WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced it is sending more than $6.7 million in refunds to consumers who were misled by Arise Virtual Solutions, a gig work company accused of making deceptive claims about potential earnings on its platform.
According to the FTC, the refunds will reach 98,254 consumers nationwide who signed up with Arise after being promised lucrative work-from-home opportunities that often failed to materialize.
Allegations of Misleading Earnings Claims
In its July 2024 complaint, the FTC alleged that Arise targeted individuals seeking remote work—including stay-at-home parents and others looking to support their families—with ads promoting customer service jobs that purportedly paid “up to $18 per hour.”
The FTC said these claims were misleading because many consumers did not earn anywhere near the advertised amounts and were often left with unrealistic expectations about their potential income.
The complaint alleged that Arise violated:
- The FTC Act, by making false and deceptive representations about job earnings; and
- The Business Opportunity Rule, by failing to disclose required information about the basis for its income claims.
Settlement and Refunds
Under the July 2024 settlement order, Arise agreed to:
- Pay $7 million to compensate affected consumers.
- Stop making unsubstantiated earnings claims unless it can provide credible evidence to support them.
- Refrain from making false or misleading statements about potential income opportunities offered through its platform.
The FTC is now distributing $6.7 million from the settlement to impacted consumers. Recipients are urged to cash their checks within 90 days of receipt, as noted on each check.
Consumers with questions about the refunds can contact the refund administrator, Epiq Systems, at 888-998-8059.
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