Closed to new claimsSweepstakes and prizesPublishers Clearing House’s $18.5 Million FTC Settlement and November 2026 Refund Checks
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In November 2026, the Federal Trade Commission announced a second round of Publishers Clearing House refunds. It is sending 204,408 checks totaling more than $4.4 million to people who accepted their first payment. If you receive a new check, cash it within 90 days.
In April 2025, the FTC mailed 281,724 checks totaling more than $18 million to customers who received and clicked on one of PCH’s deceptive emails and then ordered a product. The FTC says that first round resulted in more than $13.3 million in refunds. It is using money remaining in the fund for the second round. There is no new application. For questions about your check, call the refund administrator, Rust Consulting, at 1-888-516-0774.
The FTC sued Publishers Clearing House in June 2023. It alleged that deceptive emails led customers to believe a purchase would improve their sweepstakes odds, that PCH added unexpected shipping and handling fees, and that customers paid return shipping despite promises of “risk-free” ordering. PCH agreed to pay $18.5 million for consumer refunds and to change its online sales practices.
Key facts
- Settlement amount
- PCH agreed to pay $18.5 million for consumer refunds
- First mailing (April 2025)
- 281,724 checks totaling more than $18 million
- First-round refunds
- More than $13.3 million, according to the FTC’s November 2026 update
- Second mailing (November 2026)
- 204,408 checks totaling more than $4.4 million for people who accepted their first payment
- Time to cash a new check
- Within 90 days
- Claim form required
- None for the November mailing. The FTC identifies recipients from the first payments.
- Case
- FTC v. Publishers Clearing House, LLC, No. 2:23-cv-04735 (E.D.N.Y.)
- Complaint filed
- June 26, 2023
- Refund administrator
- Rust Consulting, 1-888-516-0774
Official settlement administrator: Federal Trade Commission — Publishers Clearing House Refunds
Evidence for key facts
These excerpts record what official sources said when checked. Open a fact to see its source and supporting passage. Follow the source for the latest information.
Claim statusChecked
The FTC is sending a second round of checks to eligible Publishers Clearing House customers.
FTC refund update — November 2026 second checks, eligibility and 90-day cashing periodNovember 2026, opening paragraph
Who qualifiesChecked
Checks will be sent to people who ordered a product from Publishers Clearing House after receiving and clicking on one of the emails that the FTC alleged were deceptive.
FTC press release — FTC Sends More Than $18 Million to Consumers Harmed by Publishers Clearing HouseWhy didn’t I get a check? First-round purchase criteria
Who qualifiesChecked
to people who accepted their first payment.
FTC refund update — November 2026 second checks, eligibility and 90-day cashing periodNovember 2026, second-round recipient condition
Payment and benefitsChecked
204,408 checks totaling more than $4.4 million
FTC refund update — November 2026 second checks, eligibility and 90-day cashing periodNovember 2026, second-round count and total
Payment and benefitsChecked
more than $13.3 million in refunds.
FTC refund update — November 2026 second checks, eligibility and 90-day cashing periodNovember 2026, first-round outcome
Proof requirementsChecked
Because there is still money remaining in the fund, the FTC is sending 204,408 checks totaling more than $4.4 million to people who accepted their first payment.
FTC refund update — November 2026 second checks, eligibility and 90-day cashing periodNovember 2026, FTC sends checks to identified prior recipients without a new claim
Proof requirementsChecked
The Commission never requires people to pay money or provide account information to get a refund.
FTC press release — FTC Sends More Than $18 Million to Consumers Harmed by Publishers Clearing HouseApril 2025 FTC press release, refund instructions
Claim deadlineChecked
If you get a check, please cash it within 90 days.
FTC refund update — November 2026 second checks, eligibility and 90-day cashing periodNovember 2026, cashing instructions for new checks. No claim filing deadline.
Who qualifies
- For the April 2025 mailing, customers had to receive one of the PCH emails the FTC alleged was deceptive, click on it and then order a product.
- For the November 2026 mailing, the FTC is sending a second check to people who accepted their first payment. The FTC gives a total for this mailing and does not state a fixed amount for each check.
- Being a PCH customer, entering the sweepstakes, or receiving PCH mail was not enough on its own. The FTC was explicit that not every PCH customer was eligible.
- Recipients do not need to file a new claim, pay a fee or send proof of a purchase to receive the November check. Rust Consulting can answer questions about a particular payment at 1-888-516-0774.
How the FTC settlement and refund mailings work
- 1
June 2023 — the FTC sued PCH
The FTC lists the complaint and stipulated order in its June 26, 2023 case timeline. PCH agreed to pay $18.5 million for consumer refunds and to change its online sales practices.
- 2
What the FTC said PCH did
The complaint alleged PCH misled people about how to enter its sweepstakes, made them think a purchase was necessary to win or would increase their chances, told them their entries were incomplete when they were not, used email subject lines resembling official documents or tax forms, added shipping and handling fees that increased order costs by an average of 40%, and advertised ordering as "risk-free" while charging customers to return products.
- 3
April 2025 — the FTC mailed the first refund checks
The FTC mailed 281,724 checks totaling more than $18 million after collecting the settlement money under the 2023 court order. In its November 2026 update, the FTC reported that the first round resulted in more than $13.3 million in refunds.
- 4
November 2026 — cash a second check within 90 days
The FTC is sending 204,408 additional checks totaling more than $4.4 million to customers who accepted their first payment. If you have a question about a check or expected a payment that has not arrived, call Rust Consulting at 1-888-516-0774.
- 5
Recognize a genuine FTC refund
The FTC never asks you to pay a fee or provide account information to receive a refund. If someone promises a prize or asks you to transfer money to collect a check, call the refund administrator using the number on the FTC’s refund page.
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Frequently asked questions
Is the Publishers Clearing House refund real?
Yes. The Federal Trade Commission mailed the first checks in April 2025. Its November 2026 update says it is sending a second round from the remaining funds to people who accepted their first payment.
Can I still get a Publishers Clearing House refund check?
If you accepted your first payment, the FTC says it is sending a second check in November 2026. Cash your new check within 90 days. There is no new claim form. If you have a question about your payment, call Rust Consulting at 1-888-516-0774.
Why didn't I get a Publishers Clearing House check?
The first mailing covered people who received and clicked on one of the emails the FTC alleged was deceptive, then ordered a product. The second mailing goes to people who accepted their first payment. Contact Rust Consulting at 1-888-516-0774 if you are unsure whether a check was issued to you.
How much was the Publishers Clearing House refund per person?
The April 2025 mailing totaled more than $18 million across 281,724 checks, roughly $64 per check on average. The FTC says the November 2026 mailing totals more than $4.4 million across 204,408 checks. It does not promise a particular second-check amount.
What did Publishers Clearing House do wrong?
According to the FTC's complaint, PCH used dark patterns to make customers believe a purchase was needed to enter its sweepstakes or would improve their odds, sent emails with subject lines that looked like official tax documents, added surprise shipping and handling fees that raised order costs by an average of 40%, and described ordering as "risk-free" while requiring customers to pay return shipping.
Is an FTC refund check a PCH sweepstakes prize?
The FTC is returning money for purchases made after customers clicked on deceptive emails. A sweepstakes entry alone does not qualify someone for a refund. The November 2026 mailing is for people who accepted their first FTC payment.
Sources and official records
Consult these records for the official terms and current updates. ClaimBee's summary helps explain the settlement; the administrator and court documents determine the claim requirements and benefits.
- FTC refund update — November 2026 second checks, eligibility and 90-day cashing period
- FTC press release — FTC Sends More Than $18 Million to Consumers Harmed by Publishers Clearing House
- FTC press release — FTC Takes Action Against Publishers Clearing House for Misleading Consumers About Sweepstakes Entries
- FTC case record — Publishers Clearing House, LLC (PCH), FTC v.
Page updates
The FTC’s November update announces a second round of 204,408 checks totaling more than $4.4 million for customers who accepted their first payment. Recipients should cash the new checks within 90 days.
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