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If you took out an online payday loan from a company affiliated with AMG Services, you may be getting a check in the mail from the FTC. The $505 million the FTC is returning to consumers makes this the largest refund program the agency has ever administered.

The FTC sued AMG and Scott A. Tucker for deceptive payday lending. When consumers took out loans, AMG said they would charge a one-time finance fee. Instead, AMG made multiple illegal withdrawals from peoples’ bank accounts and charged hidden fees. As a result, people paid far more for the loans than they had agreed to.

In 2016 the FTC won a court case against AMG and Scott Tucker. Then in 2017, a jury convicted Tucker and his attorney of crimes related to the lending scheme. The FTC and Department of Justice are using money obtained in both court actions to give refunds to consumers.

Here are answers to questions about AMG refunds.

Who will get a refund? Checks are being sent to consumers who took out loans between January 2008 and January 2013 from these AMG-related companies: 500FastCash, Advantage Cash Services, Ameriloan, OneClickCash, Star Cash Processing, UnitedCashLoans, and USFastCash.

How many people will get refunds? More than 1.1 million people will get refunds.

How does the FTC know who to send the checks to? The FTC and a refund administrator have used AMG’s business records to identify eligible consumers and calculate their refunds.

I’m eligible for a refund. What do I need to do? If you borrowed from one of the lenders listed above between January 2008 and January 2013, you don’t need to do anything. The checks are being mailed to eligible consumers automatically. There is no application process. If you borrowed from one of those lenders before January 2008, please call 1-866-730-8147.

How can I get more information? Visit the FTC’s AMG refund page or call 1-866-730-8147.

Three tips from the FTC:

  1. If you get a check, deposit or cash it within 60 days.
  2. The FTC never asks people to pay money or give information to cash refund checks. If someone asks you to pay to get a refund from the FTC, it’s a scam.
  3. The FTC has advice if you’re thinking about a payday loan or an online payday loan.
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jad2222
November 17, 2018
Has anyone gotten there reissued check yet?
Rayetteq
November 19, 2018

In reply to by jad2222

I haven't received mine yet. They told me they reviewed my letter on October 16th and it would be 4 to 6 weeks. I called again after 4 weeks and the woman said end of November beginning of December. I would just like to receive it because I'm afraid it's going to get lost again
tmcarr
November 18, 2018
Everyone! The checks are real!!! I got one, and I cash it, and it clear. It’s getting down to the deadline to cash. It is really a real down to earth check
krissygirl
November 20, 2018
My statement says a partial refund. This mean I will be getting another check?
FTC Staff
November 30, 2018

In reply to by krissygirl

The letter you got from the FTC said your check is a partial refund. It says that because the amount of your check is less than the total amount you paid to AMG Services, Inc. when it illegally charged you undisclosed and inflated fees. The FTC has sent out all the money that is available.

luckylsa
November 20, 2018
Totally legit people, already received two large checks no problem at my credit union. Anyone out there receive more than two?
Lstarnee
November 20, 2018
Hi how can you get a lost check reissued?
FTC Staff
November 30, 2018

In reply to by Lstarnee

Please call the company that the FTC hired to manage the refund process at 1-866-730-8147.

Lm225
November 22, 2018
Has anyone gotten their reissued check yet? Just wondering
Rayetteq
November 26, 2018

In reply to by Lm225

I was wondering that too. Has anyone received a reissued check. I've called a couple of times and they say 4 to 6 weeks every time
Madge
January 30, 2019

In reply to by Lm225

I called a few days ago about reissued checks and was told those will be slow getting because of the gov shut down but now that the gov is running somewhat again hoping i get before the next possible shut down Feb 15th....but normally he said 4 to 6 weeks to get checks reissued back..
jane
November 22, 2018
I just opened mine Nov 20th... I thought it was junk mail so just passed over it. After opening it, took it to my bank and deposited it. No hold placed.
Cowfolk4
November 23, 2018
Did anybody’s check say partial refund? Mine did. I’m wondering if they’re sending out another batch.?
FTC Staff
November 30, 2018

In reply to by Cowfolk4

All the letters sent by the FTC said the check is a partial refund. The letters said that because the amount of your check is less than the total amount you paid to AMG Services, Inc. when it illegally charged you undisclosed and inflated fees.

The FTC has sent out all the money that is available.

Sherry
November 24, 2018
Has anyone received the reissued checks yet?
Computerguy
November 25, 2018
If you’ve updated your address through USPS or your financial institution it is sent the Deparment of the Treasury.That’s how you were found.
MsMack
November 25, 2018
The letter stated the enclosed check is a partial refund for illegal finance fees. I was wondering if they still owe us more?
FTC Staff
November 30, 2018

In reply to by MsMack

The letter you got from the FTC said your check is a partial refund. It says that because the amount of your check is less than the total amount you paid to AMG Services, Inc. when it illegally charged you undisclosed and inflated fees.

The FTC has sent out all the money that is available.

welcome1
November 26, 2018
Reissue checks will be mail out on November 28
Desiree
November 26, 2018
I was cleaning off my dresser and almost threw mine away too. Thankfully, I opened it and realized there was a check inside. I deposited it via ATM on November 22, 2018 - four days before the deadline. Thanking God for my unexpected blessing all the way to the bank!
voyager659
November 27, 2018
For those that had to have your check re-issued like me I called the number and had them update my information they gave me a reference number for my old check and instructed me to send a letter with my updated info to the address I was given with the ref number and that it would take up to 4-6 weeks to send new check . Since it was originally sent to a PO box Rust got it back quickly. I called today 11/27/18 exactly 4 weeks later and checks are being resent on 11/28/18 .. so if you did anything similar you should be getting a check first week in December .. Don't know how much but anything is good at this time ... thank God
Sherry
November 30, 2018

In reply to by voyager659

Hello, thank you for the information. I did the same thing. Did someone tell you that your check was being mailed or is it a batch of checks being mailed? They continue to tell me 4-6 weeks and it has been about 5 weeks for me? Called today and they could not tell me when it was being mailed. They could see the old check was voided, and my information was changed. But nothing on the screen for a reissued check. But they told me to check back by next Friday. I don't understand what is going on. Seems like every agent says something different.
jeremiah
November 27, 2018
I receive me check in the mail with a letter attach to it states it was a a refund and cash soon as possible. It also stated it was a partial payment and I guess that means they're sending me the rest of the money owed. Have anyone else receive this type of information to?
FTC Staff
November 28, 2018

In reply to by jeremiah

The letter you got from the FTC said your check is a partial refund. It says that because the amount of your check is less than the total amount you paid to AMG Services, Inc. when it illegally charged you undisclosed and inflated fees.

The FTC has sent out all the money that is available.

Rayetteq
November 28, 2018
I called today and finally got some substantial news. My check is being mailed out on November 28th which is today. I imagine it will take a while because I live in Massachusetts but at least I know to keep checking my mail carefully
eher
November 29, 2018
I just found my check, but it expired 4 days ago. Can I still deposit it?
FTC Staff
November 30, 2018

In reply to by eher

Please call the company that the FTC hired to manage the refund process at 1-866-730-8147.

Derrell H.
November 30, 2018
I received a check with U.S. Bank on the envelope. No letter inside, and no explanation. Check issuer is “Cardholder Services” and gives a PO Box in Jacksonville. Is his check legit or a scammer? Digital signature of Craig E Gifford on it.
FTC Staff
December 03, 2018

In reply to by Derrell H.

When the FTC sent checks in October, the checks came with a letter. The letter explained the case, and gave links to FTC contact information. The checks were not issued by cardholder services.

You can call the company the FTC hired to manage the refund process. That is Rust Consulting at 1-866-730- 8147.

MsBrown
December 05, 2018

In reply to by FTC Staff

Do you know how the reissued check process works? I sent in my new information. And I keep getting told different information. If the agent says that it has been reissued, does that mean that it has been mailed also? Or do I still have to wait? I'm so confused and it seems as if they are also, because they can't answer my questions. Could you please help?
S Davis
December 01, 2018
Mine said a partial payment
Vinitanea
December 03, 2018
I got a check on 10-1 deposited and it still hasn't cleared. 10-31. What a let down. I have called like 15 times it's either busy or they put me on hold twice for over 20 min. This is terriable!
Rayetteq
December 03, 2018
Got my check. Thank you FTC !
LaShawn325
December 03, 2018
I received a check however it got lost in the mail. Once I opened it the vaild by date had passed. I followed thee directions I received from the 1-866-730-8147 for requesting a new check. I sent the original one back being that it was no longer vaild. Will a new check be issued to me?
Msmcm59
December 10, 2018
Just found my check today and it's one week past the Nov.26th dead line. Can I still get check verified and cashed at my bank or what do I need to do. Thank you
FTC Staff
December 10, 2018

In reply to by Msmcm59

Please call the company the FTC hired to manage the refund process. That is Rust Consulting, at 1-866-730-8147.

imlost
December 05, 2018
I just received my check due to a move. It said that it's void after November 26, 2018. Am I too late to deposit? It sure would come in handy at Christmas time...
MsBrown
December 10, 2018
Does anyone know when the next batches of checks will be mailed out?
MzNiree
December 10, 2018
Quick question regarding these checks? I know I have had loans with both of these lenders. So do they give you a check for both combined or one for each lender?
FTC Staff
December 10, 2018

In reply to by MzNiree

You might get one check or you might get more than one check. The number of checks you get is connected to the name, address and account information the FTC found about you.

The FTC tried to combine information about accounts so it could send one check to each person. But sometimes it wasn't clear whether information was about one person or two people. When information was not clear, we did not combine it. For example, we did not combine accounts that had a maiden name and a married name, or accounts that had one name but two addresses. When we saw that, we sent separate checks.

bb
December 11, 2018
Does it actually take 4 to 6 weeks to reissue a check. Or less than that?
kb
December 11, 2018
Are the reissue requests sent out for verification and then processed? Anyone know when the next batch of checks are going out? Or how often they go out?
SC
December 13, 2018
I just recieved my check in the mail. Today is 12/13. Can I still cash mine?
Michele
December 14, 2018
I got mine past cash date due to moving. I sent it back so I could have them reissue a new one at current address. Has anyone done this? How long before you received it?
Ray
December 25, 2018

In reply to by Michele

I also received mine past the void date. I returned my check last week. Will call tomorrow to follow up.
Ohsuziqu
December 17, 2018
I just received my check today and it expired 11/26/2018. What can I do?