WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has announced the distribution of over $15.5 million in refunds to nearly 43,000 consumers who were misled by deceptive advertising from Career Step, LLC, an online career training company. The settlement compensates individuals, including servicemembers and their spouses, who were deceived by false claims about job placement guarantees, career outcomes, externships, and partnerships with major employers.
The FTC’s investigation revealed that Career Step targeted military families through publications and events tied to the military. The company also used incentivized reviews to create a misleading image of its programs. These practices, the FTC alleged, violated federal law by misrepresenting the value and credibility of Career Step’s services.
Under the terms of the settlement, Career Step paid $15.5 million for refunds and canceled almost $28 million in student debts for those who enrolled between February 2020 and February 2023. This debt relief excludes loans from federal or private institutions and military benefits. Additionally, the company is prohibited from using deceptive advertising for any educational products or services in the future.
Refunds are being provided via checks and PayPal payments to 42,794 eligible individuals who enrolled in the programs between August 2018 and September 2024. The FTC urges recipients to act quickly, as checks must be cashed within 90 days, and PayPal payments must be redeemed within 30 days.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.