRC”) contacted a direct selling company (the “Company”) regarding one social media post disseminated by a company salesforce member. Some of the language in the post made an atypical representation regarding the level of income that a salesforce member could expect to earn from the Company’s business opportunity. The post was identified by DSSRC pursuant to...

The Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council (“DSSRC”) contacted a direct selling company (the “Company”) regarding six social media posts. The inquiry involved a number of health-related posts which included claims that the Company’s products can treat Alzheimer’s disease and cancer and prevent diabetes and strokes. The posts were identified by DSSRC pursuant to its ongoing, independent monitoring of the...

The Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council (“DSSRC”) contacted a direct selling company (the “Company”) regarding nine social media posts. DSSRC was concerned that these posts made both explicit and implied claims that typical salesforce members of the Company could generally expect to earn significant, full-time, or career replacement income through participating in the Company’s business opportunity. The...

The Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council (“DSSRC”) contacted a direct selling company (the “Company”) regarding one social media post that was disseminated by a salesforce member of the Company. DSSRC was concerned that the post communicated that a typical salesforce member will earn a significant amount of income from the Company’s business opportunity. 

The Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council (“DSSRC”) contacted a direct selling company (the “Company”) regarding four social media posts that conveyed the message that the Company's products can treat several serious health-related conditions including diabetes and autism. DSSRC was also concerned that some of the social media posts communicated the message that salesforce members can generally expect to...

DSSRC contacted a direct selling company regarding three social media posts disseminated by salesforce members that communicated the efficacy of the Company’s products to treat ADHD in children, COVID-19 and other health-related conditions. The social media posts came to DSSRC’s attention pursuant to its independent monitoring of advertising in the direct selling marketplace. 

The Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council (“DSSRC”) contacted a direct selling company (the “Company”) regarding three social media posts that DSSRC was concerned conveyed, either through depictions or accompanying text, that the Company’s salesforce members can earn a significant income through the Company’s business opportunity.

The Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council (“DSSRC”) contacted a direct selling company (the “Company”) regarding four social media posts that DSSRC was concerned contained health-related product claims including statements that the Company’s products could prevent, treat, or cure COVID-19. DSSRC identified the subject social media posts that were made by Company salesforce members through its ongoing...

The Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council (“DSSRC”) contacted a direct selling company (the “Company”) regarding four Facebook posts that were disseminated by salesforce members of the Company. All four of the post conveyed strong health-related product claims including the message that the Company’s products were effective to treat serious health conditions such as COVID-19, ADHD, dementia, Alzheimer’s...

The Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council (“DSSRC”) contacted a direct selling company (the “Company”) regarding social media posts that were disseminated by salesforce members. The subject claims and social media posts came to DSSRC’s attention through its independent monitoring of advertising in the direct selling marketplace. 

The Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council (“DSSRC”) contacted a direct selling company (the “Company”) regarding four Facebook posts that were disseminated by Company salesforce members. All four of the posts made reference to prospective salesforce members being able to “replace lost income” through the Company’s business opportunity and one of the posts included an implied reference to achieving...

The Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council (“DSSRC”) contacted a direct selling company (the “Company”) regarding one Facebook post and two TikTok posts disseminated by salesforce members of the Company.  DSSRC was concerned that the Facebook post conveyed disease treatment claims and that the TikTok posts contained strong health-related product performance claims including claims that the Company’s...

The Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council (“DSSRC”) contacted a direct selling company (the “Company”) regarding two Facebook posts disseminated by salesforce members.  DSSRC was concerned that one of the posts conveyed claims that the Company’s products can protect against disease including express claims stating that the salesforce member is “COVID free” and the products being a “pandemic response.”...

The Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council (“DSSRC”) contacted a direct selling company (the “Company”) regarding six posts made on social media by Company salesforce members.  DSSRC was concerned that the social media posts disseminated by these Company salesforce members included unsubstantiated product, health and wellness benefits including claims that the Company’s products can protect against...

The Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council (“DSSRC”) contacted a direct selling company (the “Company”) regarding two Facebook posts by Company salesforce members that referenced serious health-related conditions that purportedly could be addressed by use of the Company’s products. 

The Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council (“DSSRC”) contacted a direct selling company (the “Company”) regarding two Facebook posts making claims about the Company’s products. The Facebook posts were disseminated by a Company salesforce member and a former salesforce member of the Company. The social media posts were identified during DSSRC’s monitoring of the...

The Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council (“DSSRC”) contacted a direct selling company (“Company”) regarding three Facebook posts disseminated by Company salesforce members that were identified during DSSRC’s monitoring of the direct selling industry. DSSRC expressed its concern to the Company that all of the posts implied that the Company products are effective to treat a number of health-related...

The Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council (“DSSRC”) contacted a direct selling company (“Company”) regarding three Facebook posts that were identified during DSSRC’s monitoring of the direct selling industry and disseminated by Company salesforce members. 

The Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council (“DSSRC”) commenced an inquiry with a direct selling company (“Company”) regarding three Facebook posts disseminated by Company salesforce members. 

The Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council (“DSSRC”) contacted a direct selling company (the “Company”) about three Facebook posts disseminated by salesforce members of the Company. Two of the posts in question implied that the Company’s nutritional products could help individuals that consume such products fight viruses including COVID-19. The other post made specific health-related product efficacy claims...

The Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council (“DSSRC”) contacted a direct selling company (the “Company”) about two Facebook posts disseminated by salesforce members of the Company. The posts in question implied that engaging in direct selling of the Company’s products could provide replacement income for those out of work due to COVID and/or a new career during the current public health crisis.

The Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council (DSSRC) contacted a direct selling company (Company) regarding three Facebook posts disseminated by its salesforce members. The subject claims and social media posts came to DSSRC’s attention pursuant to its independent monitoring of advertising in the direct selling marketplace. 

The Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council (DSSRC) contacted a direct selling company (Company) regarding three coronavirus related hashtags that accompanied a post stating that the Company’s product can strengthen the immune system. Earlier this year, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) stated that coronavirus related claims and hashtags when coupled with claims that a product can strengthen or boost the...

The Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council (“DSSRC”) contacted a direct selling company (“Company”) regarding two Facebook posts and one Instagram post disseminated by Company salesforce members. All three posts referenced the ability of the direct selling company’s product to prevent and eliminate the coronavirus.

The Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council (DSSRC) contacted a direct selling company regarding three Facebook post disseminated by its salesforce members. The subject claims and social media posts came to DSSRC’s attention pursuant to its independent monitoring of advertising in the direct selling marketplace. 

The Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council (“DSSRC”) contacted a direct selling company (“Company”) regarding three Facebook posts disseminated by salesforce members that included claims that the Company’s products can assist in treating a number of serious health-related conditions including, but not limited to, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease and Multiple Sclerosis.

DSSRC contacted a direct selling company regarding two Facebook posts disseminated by its salesforce members. The subject social media posts came to DSSRC’s attention pursuant to its independent monitoring of advertising in the direct selling marketplace. Specifically, DSSRC expressed concern that the posts conveyed the unsupported health-related message that the Company’s direct selling products can protect...

DSSRC contacted a direct selling company regarding three social media posts disseminated by its salesforce members. The subject social media posts came to DSSRC’s attention pursuant to its independent monitoring of advertising in the direct selling marketplace. Specifically, DSSRC expressed concerns that the posts conveyed unsupported product, health and wellness benefits and the message that the Company’s...

Social media advertising for a direct selling company that markets health and wellness products came to the attention of the Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council (DSSRC) pursuant to its monitoring of the direct selling industry. DSSRC identified three Facebook posts that were disseminated by Company salesforce members as communicating egregious health-related claims. One post stated “build your immune...

DSSRC contacted a direct selling company about two Facebook posts disseminated by the company’s salesforce members that conveyed product performance stating and/or implying that the company’s products can help prevent or treat COVID-19. Both posts came to DSSRC’s attention pursuant to its independent monitoring of advertising in the direct selling marketplace.

DSSRC contacted a direct selling company about two YouTube videos disseminated by the company’s salesforce members that conveyed product performance claims while referencing the current global pandemic. Both videos came to DSSRC’s attention pursuant to its independent monitoring of advertising in the direct selling marketplace.

DSSRC contacted a direct selling company about two social media posts disseminated by the company’s salesforce members that conveyed product performance claims. Both social media posts came to DSSRC’s attention pursuant to its independent monitoring of advertising in the direct selling marketplace. 

DSSRC contacted a direct selling company about certain social media posts disseminated by salesforce members regarding product efficacy claims that referenced “Corona Virus.” DSSRC also identified more general product claims regarding viruses that DSSRC was concerned could be reasonably interpreted could be reasonably interpreted as meaning that the company’s products are effective against the...

DSSRC contacted a direct selling company about three social media posts disseminated by salesforce members regarding business opportunities during the pandemic. The social media posts came to DSSRC’s attention pursuant to its independent monitoring of advertising in the direct selling marketplace. 

DSSRC contacted a direct selling company about three business opportunity posts disseminated by salesforce members. The social media posts came to DSSRC’s attention pursuant to its independent monitoring of advertising in the direct selling marketplace. 

DSSRC contacted a direct selling company about three social media post disseminated by salesforce members. The social media posts came to DSSRC’s attention pursuant to its independent monitoring of advertising in the direct selling marketplace. Specifically, DSSRC expressed concern that the social media posts conveyed unsubstantiated product health and wellness benefit claims related to the current COVID-19...

DSSRC contacted a direct selling company about four social media posts disseminated by its salesforce members. The subject social media posts came to DSSRC’s attention pursuant to its independent monitoring of advertising in the direct selling marketplace. Specifically, DSSRC expressed concern that the social media posts conveyed unsubstantiated product, health and wellness benefits that the Company’s direct...

DSSRC contacted a direct selling company about a social media post disseminated by a salesforce member. The subject social media post came to DSSRC’s attention pursuant to its independent monitoring of advertising in the direct selling marketplace. Specifically, DSSRC expressed concern that the social media post conveyed unsubstantiated product, health and wellness benefits that the Company’s direct selling...

DSSRC contacted a direct selling company about two social media posts disseminated by its salesforce members. The subject social media posts came to DSSRC’s attention pursuant to its independent monitoring of advertising in the direct selling marketplace. Specifically, DSSRC expressed concerns that two of the social media posts conveyed unsubstantiated product, health and wellness benefits that the Company’s...

DSSRC contacted a direct selling company about thirty-five social media posts disseminated by its salesforce members. The subject social media posts came to DSSRC’s attention pursuant to its independent monitoring of advertising in the direct selling marketplace. Specifically, DSSRC expressed concerns that thirty-three of the social media posts...

Social media posts disseminated by distributors for a multi-level company came to the attention of the Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council (DSSRC) pursuant to its internal monitoring process. More specifically, one Instagram post...

In 2019, DSSRC contacted a direct selling company regarding several earnings claims on the direct selling company’s website as well as claims that were being disseminated by the company’s salesforce on social media.

DSSRC contacted a direct selling company (the “Company”) about earnings claims disseminated on the Company’s website and on social media by salesforce members. Specifically, DSSRC identified a number of express and implied earnings claim that referenced financial freedom, exorbitant bonuses and vacations, luxury cars, the ability to pay off college loans and generous reward programs. The advertising also...

In 2020, a direct selling company contacted DSSRC seeking guidance regarding company events at which top distributors are recognized. The direct selling company stated that it had previously presented some of its highest performing distributors with oversized checks at the event but, since the success of those top distributors was not typical, it was concerned that the oversized checks might convey an...

DSSRC opened an inquiry with a direct selling company regarding Instagram and Facebook posts made by the Company salesforce regarding claims of achieving “financial freedom,” a claim stating that potential recruits can “earn the income that want,” an unqualified claim of atypical earnings and an unqualified claim regarding company incentive trips.

The Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council (DSSRC) inquired with a direct selling company regarding twos social media posts disseminated by members of the Company salesforce. The first claim appeared on Instagram and stated that that the salesforce member was able to more than replace her salary from here previous, full-time job.