FTC Publishes Inflation-Adjusted Civil Penalty Amounts for 2022
The Act directs agencies to implement annual inflation adjustments based on a prescribed formula.

The Act directs agencies to implement annual inflation adjustments based on a prescribed formula.
FTC – The Federal Trade Commission has adjusted the maximum civil penalty dollar amounts for violations of 16 provisions of law the agency enforces, as required by the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015.
The Act directs agencies to implement annual inflation adjustments based on a prescribed formula. The new maximum civil penalty amounts will take effect once they are published in the Federal Register.
The maximum civil penalty amount has increased from $43,792 to $46,517 for violations of Sections 5(l), 5(m)(1)(A), and 5(m)(1)(B) of the FTC Act, 7A(g)(l) of the Clayton Act and Section 525(b) of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act. It has increased from $576 to $612 for violations of Section 10 of the FTC Act. The maximum civil penalty amount has increased from $1,246,249 to $1,323,791 for violations of Section 814(a) of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. The maximum civil penalty amounts for other law violations within the agency’s jurisdiction are listed in the Federal Register notice.
The Commission voted 4-0 to publish the Federal Register notice amending Commission Rule 1.98.
The Federal Trade Commission works to promote competition, and protect and educate consumers. You can learn more about consumer topics and file a consumer complaint online or by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357). For the latest news and resources, follow the FTC on social media, subscribe to press releases and read our blogs.
More Compliance

Dealer Ads and the FTC
The agency has made it clear in recent enforcement actions and warnings, in auto retail and other industries, that advertised prices must include all nonoptional costs to the consumer.
Read More →
AAMS Training and Mosaic Compliance Services Merge
The strategic combination is intended to expand technology-driven compliance solutions for the automotive industry.
Read More →
The Jurisprudence of Pricing
Legal concept helps makes sense of California’s recently passed version of the failed federal CARS legislation.
Read More →
Trump 2.0 and Enforcement Priorities
The upshot is don’t relax, because regulation indeed continues.
Read More →
June Is Automotive Service Professionals Month
Observance is opportunity to thank technicians for their crucial role in auto retail.
Read More →
Cox Automotive Releases Compliance Guide
New edition walks auto dealers through relevant regulations for 2025.
Read More →
Trump 2.0 and Retail Automotive
Administration’s plans should generally bode well for the industry.
Read More →
CARS Rule Update: 5th Circuit Oral Arguments Recap
In this video, Jim Ganther of Mosaic Compliance Services, recaps the key takeaways from the oral arguments in the critical CARS Rule case, including potential outcomes and what dealers should do to stay ahead of compliance changes.
Read More →
State of the CARS Rule, Part 3
The players in the automotive industry should coordinate their responses to this pending regulation.
Read More →
The Future of Car Dealer Documents
Where forms, documents, agreements and contracts could be in 50 years.
Read More →