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An administrator working for the Federal Trade Commission is mailing 509,175 checks to consumers who bought toning shoes from Skechers USA, Inc. that the company promoted through allegedly deceptive advertisements.

The checks must be cashed on or before October 10, 2013.  The amount consumers will receive is based on the portion of their claims that was approved. The deadline for filing a refund request has expired.

As part of its efforts to stem overhyped health claims, last year the FTC alleged that Skechers deceptively advertised its toning shoes, including making unfounded claims that its Shape-ups shoes would help people lose weight, and strengthen and tone their buttocks, legs and abdominal muscles.  Besides Shape-ups, the FTC alleged that Skechers also made deceptive claims about its Resistance Runner, Toners, and Tone-ups shoes.   

Under the terms of the FTC settlement, the funds were distributed through a court-approved class action lawsuit.  BMC Group, the court approved settlement administrator, will begin mailing checks on July 12, 2013 to eligible consumers who submitted a valid claim for a refund.

The FTC never requires consumers to pay money or provide information before redress checks can be cashed. 

Consumers should carefully evaluate advertising claims for work-out gear and exercise equipment.   For more information see: Tips for Buying Exercise Equipment.

The Federal Trade Commission works for consumers to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices and to provide information to help spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint in English or Spanish, visit the FTC’s online Complaint Assistant or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357). The FTC enters complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to more than 2,000 civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad. The FTC’s website provides free information on a variety of consumer topics. Like the FTC on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and subscribe to press releases for the latest FTC news and resources.