The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has been busy sending out refunds to consumers impacted by deceptive business practices. These payments are part of settlements made to resolve various claims, offering relief to thousands of people across the country. If you’ve been affected, here’s everything you need to know about the latest FTC refunds.
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1. NutraClick Refunds: Getting Back Money for Unwanted Memberships
In March, the FTC issued refund checks to consumers who were charged by NutraClick, a health and wellness company, for unwanted memberships. This follows a 2016 settlement aimed at ending claims that NutraClick automatically enrolled customers in membership programs without proper consent.
In 2020, the FTC filed additional complaints against the company, accusing it of misleading consumers about when they needed to cancel memberships to avoid ongoing charges.
➡️ Action Required: If you receive a check, cash it within 60 days.
2. Pointbreak Media Refunds: A Second Chance for Small Business Owners
The FTC reissued refund checks to small business owners defrauded by deceptive robocalls from companies posing as Google representatives. These scammers operated under names like Pointbreak Media, Modern Spotlight, National Business Listings, and Modern Source Media, threatening to remove businesses from Google search results unless a fee was paid.
Earlier payments totaled over $1.8 million, and this new round aims to reach those who didn’t cash their first checks.
➡️ Action Required: Cash your check within 60 days.
3. Vroom Refunds: Compensation for Delayed Car Deliveries
More than $934,000 in refunds were sent to over 20,000 consumers who purchased vehicles from the online car dealer Vroom. This settlement addresses claims that Vroom failed to deliver cars within the promised 14-day window and didn’t allow customers to cancel purchases or reschedule deliveries easily.
➡️ Action Required: Cash your refund within 90 days.
4. Response Marketing Refunds: Over $8.3 Million Returned to Consumers
The FTC sent 3,955 refunds totaling over $8.3 million to individuals who paid for deceptive real estate investment training through Response Marketing. This follows a previous round of refunds issued in March 2024.
➡️ Action Required:
- Check recipients: Cash your check within 90 days.
- PayPal recipients: Accept payments within 30 days.
5. Career Step Refunds: Millions Back to Misled Students
Nearly 43,000 consumers received over $15.5 million from Career Step, an online career-training company. The refunds are part of a settlement addressing false claims about job placements, externships, and hiring partnerships.
➡️ Action Required:
- Check recipients: Cash your check within 90 days.
- PayPal recipients: Accept payments within 30 days.
6. Vitagene Refunds: Making Up for Data Privacy Breaches
The FTC sent PayPal payments to consumers who purchased DNA test kits or health reports from Vitagene, which failed to secure sensitive health data. These refunds are for individuals who didn’t cash previous checks sent in September 2024.
➡️ Action Required: Accept your PayPal payment within 30 days.
7. Restoro & Reimage Refunds: Over $25.5 Million for Misleading Tech Support
Consumers who bought computer repair services from Restoro and Reimage received over $25.5 million in refunds. The companies misled consumers with false virus warnings to sell unnecessary services.
➡️ Action Required: PayPal recipients should accept payments within 30 days.
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8. Pure Green Coffee Refunds: Cash Back for Deceptive Weight Loss Claims
The FTC sent over $905,000 to nearly 40,000 consumers who purchased Pure Green Coffee pills, a product marketed with false weight loss claims.
➡️ Action Required:
- Check recipients: Cash your check within 90 days.
- PayPal recipients: Accept payments within 30 days.
9. Arete Financial Refunds: Recovering Funds from Student Debt Relief Scams
The FTC is sending a second round of refunds to consumers who paid Arete Financial Group for student debt relief services that were simply false promises. Over $550,000 in new payments were issued to those who accepted the first round of refunds and paid more than $750.
➡️ Action Required: Cash your check within 90 days.
✅ How to Check If You’re Eligible
If you believe you were affected, check your mail carefully for refund checks or PayPal payment notifications. Also, consider visiting the FTC website for updates or to see if you qualify for any unclaimed refunds.