FTC issuing payments from, accepting claims in settlements

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is sending payments and accepting claims for settlements reached with companies for scams and antitrust violations.

Suboxone FTC settlement 

The FTC is accepting claims for a Suboxone settlement to resolve claims that drug manufacturers conspired together to suppress generic competitors.

According to the FTC, Reckitt Benckiser and Indivior worked together to develop an oral firm version of Suboxone, an opioid withdrawal medication. The companies allegedly released false advertisements that represented this form of Suboxone as safer than the tablet version. 

Meanwhile, Indivior allegedly filed repeated petitions with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to stall and delay the release of generic competitors. As a result, the FTC claims patients had to pay a higher price for Suboxone than they would have in a healthy market. 

In May 2021, the FTC sent over $59 million to consumers affected by the alleged price-fixing scheme. $42 million was distributed in check form while over $16 million was sent as prepaid debit cards. Average payments from this disbursement were $1,139. 

Now, with $500,000 remaining in the Suboxone settlement fund, the FTC is accepting claims for additional payments. Payments are available for individuals who contacted the claims administrator after the original claim deadline and who were put on the waitlist before September 2021. These consumers may submit a claim using the ID number sent to them via email or mail. 

In order to receive a payment, consumers must submit a valid claim form by Nov. 26, 2022.

Additional questions about the settlement and claims process can be directed to JND Legal Administration at 877-545-0238.

Vast Tech FTC payments issued

The FTC sent out additional refunds in a third round of payments from a tech support scam settlement with Vast Tech Support and OMG Tech Help.

The FTC alleges that Vast Tech Support and OMG Tech Help tricked consumers into believing their computers needed repairs or support. This scam allegedly involved high-pressure sales pitches which deceived consumers into purchasing unnecessary tech support products and services.

Vast Tech Support and OMG Tech Help were ordered to pay over $27.2 million, while the companies’ COO Mark Donohue was ordered to pay over $9 million. 

The FTC sent the first round of refund checks in October 2020 and the second round of refunds in August 2021. Together, these refund disbursements totaled $6.8 million.

With money remaining in the fund, the FTC is sending a third round of payments to affected consumers who paid over $539.98 to the defendants and who accepted their first two rounds of payments from the settlement. 

From this round of refunds, 5,045 affected consumers will receive checks and payments of $30.

Consumers who receive an FTC check in the mail should cash it within 90 days. Consumers who receive their FTC refunds as a PayPal payment should accept the payments within 30 days.

Consumers with further questions about these FTC refunds can contact Rust Consulting Inc. at 1-800-865-3878.

Read About More Class Action Lawsuits & Class Action Settlements:

• FTC issues refund checks to victims of fraud, other scams
• Next-Gen sweepstakes scam $30M FTC settlement
• FTC cracks down on medical, location data privacy
• FTC issues refund payments to consumers in September