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The FTC is sending refund checks to more than 541,000 people who paid for repairs and technical services when they took their computers to Office Depot or Office Max stores for a free “PC Health Check.” The FTC says that, between 2009 and November 2016, Office Depot and a software provider did scans and told people their computers had malware symptoms — only it wasn’t true. Many customers who got false scan results were then tricked into buying computer diagnostic and repair services.

The average refund in this case is $63. Any check that’s part of an FTC settlement comes with an explanation and details about the case. And you’ll find the case listed in the FTC’s chart of recent cases resulting in refunds. Remember that the FTC never requires you to pay a fee, and never asks for information like your Social Security or bank account number. If someone says they’re from the FTC but asks for money, that’s a scam. Please tell the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint.

To get data about this mailing – like how many checks went to your state or the percentage of checks cashed so far – visit the FTC’s interactive dashboard for refund data. Choose “Office Depot” from the “Select a Case” box in the top right corner, then click on your state on the map.

If you have questions about your check, call the administrator at 855-915-0916.

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The purpose of this blog and its comments section is to inform readers about Federal Trade Commission activity, and share information to help them avoid, report, and recover from fraud, scams, and bad business practices. Your thoughts, ideas, and concerns are welcome, and we encourage comments. But keep in mind, this is a moderated blog. We review all comments before they are posted, and we won’t post comments that don’t comply with our commenting policy. We expect commenters to treat each other and the blog writers with respect.

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We don't edit comments to remove objectionable content, so please ensure that your comment contains none of the above. The comments posted on this blog become part of the public domain. To protect your privacy and the privacy of other people, please do not include personal information. Opinions in comments that appear in this blog belong to the individuals who expressed them. They do not belong to or represent views of the Federal Trade Commission.

Mimi212
February 20, 2020
How do I find out if I am to get a check? I've moved twice since I took my computer in to Office Depot.
FTC Staff
February 20, 2020

In reply to by Mimi212

If you have questions about your check, call the administrator                     at 855-915-0916.

Roberta Rich
February 20, 2020

In reply to by FTC Staff

I bought a 1,000. computer from them before they closed up, 6 years ago, in Redding, CA. It broke down completely 3 years later. I had to have it repaired and it has never worked the same since. Can I find out if I have something coming please?
FTC Staff
February 20, 2020

In reply to by Roberta Rich

The FTC is sending refund checks to people who paid for repairs and technical services when they took their computers to Office Depot or Office Max stores for a free “PC Health Check.”  

Don't use your…
February 20, 2020
Dear Responsible, I'm very pleased to receive this message about$34 millions depot customer. I would ask if this fund may be use by me?
FTC Staff
February 20, 2020

In reply to by Don't use your…

If you have questions about your check, call the administrator                      at 855-915-0916.

Ms.Muggi
February 20, 2020
Great work FTC
Jarv
February 20, 2020
I took several laptops there. How do I join this to get a refund ?
FTC Staff
February 21, 2020

In reply to by Jarv

The FTC will send refund checks to people who were affected.

The FTC will send checks to more than 541,000 people who paid for repairs and technical services when they took their computers to Office Depot or Office Max stores between 2009 and November 2016 for a free “PC Health Check."

The FTC says that, between 2009 and November 2016, Office Depot and a software provider did scans and told people their computers had malware symptoms — only it wasn’t true. Many customers who got false scan results were then tricked into buying computer diagnostic and repair services.

Honor
February 21, 2020
Thanks for going after the bad guys and forcing them to be accountable, ftc.
2RNitschDon't …
February 21, 2020
I took my less than a year old Dell laptop to Office Depot, I needed Windows 10 installed plus a security program. While there, the bldg had an electrical shortage outage. I got my computer home, and there was TONS of virus' and malware on the computer. Windows 10 wasn't installed, it started installation, then the employee changed it to Windows 7. I was never able to use that computer again. Yeah, we deserve compensation, but this is THE 1st I've heard of the FTC's involvement. Of course, they denied the trouble was on their end upon my confrontation, so, there goes another 1K, AGAIN!
Don't use your…
February 27, 2020
My computer was fairly new, 8 month old. Window's 10 had just come out and was a Free Down Load. I couldn't get it to down load right so I took it to Office Maxs and they charged me 180.00 some dollars .. I was totally shocked that it would cost that kind of money.
mike
March 02, 2020
Why did i get a low amount in my check refund after i have spent over $300 in computer updates / upgrades / computer products / etc..... in reference to this issue case. SAD VERY SAD VERY DISAPPOINTING! MIKE B - Oldsmar THKS for your understanding.
Maebary
February 28, 2020
I paid over 300.00 for repairs TWICE, the computer never worked after second attempted. It was just a few years old. And cost well more than the repairs. Too bad we didnt know about this before receiving this info. I'd loved to gotten a complete refund.
L. Rosen
February 29, 2020
I just received the check. It is made out to my husband who has been deceased 6 years. How do I get the refund in my name?
Renata S
February 29, 2020
I just received my check , I had no idea about this, I thought it was a scam !
19leb7294
March 02, 2020
Hi, I received a refund check with a portion of my name misspelled. I called the number provided at 12:35PM on 2MAR2020 and the recording stated no one available, please advise.
FTC Staff
March 04, 2020

In reply to by 19leb7294

The call center had a temporary outage, but as of 3 pm Eastern on March 4, everything is working and representatives will answer your calls. Thank you for your patience.

DMitch
March 02, 2020
Today is not a federal holiday and I'm calling the Administrator during business hours, but your automatic message keeps telling me I'm calling outside of business hours! The refund check was made out to my husband who is deceased and I need to get it re-issued in my name. When will your system be taking calls?
FTC Staff
March 04, 2020

In reply to by DMitch

The call center had a temporary outage, but as of 3 pm Eastern on March 4, everything is working and representatives will answer your calls. Thank you for your patience.

Grandma's House
March 03, 2020
The name on the check for my refund is incorrect. I cannot find information on the website on how to get a new check. Thank you.
FTC Staff
March 04, 2020

In reply to by Grandma's House

If you have questions about your check, call the refund administrator at 855-915-0916.

KFox
March 03, 2020
My check bounced. And now, I got a returned check fee. I’m super confused.
FTC Staff
March 04, 2020

In reply to by KFox

You might have had a problem with your check if you did a mobile deposit and the image wasn't clear. Please call the refund administrator at 855-915-0916, explain what happened, and ask them to help you resolve the problem with your bank.

AJAL
March 04, 2020
Your telephone number offers the option to speak to an operator and then indicates that the call is outside of 9am-9pm Eastern and hangs up. I made the call in the at 1pm eastern - so how do I reach an operator about the check I received?
FTC Staff
March 04, 2020

In reply to by AJAL

The call center had a temporary outage, but as of 3 pm Eastern on March 4, everything is working and representatives will answer your calls. Thank you for your patience.

REPAIR?
March 04, 2020
Got the $63.65 check, that hardly covers the cost of the computer they talked my husband into buying AND the time spent with the KID that didn't have a clue on setting it up. Had to hire someone to come to our home and get it going since my husbands business stuff needed to be FOUND. Nightmare with Office Max . Check should have been more like $1635.65...………...
Bluebird
March 05, 2020
Why did I get a refund check stating, "I may of done business with Office Depot, OfficeMax and Support.com". I have not bought any of my computers there, but I have bought them from Best Buy. I have bought their service plans and have taken my computers to be serviced and have been told, the CPUs are going bad and need to be replaced. I Best Buy apart of this lawsuit?
Surprised!
March 05, 2020
Yippee!! Got a check, wasn't sure it was legit! Now I know it is!
Tashaxo
May 08, 2020
I’ve been scammed with 1,475 how am I able to to get that money back , it was for college
Camaro enthusiast
August 09, 2020
My ck is only for $54.10 , I’m still not sure if it’s a legit ck . Anyone else receive this ck amount
Kapstun
March 17, 2021
I just received a check dated 2-25-2021. Used my middle name as a first name. It looks legit but do not dare to cash as some good scammers out there. And why a year after sent to others (I have moved for job reasons a number of times since using these specific services)
Michael Breden
April 01, 2021
Im still waiting to get my second part of my refund! Where is it??????