The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is distributing over $5 million in refunds to victims of a fraudulent credit card debt relief scheme run by ACRO Services. The company and its operators were accused of deceptive practices that misled consumers about their ability to reduce or eliminate credit card debt.
In November 2022, the FTC filed a lawsuit against ACRO Services and its affiliates, including:
- American Consumer Rights Organization
- Consumer Protection Resources
- Reliance Solutions
- Thacker & Associates
- Tri Star Consumer Group
The company allegedly engaged in a telemarketing operation that promised to significantly reduce or eliminate credit card debt within 12 to 18 months. According to the FTC:
Consumers were charged thousands in upfront fees, falsely claimed to be part of the debt relief process.
Monthly fees of $20-$35 were charged for “credit monitoring” services. The promises made to customers were deceptive, and the company failed to deliver on its commitments.
The defendants agreed to a settlement that:
- Permanently bans them from the debt relief and telemarketing industries.
- Requires them to surrender assets, which are being used to refund victims.
- As part of the resolution, the FTC is now sending checks to 7,687 affected consumers.
Refund Checks: Eligible consumers will receive checks directly from the FTC. No additional steps are required to claim the refund.
Verification: For questions, contact the FTC at their official website to avoid falling victim to further scams.
This action by the FTC reinforces its commitment to holding deceptive companies accountable and protecting consumers from predatory practices. If you believe you’ve been targeted by a similar scheme, report it to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov.