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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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We don't edit comments to remove objectionable content, so please ensure that your comment contains none of the above. The comments posted on this blog become part of the public domain. To protect your privacy and the privacy of other people, please do not include personal information. Opinions in comments that appear in this blog belong to the individuals who expressed them. They do not belong to or represent views of the Federal Trade Commission.

Joyco
October 10, 2018

In reply to by Wayne

The check is legit. Deposited $2,100+ and my bank honored the check.
whitw001
October 17, 2018

In reply to by Wayne

deposited Mine too 2555.55. cashed right away...says you have 60 days. Its from the Federal Trade Commission. It's legit!!!
FTC Staff
October 10, 2018

In reply to by Tsdk

The letter you got from the FTC said your check is a partial refund. It says partial refund 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.

Helen
February 27, 2019

In reply to by FTC Staff

I also used two of these Ameriloan and USFastCash and they took me for so much that I had to close two bank accounts. Why have I not heard of this lawsuit and did not get a refund?
Aprinc
October 04, 2018

In reply to by Sandybeaches62

Yup, for partial refund for illegal fees that you were charged for a pay day loan.
Misty Toe
October 04, 2018

In reply to by Sandybeaches62

I did, mine said partial refund. Does it mean more to come?
Candy4uboo
October 08, 2018

In reply to by Sandybeaches62

Yes, I got one that says partial refund too. Does that mean another check is coming???
FTC Staff
October 10, 2018

In reply to by Candy4uboo

The letter you got from the FTC said your check is a partial refund. It says partial refund 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.

Gail
October 15, 2018

In reply to by Sandybeaches62

Yes mine says partial refund also and I'm worried that when I was at my PO Box several weeks ago I had a lot in there and rush through things and might have tossed one it looks like junk mail. U.s. bank would not cash mine today because it was over $2,000 made me mad also I tried to cash it at a check cashing place but they couldn't get through to anyone at the number to verify it was legit. Hopefully I won't have trouble with Citibank I had closed the account last year and attempted to reopen it today have to check back with them Monday that they will reopen it
Mindy
October 13, 2018

In reply to by Sandybeaches62

Mine says partial too not sure why though...in the letter it also said the check was my share so I don't get the partial refund part
FTC Staff
October 15, 2018

In reply to by Mindy

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.

Jamaicagirl73
October 13, 2018

In reply to by Sandybeaches62

I also received a check and the letter stated that this was a partial refund. Does this mean I another check in on the way?
LadyJ
October 13, 2018

In reply to by Sandybeaches62

yes I received a letter and a check saying this is a partial refund for illegal finance fees. Does that me I will get another check.
Lisa
October 14, 2018

In reply to by Sandybeaches62

Yes Mine said partial check. Does that mean we receive another check sometime?
T
October 03, 2018

In reply to by Mouse1958

why would the FTC post something that was not legit on their site? you don't want your check sign it over to me! lol
Lockemup17
October 03, 2018

In reply to by T

Received mine today! WOW!!!!! I hella overpaid. My birthday was on the 2nd. Happy damn birthday to me!
Ers
October 03, 2018

In reply to by T

Exactly for goodness sake cash the dang check smh.
Jeckal
October 03, 2018

In reply to by Mouse1958

Totally legit..I got mine for $370 today. Cashed no problem.
123ktb
October 03, 2018

In reply to by Mouse1958

Yes this check is legit. I cashed my check today.
Atlnjgagirl
October 04, 2018

In reply to by Mouse1958

Yes this is legit, I got 2 checks in the mail.
Rolltide
October 04, 2018

In reply to by Atlnjgagirl

if you don't mind me asking how much was your 2 checks and what was the time difference between the checks
Lockemup17
October 06, 2018

In reply to by Mouse1958

It’s legit! I cashed ALL four of my checks at US Bank. They are well aware of these checks. If you have not done so already, cash your check(s) before the deadline.
Big daddy T.
October 07, 2018

In reply to by Mouse1958

Its very legit I got mine for $1,695.00 came right when i was dead broke.
eam6984
October 08, 2018

In reply to by Mouse1958

I contacted US Bank, they said it was a valid check
Cranberry22
October 01, 2018

In reply to by coreythedog

Did you cash the check? I received one over the weekend and I am afraid to cash it,
help
October 01, 2018

In reply to by coreythedog

I tried cashing check at walmart and the check was rejected they would not cash it. Any suggestions?
god is good
October 01, 2018

In reply to by coreythedog

try cashing check walmart would not cash it
RPH
October 01, 2018

In reply to by coreythedog

Yes! I received my check today and immediately deposits it within my bank! Thank you!
Lovelylady3244
October 03, 2018

In reply to by coreythedog

Have you cashed the check is it legit?
Dgarcia
October 03, 2018

In reply to by coreythedog

I receive mines 2 days ago but I'm having trouble cashing it
Cashmere
October 06, 2018

In reply to by Dgarcia

Walmart denied my check. So I am now wondering do I mobile deposit it? Has anyone mobile deposit there check and got money back?????
Vero0930
October 03, 2018

In reply to by coreythedog

Did you have a problem cashing it?
Marneise
October 04, 2018

In reply to by coreythedog

I received a check on 10/01 for $361.61, they are legit. Any website that end with “.gov” is legit. The notice attcotonthe check referred me to www.ftc.gov. Very unexpected but well deserved.
aracelis911
October 04, 2018

In reply to by coreythedog

i got it yesterday, i am a little hesitant. has anybody messed with your account like making it likes a good check. because i am scared that it good be a fake or unsufficient funds on thier behalf
mzpeppa
October 05, 2018

In reply to by coreythedog

I tried to cash mine yesterday and it was declined. Anyone else have this issue?
Lioness56
October 30, 2018

In reply to by coreythedog

Are these checks legit I got one as well
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