INDIANAPOLIS — The Federal Trade Commission is mailing nearly 1,200 checks totaling more than $380,000 to people who paid for business coaching services that were marketed as a way to help them earn thousands of dollars a month.
The FTC tells Call 6 Investigates that at least 20 Hoosiers will receive the checks in the first round of refunds.
The refunds stem from an FTC settlement in which the commission alleged companies bilked consumers trying to start online businesses from home.
One settlement imposed an $8.4 million judgment against Vision Solution Marketing LLC, Jared Rodabaugh and Ryze Services, LLC.
According to the FTC, the companies bought contact information for people who were interested in starting an online business and marketed aggressively to them.
The companies then promised consumers that they could make thousands of dollars a month online if they bought business coaching and related services, which often cost over $10,000, records show.
Most people who bought the services did not develop an operational business, earned little or no money, and often ended up in debt, according to the FTC’s complaint.
Consumers who bought these programs were targeted with more sales calls encouraging them to get help by applying for numerous personal credit cards, records show.
Indiana consumers who have questions about the refunds should contact the FTC’s refund administrator, Rust Consulting, Inc., at 1-877-456-1189.
