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If you took out an online payday loan from a company affiliated with AMG Services, you may be getting a check in the mail from the FTC. The $505 million the FTC is returning to consumers makes this the largest refund program the agency has ever administered.

The FTC sued AMG and Scott A. Tucker for deceptive payday lending. When consumers took out loans, AMG said they would charge a one-time finance fee. Instead, AMG made multiple illegal withdrawals from peoples’ bank accounts and charged hidden fees. As a result, people paid far more for the loans than they had agreed to.

In 2016 the FTC won a court case against AMG and Scott Tucker. Then in 2017, a jury convicted Tucker and his attorney of crimes related to the lending scheme. The FTC and Department of Justice are using money obtained in both court actions to give refunds to consumers.

Here are answers to questions about AMG refunds.

Who will get a refund? Checks are being sent to consumers who took out loans between January 2008 and January 2013 from these AMG-related companies: 500FastCash, Advantage Cash Services, Ameriloan, OneClickCash, Star Cash Processing, UnitedCashLoans, and USFastCash.

How many people will get refunds? More than 1.1 million people will get refunds.

How does the FTC know who to send the checks to? The FTC and a refund administrator have used AMG’s business records to identify eligible consumers and calculate their refunds.

I’m eligible for a refund. What do I need to do? If you borrowed from one of the lenders listed above between January 2008 and January 2013, you don’t need to do anything. The checks are being mailed to eligible consumers automatically. There is no application process. If you borrowed from one of those lenders before January 2008, please call 1-866-730-8147.

How can I get more information? Visit the FTC’s AMG refund page or call 1-866-730-8147.

Three tips from the FTC:

  1. If you get a check, deposit or cash it within 60 days.
  2. The FTC never asks people to pay money or give information to cash refund checks. If someone asks you to pay to get a refund from the FTC, it’s a scam.
  3. The FTC has advice if you’re thinking about a payday loan or an online payday loan.
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Jackie196602
September 27, 2018
When will we be getting these checks?
AnonymousOne
October 01, 2018

In reply to by Mouse1958

I am wondering the same thing. I got a check in the mail today.
verysure7152
October 01, 2018

In reply to by Mouse1958

I received a check today. I almost threw it away because I thought it was junk mail!!
Concerned
October 11, 2018

In reply to by Sweetadmin

Went to bank today! They know about checks they deposit and if you want they will put a five day hold. I opted for five day hold to make sure funds are available! So yes if it clears I will let you know!
DD
October 13, 2018

In reply to by Will

I mobile deposit mine last oct. 2 and it cleared today. REAL
Ritchie
October 15, 2018

In reply to by Will

Yes. It is real. I received mine and went to my bank. I bank with chase. I told them that I wasn't sure if it was legitimate, so they cashed it instead of depositing it. They said it was absolutely legit.
Walkingtall
October 19, 2018

In reply to by Will

My check was real! Run your check through a copy machine. The word VOID will appear on the copy.
WorriedinVa
October 15, 2018

In reply to by Concerned

I deposited mine on Oct 4th . bank put 11 day hold. I live in small town so deposited it in my account. How can I check see if it clears?
Stotheb23
October 01, 2018

In reply to by Mouse1958

Yes, I received my check today..$395.77 a nice surprise!!! Good luck!!
Ray
October 05, 2018

In reply to by Tai

You do nothing, just wait for a check
fisherfool
October 04, 2018

In reply to by Stotheb23

I received one on October 1st too. I thought the same thing I kept reading the letter I got 1,193.33. Nice surprise, just like you. I had no idea.
DAVUSN
October 04, 2018

In reply to by Stotheb23

Got mine a few days ago, $967.00 what a surprise!
hometownhunter
October 01, 2018

In reply to by Mouse1958

I am wondering if its legit too, before I deposit it.
Kountrykasper
October 04, 2018

In reply to by Got a check too

I'm glad to hear I hace chase and deposited mine today
Dj
October 05, 2018

In reply to by Got a check too

I received a check to on October 1 deposit in chase bank still haven’t cleared how did it take for your to clear .
Ag
October 12, 2018

In reply to by Dj

I deposited money on the 4th and was cleared the next day
head tilted left
October 09, 2018

In reply to by Got a check too

Concerned about "back clearing check"
Hlje
October 02, 2018

In reply to by Mouse1958

I received a check today and am wondering if it is legit also.
Saintslouisiana
October 04, 2018

In reply to by Hlje

I bought to my bank. They said never seen a check like this. Put on hold for 7 days.
Surprised
October 05, 2018

In reply to by Saintslouisiana

I deposited it on tues with Chase bank,they now have put a 10 day hold on it.they claim they have seen 2 checks returned.super irritated,it's a good sum of money but this is ridiculous.total third degree over the check,,how did I get it,why did I get it ?
Carolyn75
October 09, 2018

In reply to by Dj

Chase put a 10 day hold on mine too, its supposed to be released this Thursday. So frustrating because I need that money. I should of just cashed it at US Bank.
Lil Mae
October 10, 2018

In reply to by Carolyn75

At least your bank informed you of the hold. My put funds on hold then cleared in about four days only to put funds on hold again after I started paying bills now my account is in the negative and they’re now saying possibility to of bieng released on 10/18. In he meantime I’m stuck with several overdrafts. TD bank sucks!!!
Poochie
October 09, 2018

In reply to by Dj

I received a check on 10/2..deposited into chase they put a hold on it as well. But said in 10 days it should clear. Gosh i almost threw it out thinking it was junk mail....
Sassy
October 07, 2018

In reply to by Surprised

I got mine on the 30th and instead of depositing it to my account i went to us bank and cash it there i didnt mind cashing it and paying the 7 fee
Magda/Oct 9,2018
October 09, 2018

In reply to by Sassy

I recibe a c check on 10/3/2018, though for sure was a scam, w by en I asked my daughter who is familiar with legal matters, told me to go to US bank, I went and was able to cash the check, was so happy! $3531.00. It will help to pay for my tires. Thank God!
Shoulderbone
October 24, 2018

In reply to by Surprised

A great blessing. If your bank put more than a one day hold change banks.
deanie oct 3
October 03, 2018

In reply to by Bellie

bellie...I received a check and checking into it. did your bank give you a problem? is there something on the check that makes it legit eq watermark etc? thanks for your help
FTC Staff
October 04, 2018

In reply to by deanie oct 3

If you have trouble cashing or depositing the check, please call the company the FTC hired to manage the refund process. That is Rust Consulting, at 1-866-730-8147. Rust Consulting will tell you how to verify that the check is legitimate.

Candy
October 05, 2018

In reply to by FTC Staff

Cashnet USA is another one I got a loan for less than $1000 in the beginning of 2017 and each ACH payment was charged 299% of the loan but out of each payment of more than $100 every 2 weeks they only applied like $20 of it. I am still paying the loan. Please check into this.
Djdee90
November 30, 2018

In reply to by FTC Staff

The paperwork said it was a partial refund, could there be more being issued?
FTC Staff
November 30, 2018

In reply to by Djdee90

The letter you got from the FTC said your check is a partial refund. It says that because the amount of your check is less than the total amount you paid to AMG Services, Inc. when it illegally charged you undisclosed and inflated fees. The FTC has sent out all the money that is available.

Mamabbb
December 07, 2018

In reply to by FTC Staff

So that means I will not receive the other part of my partial payment?
MiMi311
December 08, 2018

In reply to by FTC Staff

I thought check was a scam as I’ve been a victim before so I didn’t cash. Can another check be issued?