FTC Sues Passport-Services Defendants Over Alleged Government Impersonation
The FTC alleges $40M+ taken from 300,000+ consumers via government-impersonating search ads, while its open comment period probes tougher platform duties under the impersonation rule.
On Oct. 22 the FTC sued GovAssist, Entry and owner Scott Zuckerman, alleging the passport-services operation collected more than $40 million from over 300,000 consumers. The complaint says sponsored Google results for terms like "passport renewal" led to sites using official-looking imagery, government-adjacent names and agency references to suggest State Department affiliation, and that disclaimers denying affiliation did not cure the overall message. Consumers reportedly received only application paperwork and still owed government fees, while portals told them applications had been submitted. Prices advertised "starting at $89" allegedly began at $119 before shipping, and three-to-four-business-day delivery was promised despite no ability to expedite State Department processing. The FTC also alleges fabricated Trustpilot reviews, though it did not plead the Rule on the Use of Consumer Reviews and Testimonials; the claims are Section 5 of the FTC Act, the Impersonation of Government and Businesses Rule, and the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act. Separately, the FTC is soliciting comment on whether to heighten requirements that platforms police ads implicating the impersonation rule and prevent their display, a point that matters for search and social platforms and for advertisers whose campaigns sit near government services. Advertisers should audit whether disclaimers, price points, speed claims and review programs work together, and platform counsel should track the comment record and follow-on rulemaking.