The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has announced a refund claims process for users of the anonymous messaging app NGL who were charged for subscriptions without their consent. This initiative follows a complaint filed in July 2024 by the FTC and the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office, which accused NGL and its co-founders of engaging in deceptive marketing practices.

According to the allegations, NGL misled users, particularly children and teens, by sending fake messages that appeared to come from real individuals. This tactic was designed to trick users into subscribing to NGL Pro, falsely claiming that it would reveal the identities of message senders. Additionally, the company failed to obtain proper consent for recurring charges.

The settlement reached with the agencies prohibits NGL from marketing its services to individuals under 18 and mandates a payment of $4.5 million to refund affected users. The FTC is utilizing these funds to facilitate the refund process for eligible consumers.

To qualify for a refund, consumers must have paid for NGL Pro between January 2022 and July 2024 and experienced unauthorized charges. Individuals must be at least 18 years old to submit a claim, while those under 18 require parental or guardian assistance. The claims period is open until April 6, 2026, and consumers can submit their claims online at the FTC's website.