FTC sends refunds to small business owners defrauded by deceptive robocalls
The FTC is sending payments to small business owners affected by an illegal robocall scheme. The defendants used several business names including Pointbreak Media, Modern Spotlight, National Business Listings, and Modern Source Media.
According to a lawsuit brought by the FTC, the defendants called thousands of small business owners, falsely claiming to represent Google and threatening that their business would be removed from Google search results unless they paid a fee. The defendants also placed follow-up calls to people who paid the fee and falsely claimed that for an additional fee they could guarantee top Google search placements for the business.
The FTC previously mailed checks in August 2020, March 2023, and January 2024, resulting in more than $1.8 million in refunds. Now, the FTC is reissuing checks to people who didn't cash their initial payment.
If you get a check, please cash it within 60 days.
You can find answers to common questions about refund payments on our FAQ page. If you have any other questions, please call the refund administrator at 1-833-928-2553.