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The Â鶹´«Ã½ Trade Commission is mailing 285,361 checks totaling more than $3.7 million to people who lost money to Fortune Hi-Tech Marketing (FHTM), a pyramid scheme whose operators were banned from multi-level marketing under a settlement with the FTC and the states of Illinois, Kentucky and North Carolina.

Recipients should deposit or cash checks within 60 days. It is possible that the FTC will have additional funds to distribute in the future, after lawsuits filed against FHTM’s highest earning sales representatives have been resolved.

The FTC never requires people to pay money or provide account information to cash refund checks. If you have questions about the case, contact the FTC’s refund administrator, Epiq Systems, Inc., at 800-964-0978. Learn more about the FTC’s refund program.

The Â鶹´«Ã½ Trade Commission works to promote competition, and protect and educate consumers. You can and file a consumer complaint online or by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357). Like the FTC on , follow us on , read our blogs and subscribe to press releases for the latest FTC news and resources.