FTC Returns Money to Consumers Deceived into Buying Business Coaching Program

The Federal Trade Commission is mailing 3,633 checks totaling more than $969,000 to people who lost money to a deceptive telemarketing scheme that promoted business coaching services to people who wanted to start internet businesses.

In January 2018, the Internet Teaching and Training Specialists, LLC (ITT) defendants were banned from selling business coaching services and business opportunities under a settlement with the FTC. ITT sold a business coaching program provided by Guidance Interactive, a company that also settled with the FTC. According to the FTC’s complaint, despite these defendants’ promises, most of their customers did not develop a successful online business, and instead ended up in debt.

Each check is worth $266.78. 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, Rust Consulting Inc., at 1-888-812-1569.

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.