06.07.10
The Federal Trade Commission has distributed more than 2335 refund checks to consumers who purchased “Rite Aid Germ Defense” tablets and lozenges believing that they would prevent and treat colds and the flu or reduce the severity and duration of these illnesses.
The FTC charged Rite Aid and its supplier with false and deceptive advertising as part of its crackdown on companies making unproven claims about cold and flu remedies.
The refund checks were mailed on June 7, 2010. Under the settlement with Rite Aid, consumers could submit refund requests for up to six packages of Germ Defense, either electronically or by mail, by January 30, 2010. All claims submitted by the deadline are being paid, with the average check totaling about $20.44. This was the first FTC case in which consumers had the option of submitting electronic claims. These are legitimate checks, and the FTC urges consumers to cash them.
The refunds stem from a July 2009 FTC complaint against Rite Aid. According to the complaint, Rite Aid marketed several flavors of Germ Defense lozenges and tablets and claimed they could: reduce the risk of, or prevent, colds and flu; protect against or fight germs; reduce the severity or duration of a cold; protect against colds and flu in crowded places; and boost the immune system. The FTC charged that there was inadequate evidence to support these claims.
The FTC charged Rite Aid and its supplier with false and deceptive advertising as part of its crackdown on companies making unproven claims about cold and flu remedies.
The refund checks were mailed on June 7, 2010. Under the settlement with Rite Aid, consumers could submit refund requests for up to six packages of Germ Defense, either electronically or by mail, by January 30, 2010. All claims submitted by the deadline are being paid, with the average check totaling about $20.44. This was the first FTC case in which consumers had the option of submitting electronic claims. These are legitimate checks, and the FTC urges consumers to cash them.
The refunds stem from a July 2009 FTC complaint against Rite Aid. According to the complaint, Rite Aid marketed several flavors of Germ Defense lozenges and tablets and claimed they could: reduce the risk of, or prevent, colds and flu; protect against or fight germs; reduce the severity or duration of a cold; protect against colds and flu in crowded places; and boost the immune system. The FTC charged that there was inadequate evidence to support these claims.