FTC Begins Claims Process in Case Against Branford Based Weight Loss Operation

The Federal Trade Commission is mailing close to 450,000 claim forms to consumers who may have lost money after purchasing weight loss products marketed under various names including LeanSpa from a Branford based company.

According to the FTC website, the FTC along with the State of Connecticut sued the marketers of LeanSpa in 2011 for allegedly using fake news websites to promote their products, making fraudulent weight loss claims and charging consumers for products after advertising free trials.

According to NBC Connecticut, consumers were charged $79.95 after being told they would only have to pay for shipping and handling. Consumers also found recurring monthly payments on their credit cards that were hard to cancel.

The FTC reached a settlement with LeanSpa principal Boris Mizhen of Guilford in January. The settlement required Mizhen and the three companies he controls to surrender assets worth $7 million. The full cost of the settlement was $32.72 million.

Consumers will have up to 60 days to submit their claims online or by mail. Those who lost money but do not receive claim forms can call the administrator toll-free number 1-866-621-4156 or visit the FTC’s LeanSpa case web page.

Image via Shutterstock

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