FTC Sending Full Refunds to Consumers Who Paid for “Free” and “Risk-Free” Product Pitches

The Federal Trade Commission is mailing refund checks totaling $488,629 to consumers who bought golf and kitchen gadgets from a group of online marketers that allegedly used deceptive “free” and “risk-free” trials to sell their products.

According to an FTC complaint filed in March 2017, AAFE Products and related defendants did not clearly disclose that consumers who accepted a “free” product would be charged for a monthly subscription if they did not cancel. The defendants also allegedly misrepresented their return, refund, and cancellation policies. Under settlement orders announced in September 2017, the defendants were required to pay for consumer refunds.

The FTC is mailing 14,370 checks that average $34 each. The FTC never requires consumers to pay money or provide information to cash refund checks. Consumers who receive a check from the FTC should deposit or cash the check within 60 days, as indicated on the check. Consumers who have questions about the mailing should call JND Legal Administration, the refund administrator for this case, at 1-833-900-1638.

AAFE marketed their products under various names, including, Kitchen Advance, Gourmet Cooking Online, Gourmet Cooking Rewards, Medicus Golf, Kick X Tour Z Golf Balls, Golf Online Academy, Golf Tour Partners, and Purestrike Swing Clinic. Consumers who bought AAFE products but do not receive a check should contact JND at the toll-free number above.

The FTC’s interactive dashboards for refund data provide a state-by-state breakdown of these refunds, as well as refund programs from other FTC cases. In 2019, FTC actions led to more than $232 million in refunds to consumers across the country.

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.