Riddex Pest Control Class Action Settlement Close to Approval

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A Florida federal judge has indicated that he will give preliminary approval to a class action settlement related to allegations that Global Concepts Ltd. Inc. exaggerated the effectiveness of its Riddex electronic pest control system.

U.S. Magistrate Judge William C. Turnoff said Friday that he would certify the class and preliminarily approve the Riddex class action settlement, which would provide cash refunds for the product, up to a maximum of $1,000 per claimant.

Two class action lawsuits were filed against Global Concepts, alleging that the Riddex pest control device did not work as advertised. The plaintiffs claimed that the company relied on false statements in its advertising to encourage consumers to buy the device.

Plaintiff Cathie Colvin claimed that she purchased a Riddex pest control device in 2010 after seeing the product advertised on television and in a local drug store. According to her class action lawsuit, the product was ineffective at repelling cockroaches from her home, even though it was advertised as being effective for this very purpose.

In September 2012, the class action lawsuits were removed to Florida federal court.

The Riddex electronic pest control system was touted as a chemical-free method of eliminating pests from consumers’ homes. Global Concepts claimed that electromagnetic pulses emanating from the device would drive pests out of the home, eliminating the need to use traps or engage in unpleasant clean-up from pests.

“Despite these bold claims about the efficacy of the Riddex devices, they simply do not perform as advertised,” Colvin’s class action lawsuit said. “They do not actually remove the insects or rodents the Riddex devices are purportedly designed to remove. In reality, these devices perform no useful function aside from enriching the purveyors of this device.”

According to the class action lawsuits, this allegedly deceptive marketing violates Florida’s Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act and consumer protection statutes. The plaintiffs also allege breach of warranty based on the purported misstatements related to the effectiveness of the products.

Class Members include anyone in the United States who purchased a Riddex brand electromagnetic pest repelling aid device between Jan. 1, 2006 and Aug. 31, 2013. Under the terms of the class action settlement, Class Members will receive either a refund of the purchase price of the product or a new Riddex device. Global Concepts has also agreed to change its promotional materials, although the company denies any wrongdoing.

Further information about how to file a claim for the Riddex pest control settlement was not immediately available. Keep checking Top Class Actions or sign up for our newsletter below for updates on this class action settlement.

The plaintiffs are represented by Charles J. LaDuca and William H. Anderson of Cuneo Gilbert & Laduca LLP and Jon M. Herskowitz of Baron & Herskowitz LLP.

The Riddex Electronic Pest Control System Class Action Lawsuit is In re: Global Concepts Limited Inc., Case No. 1:12-cv-23064, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.

UPDATE: The deadline to file a claim for the Riddex class action settlement was July 1, 2014. More information can be found at www.riddexclasssettlement.com.

UPDATE 2: Checks for the Riddex class action settlement were mailed on Dec. 17. Congratulations to our viewers who filed claims and got paid!