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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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The purpose of this blog and its comments section is to inform readers about Federal Trade Commission activity, and share information to help them avoid, report, and recover from fraud, scams, and bad business practices. Your thoughts, ideas, and concerns are welcome, and we encourage comments. But keep in mind, this is a moderated blog. We review all comments before they are posted, and we won’t post comments that don’t comply with our commenting policy. We expect commenters to treat each other and the blog writers with respect.

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Mel
October 01, 2018
Has any one actually cashed a check yet?
comebackgloria
October 31, 2018
Got mine today thank you god
4real18
October 01, 2018
Has anyone had any problems cashing these checks
Hisgirl
October 01, 2018
Thank you! I received mine and I truly needed it! The mortgage is due.
Co2
October 01, 2018
I called the bank that was on the check the guy I spoke with said her couldn't verify the check and told me to call the phone number on the check. When I called the number they just keep you on hold for a really long time and no one picks up
lynn
October 01, 2018
Can't believe this FINALLY!!!
nikatnite81171
October 01, 2018
Got mine today for $650 and my husband still doesn't believe it's real LOL Then I saw this story so it must be legit! I did take out payday loans from two of these companies. What a wonderful surprise in my mailbox!
Motherof2kb 2
October 01, 2018
I received my check today I went to my bank to see if it was legit. The bank said it looks like a real check. Going to hold the check for 5 business days to make sure it clears. I hope this is another scam. I also received the letter explaining why I received a refund
thisbetterbereal
October 01, 2018
I contacted the DOJ and asked them about this. I’m making copies front and back of the check, scanning and emailing it to the FTC and DOJ. I’ll deposit only when I hear back from them.
Blessed
October 01, 2018
Got mine today. What a blessing.
Loyalist
October 01, 2018
Has anyone cashed these checks/deposited them is the real question.
Cammy69
October 01, 2018
It seems Bridget can only give the same answers but it w=really doesn’t answer whether the chef is real
Happytobefreef…
October 01, 2018
I received a letter with a check my letter stated it was a practical payment for what I was charged. Does this mean I should expect another check ?
What about ban…
October 01, 2018
I understand them paying the loan ammount but the over charges in a bank account who needs to pay those as fraud charges. The bank wouldnt close the account after they where cintacted that the loan was a fraud. Its a ferderal credit union. Thats not right either. Its criminal actuvity as well.
madhypa
October 01, 2018
I got mine today! $1100! Nice surprise. Thanks FTC
Blessedaswell
October 01, 2018
Got mine today. Truly a blessing. Came at a great time.
Sheryl H
October 01, 2018
Why does my letter say "The enclosed check is a "partial" refund... Emphasis on partial please
Keisha
October 01, 2018
I have moved since then, what steps should I follow in order to collect my check?
doggiemommaof3
October 01, 2018
Thank you so much FTC for advocating for us!!! I was skeptical at first and ironically after looking at this website, you have information warning about check scams. haha! This was totally unexpected, so thank you again for making my day!!! :)
Happygirl
October 01, 2018
Got mine today!
kristinarain
October 01, 2018
I received a check today. it list the security features of the check which look like they are missing. It came attached to a letter explaining everything i read here as well as the phone # and website to find out more info. Should it look like it was just printed on normal paper?
Jambibird16
October 01, 2018
Received my check today. I, too, thought it was fake until I went into your website and the check really looked for real. Thank you so much....I used 2 of the loan companies you mentioned.
beardedtractorman
October 01, 2018
I took out payday loans with 3 or 4 of the AMG companies that were listed - will there be separate checks for each or are they combined into one check?
Gotit
October 01, 2018
Got today - $1,100. Nice surprise! Thanks FTC
Kim19
October 01, 2018
I was wondering how to find out if someone should be getting a check or not?
Robinj57
October 01, 2018
Got mine today. What a surprise! I was scared to deposit until I researched it first. Why have we not received any info on this until now?
Upland1986
October 01, 2018
Mine said a partial refund does that mean I will receive another refund?
ds
October 01, 2018
I got checks from a lawsuit against amg services I am having an attorney check them out,,
Country girl
October 01, 2018
Has anyone cashed these checks? I don’t see any type of seals on the back of the check kinda scared to take too the bank.
Uhoobug
October 01, 2018
will the check be from FTC v. AMG services Refund Administrator?
me23
October 01, 2018
I've gotten the check but I went to cash it and couldn't what's going on with that
Erinbaron
October 01, 2018
I received a check. Is this for real? I am concerned it is a scam. I did use one or more of these companies.
Pwalk
October 01, 2018
I recieved a partial payment what does that mean?
FTC Staff
October 10, 2018

In reply to by Pwalk

  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.

Andersonl303
October 01, 2018
How do I know if I’m getting one? I had a loan from One Click Cash and Advantage Cash services with emails from both
ItsLiZz
October 01, 2018
Just got mine. I’m a little weary about whether or not this is real. however, I just googled to see if anything was on the news and CBS reported it about four days ago. I’m going to call tomorrow to see if this is legit or not.. Good luck to all!!
QuestionMark
October 01, 2018
I received 2 checks totaling over 1400. I’m very skeptical because the checks are very generic. They don’t look real at all. I have tried calling US Bank and FTC and can’t gey anyone on the phone. I don’t want to be scammed again.
A. Waters
October 01, 2018
What exactly does partial payment mean on the letter and check sent from FTC?
FTC Staff
October 10, 2018

In reply to by A. Waters

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.

Bp in ga
October 01, 2018
I got mine today over 800. CALL TO MAKE SURE IT WAS TRUE. !!!
Happy
October 09, 2018
I am very thankful got mine today. I'm another person that hopes Santander will also be investigated along with Max Loan online.
MK
October 01, 2018
I received mine today for $2031. That was a tough time during the recession and I paid and paid these crooks. I appreciate the FTC going after this. Thank you.
Lau Bro
October 01, 2018
How many checks are being sent? Mine said partial refund. Does that mean I am getting another one?
AntC
October 01, 2018
If these payments are the result of illegally charged fees....are we still responsible to pay taxes on them as if it were income?
FTC Staff
October 24, 2018

In reply to by AntC

The FTC will not send you an IRS Form 1099 related to your partial refund check. The FTC doesn't give tax advice; you could talk with someone at the IRS or a tax professional about your question.

Slbrant26
October 01, 2018
I got mine today...I'm glad somebody was looking out because I had no clue!!
Motherof2kb 2
October 01, 2018
Received mine today. Hope it’s legit and not another scam.
Trenise
October 01, 2018
Received a refund today. Mine says it’s a partial refund. Should I expect another refund?
FTC Staff
October 09, 2018

In reply to by Trenise

The letter you got from the FTC said your check is a partial refund. "Partial refund" in this case means 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.

Cain1980
October 01, 2018
Is this check real or is this a way someone can try and scam you or your bank account. Please let me know what I should do.