FTC Returns Money to Victims of High School ‘Diploma’ Scheme

The Federal Trade Commission is mailing 8,043 checks totaling more than $216,000 to people who paid Stratford Career Institute, a correspondence school whose expensive high school “diploma” program failed to meet the basic requirements set by most states. People who tried to use the company’s diplomas often were told by potential employers and college admissions officers that the program was not equivalent to a traditional high school diploma.

Recipients should deposit or cash checks within 60 days. The FTC never requires people to pay money or provide account information to cash a refund check. If recipients have questions about the case, they should contact the FTC’s refund administrator, Analytics, at 844-402-8577.

FTC law enforcement actions led to more than $6.4 billion in refunds for consumers in a one-year period between July 2016 and June 2017. To learn more about the FTC’s refund program, visit www.ftc.gov/refunds.

The Federal Trade Commission works to promote competition, and protect and educate consumers. You can learn more about consumer topics and file a consumer complaint online or by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357).  Like the FTC on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, read our blogs and subscribe to press releases for the latest FTC news and resources.