FTC Sends Nearly $5 Million in Refunds to People who Lost Money to Cramming Scheme (2024)

FAQs

FTC Sends Nearly $5 Million in Refunds to People who Lost Money to Cramming Scheme? ›

The Federal Trade Commission is sending refund checks totaling nearly $5 million to people who lost money to a cramming scheme that added charges to their home phone bills without their permission.

Whenever possible, the FTC uses the money it collects from defendants to provide refunds to injured consumers. If there is any money left in the settlement fund after the first distribution, the FTC may send a second round of payments. The FTC sends money that cannot be distributed to consumers to the U.S. Treasury.

Identifying who is eligible for a refund

FTC court orders typically require the company to provide a list of customers, their contact information, and how much each customer paid. If the agency obtains a reliable list of eligible recipients, then the agency mails checks or sends electronic payments directly to them.

Under the final rule, existing noncompetes for senior executives can remain in force. Employers, however, are prohibited from entering into or enforcing new noncompetes with senior executives. The final rule defines senior executives as workers earning more than $151,164 annually and who are in policy-making positions.

FTC to send nearly $100 million in refunds to customers of Benefytt's fake health plans. The Federal Trade Commission is sending refunds to consumers it says bought into fake health plans falsely marketed by Benefytt Technologies as comprehensive health insurance or an Obamacare plan under the Affordable Care Act.

The FTC will never demand money or personal information from you. The FTC will never threaten to arrest, deport, or punish you. The FTC does not give awards or grants and does not conduct sweepstakes or lotteries. Only scammers will demand that you pay by gift card, cryptocurrency, money transfer, or cash.

In 2020, as a result of the settlement, the company gave a bill credit to current AT&T customers and sent refund checks to former customers, which resulted in $52 million returned to consumers.

Your report is shared with more than 2,800 law enforcers. We can't resolve your individual report, but we use reports to investigate and bring cases against fraud, scams, and bad business practices. Read our Privacy Act statement to learn more about how we collect and use your information.

About the FTC

Our work to protect consumers and promote competition touches the economic life of every American. We are the only federal agency that deals with consumer protection and competition issues in broad sectors of the economy.

What is the FTC 3 day rule? ›

Your right to cancel for a full refund extends until midnight of the third business day after the sale. Certain types of sales can't be canceled, even if they take place in places normally covered by the Rule.

Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act (FTC Act) (15 USC 45) prohibits ''unfair or deceptive acts or practices in or affecting commerce. '' The prohibition applies to all persons engaged in commerce, including banks.

Section 6(f) also authorizes the agency to share confidential information with other appropriate enforcement agencies, subject to appropriate limitations and confidentiality assurances. This allows the FTC and other law enforcers to cooperate and minimize duplication in investigations.

A settlement of $13.5 million has been reached in a class action lawsuit brought by a group of Plaintiffs, William James Griffin, Ashley Lawley, William “Jeff” Cooper, Sandra Wilson and Vicki Needham (“Plaintiffs”), who purchased limited benefit indemnity plans and/or short term medical plans made available by ...

In 1975, Congress gave the FTC the authority to adopt industry-wide trade regulation rules. The FTC will never demand money or personal information from you. If you have been targeted by an illegal business practice or scam, report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Impact Health Sharing was founded by Phil and Angela Chrysler, faith-inspired entrepreneurs, business owners, and charitable activists. They inspire people to achieve personal and financial goals.

ReportFraud.ftc.gov. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Case Summary. The Federal Trade Commission, working jointly with the U.S. Department of Justice, is mailing 1,179,803 refund checks totaling more than $505 million to people who were deceived by a massive payday lending scheme operated by AMG Services, Inc. and Scott A. Tucker.

The term "tax refund" refers to a reimbursem*nt made to a taxpayer for any excess amount paid in taxes to the federal or state government. While taxpayers tend to look at a refund as a bonus or a stroke of luck, it often represents what is essentially an interest-free loan that the taxpayer made to the government.