I Works, Inc.

Also known as: I Works, IWorks.

The FTC alleged that I Works enrolled consumers in deceptive trial memberships for government-grant and money-making products and charged recurring fees without consent. Courts later entered settlements and a final judgment in the case.

1Official action

$280.9MAlleged consumer losses

$280.9MRedress ordered

Resolved. Refunded, settled, ceased operating, or the claim did not hold up. Kept for the record.

Identity

Published so you can confirm this entry refers to the party you are checking, and not to somebody who shares a name.

Registrations: FTC v. I Works, Inc. (FTC case 102-3015, 2010)
Jurisdictions: United States (federal)

Courts imposed judgments after deceptive billing allegations

The FTC alleged that I Works used websites promoting government grants and money-making products to enroll consumers in deceptive trial memberships. Consumers were asked for card information to cover a small shipping fee, then were allegedly charged one-time fees of up to $129.95, recurring fees of up to $59.95, and fees for unrelated programs. The complaint also alleged unauthorized bank debits and recurring charges that were not clearly disclosed.

A federal court froze the assets of 61 corporations collectively known as I Works and placed them under a receiver. Later releases report settlements with individual defendants. In 2016, the FTC said a $280.9 million judgment against Jeremy Johnson, I Works, and 26 corporate defendants represented consumers’ unreimbursed losses. That judgment was partially suspended upon the transfer of frozen assets. Other defendant-specific judgments were suspended based on inability to pay.

The releases also report court findings. A court granted summary judgment against I Works and other corporate defendants on five complaint counts and held Jeremy Johnson and Ryan Riddle personally liable. Following a later trial, the court found Terrason Spinks and Jet Processing Inc. liable for more than $280 million in consumer harm and imposed a $280,911,870 judgment. The final order banned them from selling grant and money-making products.

What is not established

Several defendants resolved claims through consent or stipulated orders rather than findings after trial. The releases separately identify the corporate summary judgment and the trial findings against Spinks and Jet Processing. The source set does not provide one exact total showing how much money the FTC ultimately recovered across all defendants.

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First recorded January 27, 2011 · Last updated August 29, 2017