The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has announced that it will be sending more than $18 million in refunds to consumers who were harmed by misleading claims made by Publishers Clearing House (PCH). This action is part of a settlement in which PCH agreed to pay $18.5 million and implement significant changes to its ecommerce practices.

The FTC's complaint highlighted that PCH specifically targeted older and lower-income consumers, misleading them into believing that they could not enter sweepstakes without making a purchase or that their chances of winning would improve if they bought products. Additionally, PCH was accused of sending deceptive emails with subject lines that made them appear to be official documents, such as tax forms.

Moreover, the complaint pointed out that PCH added misleading shipping and handling fees and falsely advertised that ordering was “risk-free.” In reality, consumers who sought refunds were required to return products at their own expense, contradicting the company's claims.

In total, checks will be sent to 281,724 affected consumers who ordered products from PCH after engaging with the deceptive emails. Recipients are advised to cash their checks within 90 days. For any inquiries regarding the refunds, consumers can reach out to the refund administrator, Rust Consulting, or visit the FTC's website for more information.

The FTC's interactive dashboards provide a detailed state-by-state breakdown of refunds in various cases. In 2024 alone, FTC actions have resulted in over $338 million in refunds to consumers nationwide.