This week, the FTC started sending out 460,000 checks to consumers who used the services of AmeriDebt, a credit counseling agency that has been banned from operating. The settlement checks are being sent to consumers who paid a fee to AmeriDebt between January 31, 1998 and October 7, 2004.
In November 2003, the FTC sued AmeriDebt for deceiving customers about the fees for their debt management plans and leading customers to believe the agency was non-profit.
In 2006, AmeriDebt's owner, Andris Pukke, was banned from the credit counseling and debt management industry and required to give up all his assets. In 2007, he was found in contempt of court for hiding some of his assets and ordered to turn those over as well. Pamela Pukke, Andris' wife, was also part of the lawsuit.
If you're part of the settlement, you don't have to do anything to receive your check except check the mail. The FTC used AmeriDebt records to figure out how much you should be paid. If believe you are entitled to part of the settlement, but don't receive a check by October 3, 2008, you can contact the FTC at 888-309-3816.
FTC Settlement of the AmeriDebt CaseRelated