Shoemaker Scam: $1.9m FTC Payback

If you bought Hey Dude shoes online and experienced shipping issues, you might be due some cash. The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is sending payouts totalling $1.9 million to over 30,000 customers as part of a settlement with the company.

"As this case makes clear, when retailers publish consumer reviews online, they cannot suppress negative reviews to paint a deceptive picture of the consumer experience. And when retailers don’t ship merchandise on time, they must give buyers the option to cancel their orders and promptly get their money back." Samuel Levine, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection

According to the FTC, Hey Dude failed to notify customers of shipping delays and violated the Mail Order Rule by issuing gift cards instead of cash refunds. The company was also caught suppressing negative reviews, with the FTC alleging that between January and June 2022, over 80% of reviews that were less than four stars out of five were not published.

Who Gets a Payout?

The FTC is distributing the funds to 36,757 customers. If you're eligible, you'll get an email from no-reply@consumersentinel.gov and then another from PayPal within 24 hours regarding your payment. Payments will be sent via PayPal and must be redeemed within 30 days.

For more information on FTC refund payments, check out their FAQ page. For specific inquiries about your payment or eligibility, contact JND Legal Administration at 877-495-1096.