On Friday, a New York district judge ordered a robocalling operation that was impersonating the Federal Trade Commission to cease its illegal and deceptive practices.

The Cuban Exchange, Inc., and its owner, Suhaylee Rivera, made prerecorded phone calls that promised help with expediting FTC refunds that "you may not even know were owed to you," the FTC alleged. Consumers were directed to a website, ftcrefund.com, where they were told to enter bank information.

"To anyone hell-bent on breaking the law by making illegal robocalls, transmitting phony caller ID information, or impersonating a federal agency, we have two words for you: Stop now. The real Federal Trade Commission will come after you," the FTC warned.

JANE FRIEDMANN