FTC sends checks to eligible customers
The FTC is sending 281,724 checks totaling more than $18 million to eligible Publishers Clearing House customers.
If you get a check, please cash it within 90 days.
You can find answers to common questions about FTC refund payments on our FAQ page. If you have any other questions, please call the refund administrator at 1-888-516-0774.
What was the lawsuit about?
According to the lawsuit, Publishers Clearing House:
- misled people about how to enter the sweepstakes drawings
- made them believe that a purchase was necessary to win or would increase their chances of winning
- made them believe that their sweepstakes entries were incomplete, even when they were not
- sent emails with deceptive subject lines that led people to click on links and waste time and money. For example, subject lines like “High Priority Doc. W-34 Issued” and “W-19 Notice – Step 3 of 3 INCOMPLETE” made people believe the email was related to a tax form or official requirement, when it was not
- added surprise shipping and handling fees that increased the cost of customer orders by an average of 40%
- and charged customers shipping fees to return products, despite making claims that the ordering process was “risk-free.”
Why didn’t I get a check?
Not every Publishers Clearing House customer is eligible for a check.
Checks will be sent to people who ordered a product from Publishers Clearing House after receiving and clicking on one of the emails that the FTC alleged were deceptive.
Do I have to pay to get a refund?
No, the FTC never asks you to pay to get a refund.
Don't pay anyone who promises you a refund in exchange for a fee. And don’t provide personal information to anyone who contacts you promising a refund.
If you get a call from someone demanding money, making threats, or telling you to transfer money, or promising you a prize, it’s a scam. Report it at www.reportfraud.ftc.gov.