FTC Refunds | September 2024

By Brigette Honaker | October 7, 2024

Category: Legal News

An excited man holding U.S. cash, representing FTC refunds. — (Photo Credit: Dean Drobot/Shutterstock)

In September, the FTC sent out millions in FTC refunds to consumers harmed by questionable business practices and other misconduct.

Vitagene FTC refunds

The FTC sent more than $49,500 in refunds to consumers who purchased test kits or health reports from Vitagene.

According to the FTC, Vitagene failed to store consumer information in a secure environment, which left customer health and genetic information unprotected. This allegedly violated the company’s promise to protect customer data.

Vitagene agreed to pay money as part of a settlement to resolve the FTC lawsuit. The company also agreed to change the way it obtains consent and stores consumer data. Using money from this settlement, the FTC sent more than $49,500 to 2,432 Vitagene customers who purchased either DNA test kits or health reports.

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

Consumers can direct additional questions about these refunds to Simpluris at 888-427-9238.

BetterHelp FTC refunds

After sending out refunds in June, the FTC is now attempting to send additional payments to consumers who did not accept their first payments.

The FTC filed a lawsuit against BetterHelp claiming the online therapy service shared user information collected on its various websites. The company allegedly shared this information with Facebook, Snapchat, Pinterest and Criteo for advertising purposes.

BetterHelp agreed to pay $7.8 million to resolve the FTC’s lawsuit. The FTC used these funds to send refund payments to eligible consumers in June 2024. However, the commission is now attempting to contact consumers who did not accept or cash their first payment.

Consumers who received an email asking them to choose a payment method must submit a payment selection form by Oct. 11, 2024.

Consumers can direct additional questions about these refunds to the refund administrator at 833-637-4774.

Brookstone Law FTC refunds

The FTC sent a second round of payments to homeowners harmed by Brookstone Law’s alleged mortgage relief scam.

According to the FTC, Brookstone Law and Advantis Law operated a bogus mortgage relief scam that promised to save consumers from foreclosure and provide other relief through lawsuits. Despite paying for “legal analysis,” the law firms allegedly never filed and won the lawsuits as promised.

The FTC sent the first round of payments in June 2022 and returned over $118,000 to affected homeowners. Now, with remaining funds, the FTC returned more than $18,000 to 1,563 individuals who accepted their first refund payment.

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

Consumers can direct additional questions about these refunds to JND Legal Administration at 855-606-0653.

FloatMe FTC refunds

The FTC sent more than $2.6 million in FTC refunds to consumers who paid FloatMe for misleading cash advances.

The FTC claimed FloatMe promised to provide customers with quick and free cash advances. In reality, the company allegedly provided less than promised and made consumers pay a fee for instant access.

The FTC sent PayPal payments to 449,344 consumers allegedly harmed by FloatMe’s conduct. These refunds totaled more than $2.6 million.

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

Consumers can direct additional questions about these refunds to Rust Consulting Inc. at 833-637-4344.

Student Advocates FTC refunds

The FTC sent a second round of payments to consumers who accepted their first refunds regarding Student Advocates and Equitable Acceptance Corporation’s alleged student debt relief schemes.

According to the FTC, Student Advocates and Equitable Acceptance Corporation charged illegal upfront fees for student loan debt relief. Despite their promises, the companies allegedly failed to help borrowers wipe out their student loans or reduce monthly payments.

The FTC returned more than $671,000 in refunds to consumers in August 2022, but funds remained in the settlement after these refunds. Using these funds, the FTC sent a second round of payments totaling more than $107,000. Consumers were eligible for these refunds if they accepted their first payment and paid more than $1,716 to Student Advocates.

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

Consumers can direct additional questions about these refunds to JND Legal Administration at 877-540-0989.

CafePress FTC refunds

The FTC returned more than $370,000 to consumers whose Social Security numbers were exposed in a CafePress data breach.

The FTC claimed CafePress failed to implement reasonable cybersecurity measures that could have protected consumers from a data breach that compromised Social Security numbers. After the breach, the company also failed to share critical information with affected consumers, the FTC alleged.

The FTC recently sent more than $370,000 to 20,044 consumers who were affected by the data breach and filed a claim before the deadline.

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

Consumers can direct additional questions about these refunds to Rust Consulting Inc. at 833-415-2795.

Apex Capital Group FTC refunds

Consumers who were charged for “free trials” from certain retailers will receive FTC refunds totaling more than $2.8 million.

According to the FTC, Apex Capital Group advertised free trial offers for supplements, such as Authentic Yacon, Original Garcinia, Dermanique and NeuroXR. Despite these promises, Apex allegedly billed consumers for the full product prices and enrolled them in monthly subscriptions.

The FTC sent more than $2.8 million in payments to 153,940 customers who were charged for the Apex Capital supplements after being promised a free trial.

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

Consumers can direct additional questions about these refunds to Analytics Consulting LLC at 844-541-3531.