The Federal Trade Commission is mailing 2,897 checks totaling more than $113,000 to fully refund consumers who bought FlexiPrin, a deceptively marketed joint pain supplement. The average check amount is $39.18.
In February 2017, the FTC and the Maine Attorney General charged XXL Impressions LLC, Jeffrey R. Powlowsky, J2 Response LLP, Justin Bumann, Justin Steinle, Synergixx, LLC, Charlie Fusco, Ronald Jahner, and Brazos Minshew with making false and misleading claims regarding FlexiPrin’s effectiveness for treating joint pain. The complaint also alleged the defendants failed to disclose that Jahner, who was presented as an objective medical expert, was paid a percentage of FlexiPrin sales.
The court order settling the charges barred the defendants from the illegal conduct alleged in the complaint and required them to pay money to the FTC to provide refunds to deceived consumers. While the defendants sold multiple dietary supplements, this mailing is only to consumers who bought FlexiPrin.
In April 2018, the FTC sent a similar refund mailing to consumers who bought CogniPrin, another supplement the defendants deceptively marketed as a “memory improvement” aid.
Rust Consulting, Inc., the refund administrator, will begin mailing checks today. Recipients should cash their checks within 60 days, as indicated on the check. The FTC never requires consumers to pay money or provide information to cash refund checks. Consumers who have questions about the mailing should call 1-800-598-3025.
FTC law enforcement actions led to more than $2.3 billion in refunds for consumers in a one-year period between July 2017 and June 2018. To learn more about the FTC’s refund program, visit www.ftc.gov/refunds.
The Federal Trade Commission works to promote competition, and protect and educate consumers. You can learn more about consumer topics and file a consumer complaint online or by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357). Like the FTC on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, read our blogs, and subscribe to press releases for the latest FTC news and resources.