In the past year, the FTC has "rooted out economic 'villains' by actively pursuing the latest generation of fraudsters working to deceive the public… and those that mock the competitive marketplace by engaging in anticompetitive conduct that raises the specter of increased prices or decreased consumer choice," the report states.

The document highlights the Commission's work in the technology area against spyware and adware programs that are installed on consumers' computers without their knowledge or consent. It also mentions the major crackdown on federal Do Not Call list violators, including six settlements against telemarketers. Read the full report here.