FTC Mailing Refund Checks From Two Business Scams

Top Class Actions viewers may be receiving FTC refund checks related to two settlements — a Mobile Money Code scam settlement and an Advertising Strategies settlement.

Mobile Money Code Refund Checks

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is reportedly sending out checks to consumers who lost money in a get-rich-quick scheme that falsely claimed people could earn significant amounts of money by working online and using products marketed as “secret codes.”

The refund checks are from a settlement with the operators of Mobile Money Code, which also used the names eMobile Code, Auto Mobile Code, Easy Cash Code, Full Money System, and Secret Money System.

The refund checks in total will amount to more than $644,000. Reportedly, there will be 12,072 checks sent, averaging around $53 each. The checks will expire after 60 days.

Though the operators told participants that using these “secret codes” online could make them money, in reality, these products were generic software applications for building mobile-friendly websites and did not provide the promised value to participants, according to the FTC.

The Mobile Money Code lawsuit was filed by the FTC, who alleged that the operators of Mobile Money Code managed to make millions of dollars off of consumers, by telling them they could make hundreds of dollars a day using the Mobile Money Code products. Allegedly, this was not the truth.

Further questions can be directed to refund administrator Epiq Systems at 1-888-418-0477.

The Mobile Money Code Scam Lawsuit is Federal Trade Commission v. Ronnie Montano, et al., Case No. 6:17-cv-02203, in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida.

Advertising Strategies Scam Refund Checks

The Federal Trade Commission is also reportedly sending refund checks totaling more than $7 million to consumers affected by an alleged business opportunities scam.

The refund checks are from an FTC settlement with the company Advertising Strategies LLC. The company operates under various names including Building Money, Prime Cash, Wyze Money, and Titan Income.

The FTC is mailing 10,365 Advertising Strategies refund checks to people affected by the alleged Advertising Strategies scam. On average, these checks are worth $684 apiece.

Reportedly, the company has surrendered almost all of their assets to provide refunds to people affected by this alleged scam.

The FTC accused the company of using telemarketing to rope people into bogus business opportunities. Allegedly, these fake opportunities varied, but typically involved buying or investing in a commerce website, or involved participating in profit-sharing programs. The profit-sharing programs reportedly involved credit card companies and e-commerce websites.

According to the FTC, Advertising Strategies LLC targeted people living on a fixed income, like seniors. 

The checks will expire after 60 days, but are legitimate checks, so consumers who receive a refund check from this FTC settlement should cash it within 60 days.

Further questions can be directed to refund administrator Rust Consulting Inc. at 1-888-227-9829.

The Advertising Strategies Business Scam Lawsuit is Federal Trade Commission v. Advertising Strategies LLC, et al., Case No. 2:16-cv-03353, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona.