On August 27, 2004, the Federal Trade Commmission (FTC) reported that two Maine-based dietary supplement marketers and their principals have agreed to settle FTC charges that they made deceptive advertising claims about their dietary supplement products, in violation of federal law. In separate actions, the FTC alleged that Pinnacle Marketing, LLC and its principals, and VisionTel Communications, LLC and its principals, falsely advertised that certain dietary supplements caused substantial weight loss without diet or exercise, and made other false and unsubstantiated weight loss claims. The FTC also alleged that the VisionTel defendants made unsubstantiated claims that dietary supplements marketed for male and female sexual dysfunction were safe and effective. The proposed settlements, which require court approval, would permanently bar both companies and their principals from making the challenged false weight loss claims and from making efficacy and safety claims for weight loss and other health-related products, services, and programs without scientific evidence. The Pinnacle defendants have agreed to pay $219,000 and the VisionTel defendants have agreed to pay $750,000 to settle these matters. These amounts are based on the defendants' ability to pay.