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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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Ray
December 26, 2018

In reply to by Ohsuziqu

Call the number on the letter that you received. There is an option on there to have your check reissued. It will tell you to send the check to the address provided. I will make a copy or write down the reference number before you do as you will need that number if you call in. This happened to me. I called today; They received my voided check on 12/18 and said it wouldn’t get reissued until sometime in Jan. Mine went to wrong address.
Rick1954
December 20, 2018
no one answer people questions, letter said partial does that mean another check is coming , next door neighbor got a second check,11/19/2018
Ray
December 26, 2018

In reply to by Rick1954

No. Everyone that receives a letter says partial refund. And you can call the number on the letter and speak to a representative. They will tell you if you are to receive more than one check.
AB
December 21, 2018
I sent my check back beginning of December since it had expired by the time it got to me. They said my information had been updated on Dec. 12th. I read the comments and called Rust to ask when the next batch of checks would go out but they couldn't tell me anything. I see a lot of people have asked on here with no answers when will the next batch of checks go out? Is there a way to check the status or where it is in the process or a date of the next mailing??
Sfabbri196
January 17, 2019

In reply to by AB

Same exact thing and same exact date. I sent them the check back on December 3rd. I called on December 18th. They said they received it on the 12th of December and a new check will be sent out January 12th, 2019. As of today we haven't received anything. They told me twice it was being mailed on January 12th.
erikaruyle
February 12, 2019
Got my 1st partial refund check months ago. when will I get my next check?
Mary Pete
December 25, 2018
My letter said a partial payment. Will I receive another check? If so when?
MsBrown
December 28, 2018
Will the government shut down affect anyone receiving a check from this settlement?
TM
December 31, 2018
Just called to check status of reissue of check. I return check for a reissue since it was past the 60 day to cash, they received 12/03/2018 in process of voiding and reissue, agent stated they would not reissue until January 2019 as the voiding reissue process does take 4 to 6 weeks.
Mynt25
February 12, 2019
I have moved since my last loan. How do I inform you of my new address? Thank you
FTC Staff
February 12, 2019

In reply to by Mynt25

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

LateMail
January 03, 2019
What can be done if received after November 26, 2018 and haven’t cashed check?
Pammyjo29
January 08, 2019
Do you have to pay taxes on the AMG class action suit?
FTC Staff
February 13, 2019

In reply to by Pammyjo29

The FTC will not send you an IRS Form 1099 related to your partial refund check. The FTC doesn't give tax advice; you could talk with someone at the IRS or a tax professional about your question.

Dally@12227
January 09, 2019
Do anybody knows when is the next batch will be out?
Marcopolo
January 15, 2019
My check was lost in the mail so I sent it back to get another check issued how long will it take to get the check back?
juanleo
January 23, 2019
I suppose this check is taxable?
FTC Staff
February 13, 2019

In reply to by juanleo

The FTC will not send you an IRS Form 1099 related to your partial refund check. The FTC doesn't give tax advice; you could talk with someone at the IRS or a tax professional about your question.

Pineapples1710
January 24, 2019
My check has expired. I thought it was junk mail. How do I get it reissued. Help
FTC Staff
February 12, 2019

In reply to by Pineapples1710

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

Dawnm....
February 13, 2019
Will we be getting taxed on this for our 2017 taxes
FTC Staff
February 13, 2019

In reply to by Dawnm....

The FTC will not send you an IRS Form 1099 related to your partial refund check. The FTC doesn't give tax advice; you could talk with someone at the IRS or a tax professional about your question.

LI325
January 28, 2019
I sent my expired check back via next day mail Dec. 6th. They said it was received and would be 4-6 weeks for it to be reissued everytime I call. It's now going in week 8 and I have not received my reissued check. Can anyone tell me when reissued checks will be sent? An actual date not "4-6 weeks" because that was not accurate.
FTC Staff
February 13, 2019

In reply to by LI325

The reissue checks delayed by the government shutdown will be mailed on February 14, 2019.

jewell36
January 28, 2019
I am a customer but wasn't informed of the lawsuit, can I still file?
Madge
January 30, 2019

In reply to by jewell36

I had to send mine back to because i had no idea i was getting a check or of the law suit. I also didn't receive a notice about the suit. This may be because i moved and that notice got lost. When i did see the check it was expired because i had no idea to watch for it so it got misplaced in the house. But anyway i sent the check back to get it reissued about Nov 19th. I called just a few days ago to see how long the check would take to get reissued. I was told 4 to 6 weeks BUT because of the gov partial shut down it will take longer...so im hoping now that the partial shut down is over they will send the check before the possible shut down again on Feb 15th...
kb
January 29, 2019
My check was received by the rusk com on Dec 7. Now that the government is open. when will the reissued checks be sent out. Will it take another month? the rusk company is not providing any information.
FTC Staff
February 13, 2019

In reply to by kb

The reissue checks delayed by the government shutdown will be mailed on February 14, 2019.

kb
January 29, 2019
when will reissued checks be sent because he govt is open. the rusk comp received my old check on dec 7 2018. they are not provided any update information
Kb
January 30, 2019
I have left 2 post. Don’t see them. Now when you call 18667308147. The message says the office is closed. Is this a scam.
Poppy of 14
January 30, 2019
Will we be getting a 1099 for federal tax purposes or is this money not required to be claimed on our federal taxes? I got 1401.00.
FTC Staff
February 13, 2019

In reply to by Poppy of 14

The FTC will not send you an IRS Form 1099 related to your partial refund check. The FTC doesn't give tax advice; you could talk with someone at the IRS or a tax professional about your question.

maximus
January 31, 2019
I received the check and the date expired I sent it back on the 11th of December haven't received a new one yet how long does it take to be reissued
LI325
February 02, 2019
I called the number for the check reissue and their answer said they thought it would be the end of January but they don't know now due to the shutdown. But they had my information updated well before the shutdown even went into effect. It's been 9 weeks now. Who can I call to find out when I will receive my check. This doesn't seem right that they are holding it this long.
Shelli
February 04, 2019
I returned my expired check for a reissue; i called the toll free number and was advised that due to the shutdown there is a delay with re-issues. She advised once they get the "go ahead" to reissue checks, it will take 6-8 weeks. If we are entitled to this money, why do we have to wait that long??? And if so, will there be interest accruing for us as well. Seems a bit unfair since they recd the un-cashed check back over a month ago
FTC Staff
February 13, 2019

In reply to by Shelli

The reissue checks delayed by the government shutdown will be mailed on February 14, 2019.

Eddy2003
February 05, 2019
Do we claim as income at tax filing time?? Anybody know for sure?
FTC Staff
February 13, 2019

In reply to by Eddy2003

The FTC will not send you an IRS Form 1099 related to your partial refund check. The FTC doesn't give tax advice; you could talk with someone at the IRS or a tax professional about your question.

SL72
February 05, 2019
I called today for a check mailed back in December to be reissued. Stated no checks are being reissued due to government shutdown and FTC not communicating with them? How hard is it to reissue a check? The government is open
jordan762
February 05, 2019
When will reissue checks from December 2018 for amg case be mailed...delay due to govt shutdown
LaShawn325
February 05, 2019
I received a check in the mail however I thought it was junk mail. When I finally opened the check it was no longer valid. I requested to have the check reissued back in December by following the proper steps from the refund hotline. I still have not received another check. It's been roughly 9 weeks.
Csart
February 05, 2019
I didn't get my letter n check until January and it is dated september... so check is no longer valid. Called the number on the letter and it said to return checks if you need a new one issued. It's been almost a month... did I lose out?
VickyRenee
February 07, 2019
I just realized I had this check. It came in envelope that looked like junk mail and I am just now opening it! It's void now, guess I missed out, dang.
FTC Staff
February 12, 2019

In reply to by VickyRenee

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

Amy F B
February 09, 2019
I sent a check back in January to get reissued. Called Friday 2/4 and they said they’d received my check and that the new checks will be reissued in 1-2 weeks because of the shut down backlog.
Crumes12
February 11, 2019
I just went through some of my backed up mail and opened my letter and check. Is there any way to be able to cash it now?
FTC Staff
February 12, 2019

In reply to by Crumes12

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

bob12335
February 12, 2019
FTC did the lawsuit was for the company you hired to distributed the money or consumers. Because this company keep all their money to themselves.
bill2501
February 13, 2019
Is this refund taxable?
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