FTC refunds | October and November 2023

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued refunds in October and November to consumers who experienced fraud or paid unlawful fees.

T-Mobile FTC refunds

In October, the FTC sent digital refund payments to T-Mobile customers who were charged third-party fees on their monthly bills.

According to the FTC, T-Mobile allowed third-party companies to add charges to customer phone bills without their consent. These fees were typically around $9.99 per month, the FTC reports.

T-Mobile agreed to provide at least $90 million for consumer refunds, but its own refund program in June 2015 failed to distribute this amount. As a result, T-Mobile paid the FTC, which sent checks to consumers in February 2017 and July 2021. These two distributions returned over $24 million to consumers. Now, the FTC is distributing the remaining funds as PayPal payments to consumers who did not cash their checks.

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

Additional questions about these refunds can be directed to Epiq Systems at 1-844-746-4695.

Vonage FTC refunds

The FTC sent more than $99.4 million in refunds to 389,106 consumers in October, compensating them for unlawful cancellation fees incurred while canceling Vonage accounts.

The FTC claims Vonage made it easy for prospective customers to sign up for its phone plans but made the cancellation process costly and difficult. According to the FTC, consumers had to contact Vonage multiple times and listen to endless sales pitches before they were allowed to cancel. Even then, consumers allegedly had unexpected fees or additional charges added to their accounts upon cancellations. 

Now, the FTC is sending $99.4 million in refunds to 389,106 former Vonage customers to compensate them for the cancellation fees they were charged. The FTC settlement also required Vonage to make it easier to cancel their accounts.

Individuals 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 about these refunds can be directed to Epiq Systems at 1-877-525-4728.

Mile High Madison Group FTC refund payments

As part of an ongoing settlement, 11,527 customers who purchased certain supplements marketed by Mile High Madison Group may receive $133,000 in refunds from the FTC.

According to the FTC, Mile High Madison Group used false and unproven claims when marketing Neurocet, Regenify and Resetigen-D supplements. The marketing group allegedly used direct-mail campaigns to claim that these supplements could treat age-related ailments and eliminate pain.

The FTC sent two rounds of refund checks totaling over $854,000 in October 2021 and December 2022. With the remaining funds, the FTC is sending $133,000 in additional refunds to 11,527 consumers who paid more than $380 to the defendants and cashed their first payments. 

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

Additional questions about these refunds can be directed to Rust Consulting Inc. at 866-216-0252.

Consumer Health Benefits Association FTC refunds

The FTC is sending almost $7 million in refunds to 47,166 people who paid for deceptive medical discount plans through the Consumer Health Benefits Association (CHBA).

A lawsuit from the FTC claims that CHBA sold misleading medical discount plans that were intentionally made to seem like health insurance plans. CHBA allegedly claimed that these plans were widely accepted and could provide the same cost savings as traditional, legitimate insurance plans. The company also made it difficult for consumers to cancel their plans or seek refunds, the FTC alleges.

As part of a settlement with CHBA, the FTC is sending 47,166 consumers nearly $7 million to compensate them for the deceptive medical discount plans.

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

Additional questions about these refunds can be directed to Epiq Systems at 1-888-350-1458.

NTS IT Care FTC refund payments

Consumers could receive a refund payment from the FTC if they provided victim statements after losing money to NTS IT Care, a tech support scheme.

According to the FTC, NTS IT Care and founder Jagmeet Singh Virk tricked customers into purchasing expensive tech support products that provided no real support. Advertisements for the tech support scheme allegedly used pop-up messages that appeared to be genuine, urgent security alerts from Microsoft, Apple or other legitimate companies. Consumers were encouraged to call a toll-free number and then tricked into paying high prices for unnecessary services, the FTC claims.

The defendants in the case were ordered to pay the FTC for consumer refunds. Now, the FTC is returning full refunds to consumers who provided victim statements regarding NTS IT Care.

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

Additional questions about these refunds can be directed to Analytics Consulting LLC at 1-866-441-9746.

Ed Napleton Automotive Group FTC refunds

The FTC is sending a second round of payments totaling over $857,000 to 37,304 consumers who were charged junk fees and affected by discriminatory practices when buying vehicles from Ed Napleton Automotive Group.

A lawsuit from the FTC and the state of Illinois accused Ed Napleton Automotive Group of charging illegal junk fees and charging consumers for paint protection, gap insurance, extended warranties and other products they did not want. Napleton Auto was also accused of discriminating against Black customers by charging them higher prices when financing vehicles.

Napleton Auto agreed to pay $10 million to settle the FTC lawsuit. The FTC sent over $8.8 million in refunds in an initial round of payment in November 2022. Now, with the remaining funds, the FTC is sending a second round of refunds to 37,304 consumers who paid more than $1,662 in add-on fees and who accepted their first payments. This second round of refunds totals over $857,000.

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

Additional questions about these refunds can be directed to Epiq Systems at 888-691-6050.

HomeAdvisor FTC refunds

The FTC is sending refunds and accepting claims in connection with HomeAdvisor memberships.

According to the FTC, HomeAdvisor misled consumers about the quality and source of the leads it provided to home service providers. These false claims allegedly allowed HomeAdvisor to sell memberships and rake in cash from deceived businesses. In addition to using false claims, HomeAdvisor allegedly promised that mHelpDesk, an optional membership service, would be free for one month when they purchased an annual HomeAdvisor membership. In reality, the company allegedly charged an additional $59.99 for the first month.

The FTC is sending more than $3 million in refunds to 110,372 businesses who paid for HomeAdvisor memberships and is accepting refund claims from 91,273 businesses who paid for mHelpDesk subscriptions. The agency sent claim forms to eligible businesses.

In order to receive a mHelpDesk FTC refund, consumers should submit a claim form by Feb. 26, 2024. Individuals who receive a HomeAdvisor refund check should cash it within 90 days.

Additional questions about these refunds can be directed to HomeAdvisor at 1-833-915-1144.

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