FTC Returns More Than $3.7 Million to People Harmed by Pyramid Scheme

The Federal Trade Commission is mailing 285,361 checks totaling more than $3.7 million to people who lost money to Fortune Hi-Tech Marketing (FHTM), a pyramid scheme whose operators were banned from multi-level marketing under a settlement with the FTC and the states of Illinois, Kentucky and North Carolina.

Recipients should deposit or cash checks within 60 days. It is possible that the FTC will have additional funds to distribute in the future, after lawsuits filed against FHTM’s highest earning sales representatives have been resolved.

The FTC never requires people to pay money or provide account information to cash refund checks. If you have questions about the case, contact the FTC’s refund administrator, Epiq Systems, Inc., at 800-964-0978. Learn more about the FTC’s refund program.

The Federal Trade Commission works to promote competition, and protect and educate consumers. You can learn more about consumer topics and file a consumer complaint online or by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357). Like the FTC on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, read our blogs and subscribe to press releases for the latest FTC news and resources.

IR Press

Recent Posts

Treasury Targets Sanctions Evaders Supporting Key Hizballah Financial Advisor

WASHINGTON — Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC)…

1 day ago

Acting Senior Deputy Comptroller and Chief Counsel Testifies on Bank Mergers

WASHINGTON—Acting Senior Deputy Comptroller and Chief Counsel Ted Dowd today testified on the Office of…

2 days ago

Minutes of the Meeting of the Treasury Borrowing Advisory Committee April 30, 2024

The Committee convened in a closed session at the Department of the Treasury at 9:00…

2 days ago

U.S. Continues to Degrade Russia’s Military-Industrial Base and Target Third-Country Support with Nearly 300 New Sanctions

WASHINGTON — Today, the Department of the Treasury is taking action to further degrade Russia’s…

2 days ago

Report on Foreign Portfolio Holdings of U.S. Securities at End-June 2023

WASHINGTON – The final results from the annual survey of foreign portfolio holdings of U.S. securities at…

3 days ago