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The Federal Trade Commission is mailing 4,380 checks totaling more than $550,000 to people harmed by Houston-based Goldman Schwartz, Inc., a debt collection operation that also used other business names, including Cole, Tanner & Wright and Harris County Check Recovery.

The FTC sued Goldman Schwartz for multiple law violations, including making false threats and collecting bogus attorney’s fees and other unauthorized charges. The defendants were banned from the debt collection business under a settlement with the FTC.

Injured consumers will receive approximately 28 percent of the money they paid Goldman Schwartz. The average check amount is $127.

The FTC never requires consumers to pay money or provide account information to cash a refund check. Recipients should deposit or cash checks within 60 days. If they have questions about the case, they should contact the FTC’s refund administrator, Rust Consulting Inc., at 866-683-7387.

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.