Yes. You can file an FTC refund claim online yourself, for free, without a lawyer or paid recovery agent.
The FTC is the Federal Trade Commission, the federal agency that returns money to consumers harmed by deceptive business practices. The Federal Trade Commission publishes all active refund programs in its central refund directory, where each case lists eligibility, deadlines, and links to its claim portal. You find your case there, then follow that case's filing instructions before its deadline.
Official resources:
- Read the official notice from FTC — Use this primary source to verify the official announcement.
- Check eligibility on FTC’s official study page — Use this page to check the study’s participation requirements.
Table of Contents
- Where Do You Find Your Refund Case?
- Do You Need to File, or Is Payment Automatic?
- How Do You File Online Without a Lawyer?
- How Do You Get Paid and Spot a Scam?
Where Do You Find Your Refund Case?
Start at the FTC directory, not a search ad or third-party form. Each listing identifies the company involved, who qualifies, the filing deadline, and the official claim link.
Use only that link to file. If you received a notice by mail or email, it should include a claim number and direct you to the same case-specific portal. Keep that notice until you are paid.
Do You Need to File, or Is Payment Automatic?
Many FTC cases pay automatically when the agency already has contact and payment data for victims. In those cases there is no form to submit.
When the FTC lacks that data, affected consumers must apply through a case-specific online claims process using a mailed or emailed claim number, according to the Federal Trade Commission. Only consumers harmed by the named company during the covered period can claim, and a missed deadline or a case with no claims process means no payment.
How Do You File Online Without a Lawyer?
You submit the online claim yourself and can get free help from the listed claims administrator by phone, as reported by Tutela Digitalis in its compensation tracker overview. No lawyer or paid agent is required. For example, NGL users charged for unauthorized subscriptions could file at the case portal by April 6, 2026, with users under 18 requiring a parent to file, according to the Federal Trade Commission in its NGL refund claims announcement.
- Open your case page from the FTC directory
- Enter the claim number from your notice
- Confirm your contact information and eligibility
- Submit before the posted deadline and save your confirmation
How Do You Get Paid and Spot a Scam?
FTC payments are sent by check, prepaid debit card, PayPal, or Zelle through contracted administrators. The method varies by case and is stated in the case notice.
The Federal Trade Commission states in its refund program FAQs that it never requires an upfront fee or sensitive data such as Social Security or bank-account numbers to issue a refund. Any demand for payment to release an FTC refund is a scam, so do not pay and do not share those numbers.