FTC Refunds Bogus Spyware Scam Victims

Federal Trade Commission to provide refunds to victims of cyber crime spyware scam

More than 300,000 US consumers who were victims of an international spyware scam will receive refunds from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The FTC money for these refunds is the result of an $8 million settlement from defendants charged in the major spyware scam. Innovative Marketing, and others involved with the Ukrainian-founded company, agreed to pay a more than $8 million restitution to settle the Federal Trade Commission charges that they used deceptive advertising (warning users that their computer is infected with malware or spyware) could put money back in your pocket, if you fell for the scam. to trick consumers into thinking their computers were infected with spyware, and then sold them spyware removal software programs such as Winfixer, Drive Cleaner, and XP Antivirus to clean and remove their non-existent infection. Innovative is suspected to have made over $100 million from selling licenses for their fake spyware removal software.

The average refund payout will be about $20, but some customers will receive more, depending on what they paid for their user licenses. Those who receive the refund checks must cash them by the 60 day deadline. Unfortunately, email scammers are already trying to trick consumers into getting ripped-off even more. These spammers are telling consumers that they will only get their refunds after paying them a fee or providing personal information. The FTC never requires consumers to pay for or give out information before refund checks can be cashed.

Approximately 320,000 checks will be mailed by the Federal Trade Commission’s settlement administrator, Epiq Systems. The FTC settlement marks the first time such a large numbers of spyware scam victims will actually get their money back.

Spyware Scam victims who believe they are entitled to a refund or have questions may visit the Federal Trade Commission Refunds for more information.