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Last July, we told you about the FTC’s settlement with Herbalife, which made the multilevel marketing company not only restructure how it does business, but also pay $200 million to people who lost money trying to run an Herbalife business. Today, we mailed checks to about 350,000 of them.

Are you thinking about a multilevel marketing (MLM) business opportunity? Every year, many people join MLM plans – and many also leave. Before joining any MLM company, do some research. Your time and money are too valuable not to. Here are a few things to consider:

  • Can you realistically see yourself selling to your network of friends and family? Selling is work, and not everyone is good at it.
  • What about the product? Would people you know buy it repeatedly and consistently? Or would they only buy it once as a favor? Can people buy comparable products for less?
  • What will it cost you to run this business? You might get pressure to buy a lot of product – in fact, people have lost a lot of money buying more product than they can sell. Also consider things like gas, shipping and packaging costs, sales aids, trainings, and your time. Does that math add up for you? Lots of people leave multilevel marketing programs without making any money, and many lose money.

If the person who recruited you into the business tells you not to worry about selling because you can make money by recruiting others – walk away. In a legitimate MLM program, you need to be able to make money by selling the product, not by recruiting others to join and buy the product. 

So, what about the money back from the Herbalife settlement? Well, the settlement covered people who worked with Herbalife between 2009 and 2015. If you were an Herbalife distributor who paid at least $1,000 to Herbalife during those years, but got little or nothing back from the company – and we were able to locate a valid address for you – you should be seeing a check. The check is a partial refund of the money we estimate you lost while trying to run an Herbalife business.

If you get a check refunding some of the money you lost in Herbalife, cash it. If you have questions about why you didn’t get a check, learn more on our refunds page. Thinking about whether a business opportunity is right for you? The FTC has resources for evaluating business opportunities, including MLMs.

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RKF2016
January 19, 2017
Bridget. I received a check, but figure my son should also receive one since he bought as much as I in the same time frame. Is there a way to determine if he will be receiving a check?
Laraliza
January 27, 2017

In reply to by FTC Staff

That number don't work from Puerto Rico. Who can help us?
ebradeen
January 19, 2017
Thrilled to get something back from these criminals, but the way I see it they owe me at least another 3 grand.
Cchavez209
January 19, 2017
Got mine yesterday - 4K - not bad
bmtndh468
January 19, 2017
I received a check on Tuesday Jan 17, what a nice surprise. It will come in very useful! Thank you FTC for doing your job!
Blessed
January 19, 2017
I had no idea of a lawsuit going on. What a HUGE surprise to pick up my mail and see a envelope from federal trade commission and thinking it was just garbage mail. Placed ebvelop in garbage. After like 2 hrs I walked by the garbage and for some reason I opened the envelope sine it was on top and saw that it had a $5427.32 check inside. I could not believe it and still thought it was no a legit check until I went to the bank and explained how I received it and was told it was a legit check. Thank You FTC
Eddy
January 20, 2017

In reply to by Blessed

I have my check for a higher amount but I'm still a little not sure about it even after reading this ..should i go cash it ?
Esmeralda n
January 19, 2017
I want my monsy and i hvnt received it when would i receive my money
AnotherVictim
January 19, 2017
I was still active at the end of 2015. I finally quit in May 2016. Do I qualify for a refund? I was lied too and sold a fake dream. left me with almost nothing on top of that being harassed to post personal pictures of myself and my friends in order to "make money" I finally quit the company. this is more than money lost. I was also mentally and verbally abused to the point that I was feeling depressed for quitting on "my dream and whys"
Kololeke
January 19, 2017
Imagine being promised that I would become a millionaire by going higher in the company than lost about $80,000 in product, equipment, supplies, and time. Herbalife taught that we were giving information to potential leads which we bought at a unrealistic price to recruit then those recruiters would recruit. 2011-2013. Received a refund but the real loss will not refunded. Congratulations FTC to being successful in getting refunds for duped distributors and supervisors. Thank you.
Yanet
January 19, 2017
How the people who buy the product from the distributor? Are we getting any money back? I probably expended 1000.00.
Jazmin M
January 19, 2017

I just a the refund check today. Thank you :) I never expected to received this.

Karla M
January 19, 2017
I invested in Herbalife in 2008, spent close to $2000 in product and leads, not to mention the $40 a month you were required to pay to run your site. I ended up using the products myself because I only had one-time customers. As great as the shakes was, the cost made it impossible to sell to other people, especially in my town. I ended up cancelling the website and became inactive. My check was $270.
Ramirez1990
January 19, 2017
I'm still a member im getting a check ?
Hammond girl
January 19, 2017
I was in the company from 2005 -2009 It took a lot of money to run, they always keep on telling me you have to order more you need this ! you need that. ! They really had me brain washed I left my day job so I can run the company WHAT A BIG MISTAKE IN MY LIFE !!! I was buying merchandise every week I spent 12,000 dollars and I am still paying it off its crazy !! This company really got me and then every time I went to a meeting you had to pay 40$ and that was twice a week crazy !!
Mountain Girl
January 20, 2017
I had no idea this was in the works but am rally happy to hear that Herbalife had to pay. I am still paying off bills from this but I learned a life long lesson. It doesn't cover all of the money I lost but it was a nice surprise to find this check in the mail today. Thank You.
nopahlf
January 20, 2017
We didn't receive the checks even we spent more than 4k$ and get back nothing from the company. How FTC determine the eligibility of the refund? We need a website to check our own eligibility, not a phone number will hold you forever. THANKS!
NoRefundPeeps
January 20, 2017
We have been an active member since 2012. We changed over to the Charter Preferred Membership in December and we have not received a check. I called the FTC number and there is no record of our name being 'eligible' for the refund. I am guessing that once you change to the Charter Preferred Membership, you lose out on the refund check. :-(
Thcahcs
January 20, 2017
Are there any pending suits for those of us who still are reluctantly selling to try to regain our losses?
Idonno
January 20, 2017
A couple of friends received checks but i don't understand. They aren't unsatisfied and they still consume the product.
Cho...
January 23, 2017

Ch... After I was laid off from my job,I was introduce to Herbalife from a stranger who I didn't know at the time and which that person who then became my supervisor. I invested in Herbalife in 2009 trying to gain customers to buy the product working along with my Herbalife supervisor. Most of my clients didn't want to be distributor which it became so hard to sell the products. It was overwhelming because at times customers will tell me that they don't have the time of being a distributor. I lost money trying to sell the products. I just recently received a letter along with a refund check from FTC. I thought it was a scam until I did my research. I appreciate everything FTC have done as well working hard to resolve the settlement that had us thinking everything will be very smooth sailing. Thank you so much!

jogutierrez
January 22, 2017
I too am still a distributor who just stepped down to custome because I wasnt making any money.So am I getting a check? becau I have invested so much for years now. My daughter also has lose by putting a nutrition club and having to take a lose...Do we be waiting for a check?
Will
January 23, 2017
How do I know if I qualify for this settlement? Is there a number I can call?
Gbashley
January 23, 2017
I have moved since I sold Herbalife. How can I give my correct address or how can I see if I should have gotten a refund but didn't because if address change?
Zhanx
January 24, 2017
I have not yet receive my check, however, my friend who have the same situation,she receive the check, how to check where is my check
MartinaM
January 24, 2017
I too been with Herbalife and haven't received anything. how can I found out if I got anything my husband threw away a lot of mail he thought it was junk mail. I tried calling but it just keeps taking me to answers and question or unrelated things.
mzjami
April 07, 2017

There was no signing up. If you were a distributor during that time frame you will get a check. I am still with Herbalife for personal use only and I got a check. Not sure how it works if you moved and didn't file a change of addresses. Just wanted to clear up if your still a active member you won't get a check, not sure.

Cristal
January 25, 2017
I have moved three times since I quit selling. Do you have any email address to contact you? I am sure I qualify for a (partial)refund
Cisnerosbrenda
January 25, 2017
Why I haven't received anything I invested more then 5 thousand dollars and I haven't even received a letter or anything how can i get some of my money back
Yesica Z
January 25, 2017
I didn't get my refund yet hope to get soon thank u
Silva
January 30, 2017

In reply to by Yesica Z

Call them and be persistent, they will get your call. I called and they told me that I am not in their list. I am trying to find a way to get my money back.
Silva
January 30, 2017
Hello Bridget, I was expecting a check from you since I ran a Nutrition club, I tried to build a business between 2009 and 2013, after working 60 hours a week and in a whole with a big debt, I quit, and decided to use the product for myself and my family. I called the number you gave us to notify that I moved and I found out that I am not a recipient for a check. I have proves that I lost money, my taxes can show everything. Who do I need to contact? what is the email address or the department I need to contact? I want to thank you for getting money from Herbalife, I am happy to see people getting their money back. something that Herbalife will not give us back are our dreams. I really love the products but I hate their manipulative way of treating people to gain and gain money especially Hispanics.
Yayita
January 30, 2017
I spent over 10,000 in products, haven't gotten a cent back, my mother who I sponsored got over $500 and spent a lot less than I did, how is this determined, any money back to me would be nice
ferchito
February 01, 2017
after 2 years buying products from herbalife i quit,but they were using my ss # tomopen a health club on my name. i reported to herbalife ,california all they do is send me a released letter from herbalife.what can i do?
Dvict
February 02, 2017
The part I don't understand is that the check may bounce if not cash before march and who has deposit it in their bank ACCTS, anythoughs plz.
nurselollie
February 03, 2017
I started with Herbalife in 2010 I have not gotten a check. Is there a list I would be able to see if my check was lost? Thanks
Alisa
February 04, 2017
How can I get money back. I was herbalife distributor in 2010. I could't do business because their vitamin made in China so I could't sell, and I could't return either. How can I get my money back?
Maria
February 07, 2017
my sister got her refund without doing a claim. i just really hope i get the money back ;(
V1529
February 11, 2017
I am also wondering if I'd receive a check, mostly all of my downline received their checks. I burned through $10,000 plus in one month purchasing products under my downine to help with their volumes and promoted their business and they all received checks and it doesn't seem like I getting one. Very sad!
s30022213
February 19, 2017
I just found out about this. Does anyone know or if they are still giving out checks please.
Blackcape
March 04, 2017
My check bounced. What should I do?
mgomez0325
March 10, 2017
How do I know if I got a refund check from Herbalife?
Pichimoreno
March 11, 2017
I guess if ididn't receive a check by this time march 10 i wont get one. To bad
Ceeds
March 12, 2017
I have not received a check yet and I have lost approx 150,000 between nutrition club expenses and product purchases. What should I do?
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