Lina M. Khan is Chair of the Federal Trade Commission | Official Website
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is distributing over $960,000 in refunds to consumers who were misled by a job scheme known as "The Sales Mentor." According to the FTC, this scheme falsely promised substantial earnings from telemarketing sales.
In December 2023, the FTC filed a lawsuit against those responsible for the scheme. The complaint accused them of deceiving consumers into paying large sums for telemarketing training programs that seldom delivered on their promises. Despite receiving the FTC's Notices of Penalty Offenses regarding Money-Making Opportunities and Endorsements and Testimonials, which warned them about illegal conduct, the defendants allegedly continued making deceptive earnings claims.
The defendants agreed to a settlement prohibiting misleading or unsubstantiated earnings claims and any misrepresentation in selling goods or services. They also agreed to compensate affected consumers financially.
Refunds are being sent via PayPal to 8,174 consumers, who should redeem their payments within 30 days. Consumers with questions about their payment can contact JND Legal Administration at 877-930-1733 or visit the FTC website for more information on the refund process. The FTC emphasizes that it never requires individuals to pay money or provide account information to receive a refund.
The Commission's interactive dashboards offer a state-by-state breakdown of refunds in FTC cases. In 2023 alone, FTC actions resulted in $330 million in refunds nationwide.
The Federal Trade Commission aims to promote competition while protecting and educating consumers. It assures that it will never demand money, make threats, request money transfers, or promise prizes. For more consumer-related topics, visit consumer.ftc.gov or report fraud at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Stay informed by following the FTC on social media and subscribing to alerts for news updates.
