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An administrator working for the Â鶹´«Ã½ Trade Commission today began mailing refund checks to more than 4,800 consumers allegedly defrauded by National Card Monitor, LLC (National), a telemarketing operation that promised to substantially lower consumers’ credit card interest rates for an advance fee.

In July 2013, National settled an FTC complaint, agreeing to provide the FTC with lists of consumer victims and to have their assets frozen by the court. Based on the money recovered, a refund check for $25.13 will be mailed to defrauded consumers. The checks must be cashed within 60 days of when they are issued.

The FTC’s refund administrator in this matter is Gilardi & Co., LLC.  Consumers who have questions about the refund program or whether they may still qualify for a refund can call Gillard’s hotline number at 1-877-295-8829. The FTC also has a website where consumers may obtain general information about the agency’s consumer refund program and answers to frequently asked questions.  The FTC never requires consumers to pay money or provide information before redress checks can be cashed.

The Â鶹´«Ã½ 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 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 2,000 civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad. The FTC’s website provides . Like the FTC on , follow us on , and subscribe to press releases for the latest FTC news and resources.