FTC refund payments | August and September 2023

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) sent refund payments to thousands of consumers in August and September, providing compensation from five settlements over deceptive or illegal actions.

American Financial Benefits Center FTC refunds

The FTC is sending out $9 million in refund checks to 22,562 consumers who paid American Financial Benefits Center after being duped by a student loan debt-relief scheme.

According to the FTC and the Department of Justice, American Financial Benefits and scheme operator Brandon Frere duped consumers into thinking the program was affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education and could help pay off federal student loans. The scam allegedly charged up to $800 in illegal upfront fees and continued to charge monthly fees of between $45 and $99. Despite collecting these funds, the American Financial Benefits Center allegedly failed to deliver on its promises for debt relief.

Using the money recovered from its settlement with American Financial Benefits Center and Frere, the FTC sent checks to 22,562 consumers in August 2023. The checks sent totaled over $9 million. 

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

Further questions about these refunds can be directed to Rust Consulting at 1-833-579-3126.

LifeLock data security FTC refund payments

The FTC is sending a fourth round of payments to LifeLock customers who were members of the company between 2012 and 2014.

A lawsuit from the FTC claimed that LifeLock failed to establish an information security program for its customers, despite advertising that it protected consumer data with sophisticated safeguards. The FTC also accused LifeLock of falsely promising to provide 24/7/365 alerts for identity theft indicators.

The FTC sent initial refund checks to eligible consumers in October 2019. The agency sent additional PayPal payments in August 2021 and January 2023. Between these three distributions, the FTC awarded $28.5 million to consumers. Now the FTC is sending an additional round of PayPal payments to 159,146 people, totaling over $2.3 million. Consumers will receive an additional refund payment if they previously accepted a PayPal payment from the FTC refund.

Individuals who receive a PayPal payment should accept it within 30 days.

Further questions about these refunds can be directed to Rust Consulting at 1-866-898-5106.

Kushly CBD products FTC refunds

The FTC is sending a second round of 253 refund payments to consumers who purchased CBD products from Kushly. 

The FTC claims that Kushly falsely advertised its CBD products as able to treat or cure various medical conditions such as acne, psoriasis, cancer and multiple sclerosis. These claims allegedly caused consumers to purchase the products or pay more for them than they otherwise would have.

In August 2022, the FTC sent the initial round of payments to Kushly purchasers. Now, with residual settlement funds, the FTC is sending a second round of payments to 253 consumers who crashed their first check.

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

Further questions about these refunds can be directed to Analytics Consulting at 866-461-4332.

Western Union scams FTC refunds

The Justice Department is partnering with the FTC to send nearly $40 million in refund payments to consumers who were affected by Western Union wire transfer scams.

Scammers allegedly contacted consumers and promised them prizes, loans, jobs or other benefits in exchange for wire transfers through Western Union. Other criminals reportedly posed as family members, government officials or law enforcement officers in order to leverage payments from scam victims.

Western Union agreed to pay $586 million to the FTC, Justice Department and U.S. Postal Inspection Service to resolve the investigations against it. The Justice Department sent three previous rounds of checks in March 2020, September 2020 and June 2021, totaling over $365 million. Now, with remaining funds, the Justice Department is accepting claims for a fourth round of checks worth $40 million in total.

In order to receive a refund, consumers who sent money to a scammer through Western Union between Jan. 1, 2004, and Jan. 19, 2017, and who have not yet submitted a claim can submit a claim with the refund administrator to receive a payment.

Further questions about these refunds can be directed to Gilardi & Co. LLC at 855-786-1048.

Lifewatch deceptive telemarketing FTC refunds

The FTC is sending a second round of payments to consumers who paid for Lifewatch home medical alert devices that were supposed to be free.

Lifewatch allegedly contacted millions of consumers with robocalls promising “free” medical alert systems. However, despite promising consumers they could receive the systems “at no cost whatsoever,” Lifewatch allegedly forced them to pay monthly monitoring fees and charged penalties for cancellations. 

The FTC sent an initial round of checks in December 2021, returning $669,195 to consumers. Now the agency is sending a second round of checks to 27,809 people who cashed their first check. These payments total over $1.04 million.

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

Further questions about these refunds can be directed to Analytics Consulting at 866-484-1466.

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