WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has announced the distribution of more than $540,000 in refunds to 1,625 individuals targeted by unlawful debt collection practices. Each affected consumer is set to receive $334.38 as compensation for the deceptive and abusive tactics employed by the debt collection entities involved.
The refunds stem from legal actions taken by the FTC in 2020 against National Landmark Logistics and Absolute Financial Services, along with several affiliated entities operating under various names. The FTC accused these organizations of engaging in illegal robocalls aimed at intimidating consumers. Messages falsely claimed that unpaid debts could result in lawsuits or even arrests. Upon returning the calls, individuals were often misled into believing they were dealing with law or mediation firms, a ruse reinforced by the perpetrators’ use of personal data to make the threats appear credible.
The FTC further alleged that, in many cases, the debts were either nonexistent or not legally enforceable by the defendants. The settlement agreements reached with the accused parties barred them permanently from the debt collection industry and mandated financial restitution for the affected consumers.
The FTC’s action sends a clear message to the broader debt collection industry that illegal and deceptive practices will not be tolerated.
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