TOPEKA – (February 4, 2011) – Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt announced today that his office has received $610,000 from DIRECTV and Dannon as part of multi-state settlements resulting from consumer protection allegations against the companies.

Attorneys general from 49 states and the District of Columbia alleged that DIRECTV engaged in deceptive and unfair sales practices. Dannon settled charges of deceptive advertising filed by 39 states.

“These settlements today are big wins for Kansas consumers,” Schmidt said. “Protecting Kansans from deceptive business practices and returning money unfairly taken from consumers are important priorities for my office, especially during these tough economic times.”

The states alleged that DIRECTV was not clearly disclosing prices, terms or limitations to consumers, and enrolling them or re-enrolling them in additional services without clearly disclosing the terms to the consumer. Additionally, the company advertised cash back to consumers, but provided it as bill credits instead. DIRECTV is required to correct these practices, and has agreed to pay restitution to consumers. Kansas has received $185,000 of a $13.25 million monetary settlement.

The Dannon settlement was made regarding claims of health benefits in the advertising, marketing, packaging, and selling Activia yogurts and DanActive dairy drinks. The states alleged that these claims were not substantiated by reliable scientific evidence at the time the claims were made. Under the terms of the settlement, Dannon may not represent that the covered products can prevent, treat, cure or mitigate disease.  Kansas received $425,000 of a $21 million settlement in this case.

Consumers who have complaints in either of these cases may contact the Kansas Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division at (800) 432-2310 or online at www.ksag.org.