FTC issues refund payments to consumers in September

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The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) sent refund payments to consumers last month after reaching settlements with several companies.

Synovia FTC refund payments — second distribution 

The FTC is sending a second round of checks to consumers who purchased Synovia joint supplements.

According to the FTC, A.S. Research deceptively marketed its Synovia supplements with false testimonials and misleading health claims. Consumers were allegedly deceived by these representations and duped into paying for the supplements. 

The FTC also challenged A.S. Research’s practice of charging more for a “better” version of the supplements when, in reality, all consumers received the same products.

The FTC sent out the first round of checks to refund Synovia purchasers in December 2020. With remaining funds, the FTC is sending a second round of checks to consumers who cashed their first check and who paid $120 or more for Synovia products.

Consumers who receive a refund check should cash it within 90 days.

Additional questions can be directed to JND Legal Administration at 1-833-707-1185.

Health Formulas, Simple Pure Nutrition refunds

Consumers could receive checks from a third round of refunds if they purchased “fat burning” or “weight loss” products from several companies.

Health Formulas LLC, Simple Pure Nutrition and other companies reportedly sold “fat burning” and “weight loss” supplements, DVDs and skin creams. According to the FTC, the companies advertised “free trials” to customers for these products. However, consumers who participated in the free trials were allegedly enrolled in costly membership programs without permission.

The first round of checks was sent in October 2017 and the second round of checks was sent in December 2018. Together, these refunds totaled over $9.2 million. The FTC is now mailing 7,782 checks totaling over $375,000 to consumers who cashed their previous checks and paid over $500 to the defendants.

Those who receive a refund check should cash it within 90 days.

Additional questions can be directed to Epiq Systems at 1-800-690-2366.

Equifax data breach settlement open for claims

The FTC is currently receiving claims for an Equifax data breach settlement.

In September 2017, Equifax announced it had been the victim of a data breach. The breach exposed the private information of 147 million people. 

Since then, Equifax agreed to pay $425 million to resolve allegations from the FTC, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and 50 U.S. states and territories. 

Under the terms of the settlement, affected consumers can receive reimbursement for monetary losses, lost time, professional fees and other expenses resulting from the data breach. In order to receive these benefits, consumers must submit a claim by Jan. 22, 2024. The settlement administrator in the case is currently reviewing claims for time spent and out-of-pocket losses.

The settlement administrator may contact claimants via email for more information about their claims or to offer additional payment options.

Additional questions can be directed to JND Legal Administration at 1-833-759-2982

Tate’s Auto refunds

The FTC is sending over 3,500 payments to consumers who financed a vehicle from Tate’s Auto and later had their vehicle repossessed.

According to the FTC, Tate’s Auto lied about customer income and down payment amounts when facilitating loans from lenders. As a result, drivers were allegedly saddled with loans they couldn’t pay for. The FTC secured a settlement to resolve these claims and to put a permanent end to Tate’s Auto business operations.

The FTC is sending out refunds to 3,508 individuals affected by Tate’s Auto business wrongdoing. These refunds total more than $415,000.

Those who receive a refund check should cash it within 90 days. Consumers who receive a PayPal payment should accept it within 30 days.

Additional questions can be directed to JND Legal Administration at 888-964-0009.

Position Gurus FTC refund payments

Consumers who purchased internet-based marketing products from Position Gurus or Top Shelf Ecommerce could receive a second FTC refund check.

Position Gurus LLC and Top Shelf Ecommerce LLC allegedly offered misleading marketing services to consumers who wanted to start an online retail business. The companies falsely promised customers their marketing products would help attract customers and increase earnings, the FTC contends.

The first round of checks in the settlement was sent in August 2021 and totaled more than $1.3 million. Now, with remaining settlement funds, the FTC is sending a second round of checks to consumers who cashed their first check and paid more than $3,000 for marketing services from the defendants.

Consumers who receive a refund check should cash it within 90 days.

Additional questions can be directed to JND Legal Administration at 888-906-0551.

Educare Centre Services refunds — second distribution

The FTC is sending out a second round of refund checks to consumers who lost money to a debt-relief scheme by Educare Centre Services.

According to the FTC, Educare Centre Services, its payment processor and its Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone provider promised to lower interest rates on credit cards. Instead, the company allegedly charged upfront fees for debt-relief services, in violation of federal regulations. 

In addition, the companies allegedly promised 100% money back guarantees to consumers but failed to deliver refunds.

The first round of checks, which totaled over $1.7 million, was sent by the FTC in July 2021. The FTC is now sending a second round of checks to individuals who cashed their first check and who paid over $425 to Educare Centre Services.

Consumers who receive a refund check should cash it within 90 days.

Additional questions can be directed to JND Legal Administration at 833-916-3597.

I Works refunds

A second round of FTC refund checks is available to consumers who were duped by false schemes from I Works.

I Works allegedly operated multiple campaigns which falsely advertised federal grants for personal use and money-making products. According to the FTC, when consumers provided their payment information for shipping and handling, I Works charged a one time fee of up to $129.95. Later, the company allegedly charged monthly fees of $59.95 without consumer consent.

The first round of settlement checks was sent in May 2020 and totaled over $8.4 million. The FTC later recovered additional funds from I Works and is now sending second round of checks to affected consumers.

Those who receive a refund check should cash it within 90 days. Consumers who receive a PayPal payment should accept it within 30 days.

Additional questions can be directed to JND Legal Administration at 888-304-0228.

Hubble contacts refunds

Over $1.9 million in refund checks are being sent to consumers who purchased Hubble contact lenses from Vision Path.

According to the FTC, Vision Path violated the Contact Lens Rule when it replaced prescribed brand contacts with Hubble brand lenses. In addition, the company allegedly failed to properly verify prescription information. The FTC maintained consumers were misled and financially injured by this conduct.

Hubble agreed to pay $3.5 million to resolve these allegations from the FTC. Now, $1.9 million in refund checks are being sent to 30,172 people across the country. 

Consumers who receive a refund check should cash it within 90 days.

Additional questions can be directed to Epiq Systems at 855-914-4722.

Read About More Class Action Lawsuits & Class Action Settlements:

• FTC issuing refunds to consumers affected by fraud
• 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