More FTC action. Where the heck is the SEC?
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FTC to Provide Refunds to Victims of Tech Support Scam
For Release
January 30, 2018
Tags:
Technology Bureau of Consumer Protection Consumer Protection Advertising and Marketing Online Advertising and Marketing Telemarketing
Help Desk National Refunds - $668K in total refunds, 3,791 refunds and $176 average refund. Go to ftc.gov/refunds for more information.The Federal Trade Commission is mailing refund checks totaling more than $668,000 to victims of a tech support scam that claimed to be associated with major tech companies to trick people into buying tech support services.
In May 2017, the FTC and the state of Florida announced settlements with the operators of the tech support scam: Big Dog Solutions LLC, also doing business as Help Desk National and Help Desk Global, and related defendants. As part of the settlements, the defendants are banned from providing tech support products or services and are prohibited from deceptive telemarketing practices. They also agreed to turn over financial assets to the FTC.
The FTC will be sending 3,791 checks averaging about $176 to victims of the tech support scam operated by the defendants. The checks will expire after 60 days. These are legitimate checks, and the FTC urges people to cash them before they expire. The FTC never requires consumers to pay money or provide account information to cash a refund check.
Consumers who have questions about the refunds should contact Rust Consulting, Inc., at 1-877-309-1959.
FTC law enforcement actions led to more than $6.4 billion in refunds for consumers in a one-year period between July 2016 and June 2017. To learn more about the FTC’s refund program, visit www.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 (link is external), follow us on Twitter (link is external), read our blogs and subscribe to press releases for the latest FTC news and resources.
Press Release Reference:
FTC and Florida Charge Tech Support Operation with Tricking Consumers Into Paying Millions for Bogus Services
FTC and Federal, State and International Partners Announce Major Crackdown on Tech Support Scams
Contact Information
MEDIA CONTACT:
Juliana Gruenwald Henderson (link sends e-mail)
Office of Public Affairs
202-326-2924
CONSUMER CONTACT:
Consumer Redress Hotline
1-855-719-1931
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