The Federal Trade Commission has settled a lawsuit accusing adult Web site marketer Xpics Publishing Inc., of charging patrons' credit cards after enticing them with offers of "free" viewing, according to wire service reports.
Xpics offered free 30-day or 90-day trials, requiring users to provide credit-card information to verify their age. The company then billed the credit cards, sometimes in matter of hours, the agency alleged.
The settlement calls for full repayment for improperly billed consumers and requires the company to place banner ads on Yahoo Inc. that link to a site where consumers can file online claims. The settlement also requires the Web operator to post "clear and conspicuous" disclosures on its Web site.
Xpics's was unavailable for comment.
