Markets Wired

The Federal Trade Commission is mailing 227,995 checks totaling more than $6 million to consumers who purchased health products from three individuals and the 19 companies they controlled—collectively known as Tarr, Inc. Affected consumers will receive their refund checks, which average $26.57, soon.

According to the FTC’s complaint, filed in November 2017, Tarr, Inc. used a vast network of online marketers to sell more than 40 different products mostly advertised as promoting weight loss, muscle building, or wrinkle-reduction. The FTC alleged that the defendants used unsupported claims, fake magazine and news sites, bogus celebrity endorsements, and phony consumer testimonials to market their products.

The FTC also alleged that the defendants used deceptive offers of “free” and “risk-free” trials, and automatically enrolled people without their consent in programs that charged them for additional products each month.

The settlement prohibits the defendants from using the deceptive marketing tactics alleged in the FTC’s complaint and imposed a suspended monetary judgment that required them to pay $6.4 million to the FTC to provide refunds.

Recipients should deposit or cash checks within 60 days, as indicated on the check. The FTC never requires consumers to pay money or provide account information to cash a refund check.

Consumers with questions about these refunds should contact the FTC’s refund administrator, Epiq, at 877-861-1501. More information about the FTC’s refund program is available at ftc.gov/refunds.

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.