WASHINGTON – In a significant move to reinforce the finality of federal oversight, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on January 14, 2026, that Dun & Bradstreet Inc. (D&B) has been ordered to pay $5.7 million to resolve allegations of violating a previous Federal Trade Commission (FTC) mandate. The settlement, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, highlights the government’s commitment to protecting small businesses from deceptive marketing and administrative negligence.
The penalty stems from D&B’s alleged failure to adhere to a 2022 FTC Administrative Order designed to curb misleading business credit reporting practices. By flouting these established safeguards, the DOJ and FTC argue that D&B continued to exploit the small business community through opaque pricing and false promises.
Breaking Down the $5.7 Million Settlement
The financial resolution is structured to both penalize the corporation and provide direct restitution to affected American businesses.
- $2,063,000 Civil Penalty: A direct fine paid to the U.S. Treasury for violating the 2022 order.
- $2,785,786 New Refunds: Fresh capital earmarked for customers who were overcharged or misled.
- $924,590 Previous Restitution: Credits and refunds already issued by D&B during the investigation, which are officially accounted for in the total settlement.
The Triple Breach: Alleged Violations
According to the federal complaint, Dun & Bradstreet violated three critical provisions of the 2022 mandate:
- Deceptive Pricing: The company failed to provide accurate and timely notifications regarding automatic renewal prices, leading to undisclosed price hikes for small business subscribers.
- Credit Score Misrepresentation: Sales representatives allegedly continued to claim that purchasing D&B’s fee-based products would directly improve a business’s credit score—a claim that the FTC previously identified as misleading.
- Failure to Maintain Records: In a direct blow to oversight, D&B failed to retain voice recordings of telemarketing calls where products were offered under automatic renewal, making it difficult for regulators to audit sales tactics.
Beyond the Fines: New Compliance Standards
To prevent future recidivism, the court-entered order imposes a rigorous “Triple-Check” compliance framework:
- Independent Oversight: D&B must hire a third-party quality-assurance monitor to oversee its telemarketing and sales operations.
- Annual Certification: The company’s leadership is now personally required to certify annually that D&B is in full compliance with all federal orders.
- Rapid Reporting: D&B must notify the FTC within 60 days of any discovered compliance failure, specifically regarding data accuracy and record retention.
“Our signed orders are not suggestions,” stated Christopher Mufarrige, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “This settlement is another example of our effort to reinvigorate our fraud program and protect small businesses from deceptive and unlawful conduct.”
Why It Matters for Small Businesses
For decades, Dun & Bradstreet has functioned as a gatekeeper of commercial reputation. Small businesses rely on accurate D&B credit reports to secure loans, win contracts, and establish trade terms with suppliers. When a gatekeeper engages in deceptive practices, it doesn’t just cost money—it distorts the competitive landscape of the American economy.
The January 2026 settlement serves as a warning to data providers that the “cost of doing business” will no longer include the systematic ignoring of federal consent decrees.
Federal Courthouse Miami, FL Flickr Picture by Miami92
