What you need to know if you were a MOBE customer

We recently wrote about steps that the FTC took to stop MOBE, an internet business-coaching scheme that was promoting a bogus online business opportunity to retirees and veterans. We’ve gotten a lot of questions from MOBE customers on our consumer blog and business blog. Here’s what you need to know if you were a MOBE customer.

Status of the FTC Lawsuit against MOBE

The FTC filed its lawsuit against MOBE in June 2018 and the case is ongoing. At the FTC’s request, the Court has temporarily suspended MOBE’s business operations.

The FTC’s primary goals in these types of cases are to stop companies from breaking the law, and to recover money that the company should not be allowed to keep. The Court will decide what we can do in MOBE.

Status of Refunds

It could take several months, if not longer, to resolve the case against MOBE. If the lawsuit results in refunds, we will tell you in the FTC's consumer blog. We’ll use information from MOBE’s database to identify customers who lost money and are eligible for a refund. At that time, you might need to give information to verify your claim. But not right now.

What to Do Now to Get a Refund

Nothing. You don’t have to do anything right now to request a refund. If you hear that you have to send a request to get a refund, it’s not true. That could be scammers trying to steal your personal or financial information. If there are refunds, the FTC will tell you if you need to do anything. But right now, there’s nothing for you to do.

Amount of Refunds

If there are refunds for MOBE customers, each person’s refund may depend on several things, including: how much the defendants are able to pay; how much the court orders for refunds; how many people lost money; and how much each person lost.

Timing of Refunds

If the Court orders refunds for MOBE customers, we will send out checks as soon as we can. There are several steps, including getting the money and information from the company, getting the checks ready, and mailing them. Those steps often take several months.

What to Do If You Were a MOBE Customer

• Report your MOBE experience to the FTC: ftc.gov/complaint. This information may help the FTC in its case against MOBE. Your report also makes sure the FTC can contact you, if necessary.
• If you were a MOBE customer outside the United States, you also may want to report to the consumer protection agency in your country. For more information about reporting international scams, go to econsumer.gov.
• Save your documentation. Save any emails, documents or receipts relating to MOBE. If the case results in refunds for MOBE customers, your records could help you prove how much you paid. That could be a factor in how much money you could get back.

More Information about the FTC Lawsuit

Find out more about the FTC’s lawsuit against MOBE:

• on the website of the court-appointed receiver, Mark Bernet, at www.bernet-receiver.com/appointments/mobe/. At the FTC’s request, the Court appointed the receiver to take over the operations and secure the assets of MOBE.
• on the Federal Trade Commission’s case page about MOBE.

The FTC’s action against MOBE is not a class action. A class action is a private lawsuit brought by multiple victims working with a private attorney. At this time, we are not aware of any class actions against MOBE.