FTC refunds customers in Publishers Clearing House sweepstakes case

CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) - The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has announced that over $18 million will be refunded to more than 281,724 Publishers Clearing House (PHC) customers.

According to the FTC complaint, Publishers Clearing House deceived consumers about their sweepstakes contests when the company used misleading language and designs on its website and email marketing that tricked consumers into believing they had to buy things on the PCH website to enter a sweepstakes, or that doing so would improve their chances of winning a prize.

As a result of a Federal Trade Commission lawsuit, Publishers Clearing House has agreed to a proposed court order that will require it to pay $18.5 million to consumers who spent money and make substantial changes to how it conducts business online.

Not every PCH customer is eligible for a refund. Only people who received and clicked on one of the PCH emails that the FTC stated were deceptive and then ordered a product will get a refund. Visit ftc.gov for questions about the refund process, or call the refund administrator at 1-888-516-0774.