$10.9M Financial Education Services FTC Refund, Did You Pay FES, United Wealth Education, or United Wealth Services?

The Federal Trade Commission is sending more than $10.9 million in refund checks to 443,048 consumers who paid Financial Education Services (FES) — also known as United Wealth Education and United Wealth Services — between May 2019 and May 2022. The FTC sued FES in 2022, alleging the Michigan-based company lured consumers with low credit scores using false promises of easy credit fixes, then recruited them into a pyramid scheme. Checks are already in the mail. If you received one, you must cash it within 90 days.

Field	Detail
Settlement Amount	$10.9 million (distributed)
Claim Deadline	No claim filing required — checks mailed automatically
Who Qualifies	Paid FES, United Wealth Education, United Credit Education Services, or United Wealth Services between May 2019–May 2022
Payout Per Person	~$25 average (pro-rata, based on fees paid)
Proof Required	No
Settlement Status	Finally Approved — payments in progress (March 2026)
Administrator	Analytics — 1-833-699-7995 / [email protected]
Official Website	ftc.gov/enforcement/refunds/financial-education-services-settlement

Where things stand right now:

• The FTC secured final settlements against FES and its owners and operators in August 2024, requiring them to permanently end their practices and turn over funds for injured consumers.
• Refund checks began mailing in March 2026. Recipients have 90 days from the check issue date to cash them.
• Individual defendants received lifetime bans from the credit repair industry and from operating multi-level marketing schemes.

How FES and United Wealth Education Targeted Consumers with Low Credit Scores

Federal regulators alleged that the Michigan-based company ran a two-pronged deceptive strategy. First, FES targeted people with low credit scores by promising to erase negative information — foreclosures, bankruptcies, and student loan defaults — from their credit reports.

Second, FES allegedly operated a pyramid scheme that pushed those same consumers to recruit others into the program. The company charged consumers as much as $89 per month, often collecting prohibited upfront fees before providing any actual services — a direct violation of the Credit Repair Organizations Act (CROA).

The FTC also alleged FES made inflated income claims, telling consumers they could earn tens of thousands of dollars by bringing in new agents. In reality, most agents lost money. The FTC originally alleged $213 million in total consumer harm across the entire scheme.

Did You Pay FES? Here’s Whether You Qualify for a Refund Check

You do not need to file a claim. The FTC and its refund administrator, Analytics, have already identified eligible consumers using payment records from the settlement. Checks go out automatically.

You may qualify if:

• You paid Financial Education Services (FES) for credit repair services between May 2019 and May 2022
• You paid United Wealth Education, United Credit Education Services, Youth Financial Literacy Foundation, or United Wealth Services during that same window
• You were charged upfront fees for credit repair services that were never delivered
• You joined as a “credit repair agent” and paid fees to recruit others into the FES program
• You received an official refund check in the mail from the administrator, Analytics

You do not qualify if you paid for services entirely before May 2019 or after May 2022, as that period falls outside the covered timeframe confirmed by the FTC.

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How Much Is the FES Refund Check Worth?

The original FTC judgment against FES was $324 million, but only approximately $12 million was actually collected from the defendants. When $10.9 million is divided among 443,048 affected consumers, the average check comes to roughly $25.

Individual check amounts vary. Each person’s refund reflects a pro-rata share of the total fund based on how much they paid FES. Consumers who paid more in monthly fees or recruited fees may receive slightly more. The FTC does not publish individual payout amounts in advance.

This is not the full amount consumers lost — it represents the portion the FTC successfully recovered from FES and its owners after the 2024 settlement.

How to Cash Your FES Refund Check — and What to Watch Out For

There is no online claim portal and no form to submit. If you qualify, your check arrived by mail in March 2026.

Step 1 — Check your mail for an envelope from Analytics, the FTC’s refund administrator

Step 2 — Verify the check references the Financial Education Services / FES settlement

Step 3 — Cash or deposit the check at your bank within 90 days of the issue date printed on it

Step 4 — If you believe you qualify but did not receive a check, contact Analytics directly at 1-833-699-7995 or email [email protected]

Step 5 — If anyone contacts you asking for payment, bank account numbers, or gift cards to “release” your refund, report it immediately at ReportFraud.ftc.gov — this is a scam

Estimated time to complete: 5 minutes

Key Dates in the FES / Financial Education Services Case

Milestone	Date
FTC Files Lawsuit Against FES	May 2022
Court Temporarily Shuts Down FES	May 2022
Court Converts TRO to Monitorship	June 30, 2022
Final Settlement Order Entered	August 5, 2024
Permanent Bans Issued Against All Defendants	August 2024
FTC Begins Mailing $10.9M in Refund Checks	March 2026
Check Cash-by Deadline	90 days from check issue date
Expected Completion of Distribution	TBD

Frequently Asked Questions About the FES / Financial Education Services Refund

Do I need to file a claim to get my FES refund check?

 No. The FTC and its refund administrator, Analytics, identify eligible consumers automatically using payment records from the settlement. If you qualify and paid FES between May 2019 and May 2022, your check arrives by mail with no action required on your part.

Is this FES refund check legitimate — or a scam?

 The checks are real and come from Analytics, the FTC’s official refund administrator. The FTC never requires people to pay money or provide account information to receive a refund. If anyone asks you for payment or personal banking details to release your check, that is a scam — report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

When will I receive my FES payment? 

The FTC began mailing checks to 443,048 affected customers in March 2026. If your check has not arrived and you believe you qualify, contact Analytics at 1-833-699-7995 or email [email protected].

What if I missed the 90-day deadline to cash my FES check?

 Your check becomes void after 90 days from the issue date. Contact Analytics at 1-833-699-7995 before the deadline passes. Once expired, uncashed funds typically return to the FTC or get redistributed — contact the administrator immediately if you missed the window.

Will my FES refund check affect my taxes?

 Refund payments from FTC enforcement actions may be taxable income depending on your individual circumstances. The FTC does not provide tax guidance. Consult a tax professional if you are unsure how this payment affects your return.

FES operated under multiple names — does it matter which one I paid? 

No. The scheme used many names including FES, United Wealth Education, and United Wealth Services. The FTC’s settlement and refund program covers all of them. If you paid any of these entities between May 2019 and May 2022, you are in the same eligible group.

What happened to FES and its owners after the settlement? 

The August 2024 settlement resulted in a $324 million judgment, with approximately $12 million actually collected. Founders received permanent bans on credit repair and multi-level marketing activities. The suspended $312 million judgment can be reinstated if they violate settlement terms.

Can I fix my credit myself without paying a company like FES? 

Yes. No credit repair company can legally remove accurate negative information from your credit report. Everything FES charged consumers for — disputing errors — you can do for free at AnnualCreditReport.com or by contacting the three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) directly.

Sources & References

• FTC Official Settlement Page: ftc.gov/enforcement/refunds/financial-education-services-settlement
• FTC Press Release (March 2026): ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2026/03/ftc-sends-more-109-million-consumers-harmed-credit-repair-pyramid-scheme
• FTC Case Docket — Financial Education Services: ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/cases-proceedings/2223030-financial-education-services

Last Updated: March 28, 2026

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Legal claims and outcomes depend on specific facts and applicable law. For advice regarding a particular situation, consult a qualified attorney.