The FTC confirmed on 20 February it is sending more than $34 million (€31 million) in refunds to Office Depot customers.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is sending refund checks totalling more than $34 million (€31 million) to consumers in the US who allegedly were tricked by Office Depot, Inc. and a software provider into buying computer repair products and services.
Office Depot paid $25 million (€23 million) while its software supplier, Support.com, Inc., paid $10 million (€9 million) as part of 2019 settlements with the FTC. The FTC alleged that Office Depot and Support.com configured a virus scanning program to report that it found symptoms of malware or infections, even when that was not true, whenever consumers answered yes to at least one of four “diagnostic” questions. The false scan results were then used to persuade consumers to purchase computer repair and technical services that could cost hundreds of dollars.
Office Depot refunds totalled $34 million (€31 million) with 541,247 checks issues at an average check amount of $63.35 (€57.91).
Recipients should deposit or cash checks within 60 days, as indicated on the check. The FTC confirmed it never requires people to pay money or provide account information to cash a refund check. If recipients have questions about the refunds, they should contact the FTC’s refund administrator, Epiq, at 1-855-915-0916.
