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Beginning today, a claims administrator working for the Federal Trade Commission will mail more than 16,000 checks to consumers who were victims of Stewart Finance Company.

In September 2003, the FTC charged Stewart, seven related companies, and their principals with deceiving consumers, many of them elderly, by packing optional products such as accidental death and dismemberment insurance and membership in roadside assistance clubs onto small personal loans. The agency also alleged that Stewart deceptively induced consumers to participate in a free “direct deposit” program that was not in fact free, and encouraged them to incur additional costs and fees by repeatedly refinancing their loans. In addition, the complaint charged that the company failed to provide consumers who were denied loans with federally required “adverse action” notices, and placed illegal liens on borrowers’ household goods. The company settled the FTC charges.

The settlement required the companies to shut down and to agree to the entry of a financial judgment. In addition, certain amounts were owed by individual defendants and directed to a consumer redress fund.

In September 2009 the FTC administrator issued a first round of checks to Stewart Finance victims in the average amount of $54.82. Residual funds are now being sent to 16,291 consumers. The average amount of the checks is $23.40. Consumers who have questions can call 1-800-925-2505.

These consumer redress checks can be cashed directly by the recipients of the checks. The FTC never requires the payment of money up-front, or the provision of additional information, before consumers cash redress checks issued to them.

The Federal Trade Commission works for consumers to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices and to provide information to help spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint in English or Spanish, visit the FTC’s online Complaint Assistant or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357). The FTC enters complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to more than 1,800 civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad. The FTC’s website provides free information on a variety of consumer topics.

(stewart)