LeanSpa, LLC
The FTC and the State of Connecticut alleged that LeanSpa used fake news sites and misleading free-trial claims to sell weight-loss products. The case settled, and the FTC later distributed consumer refunds.
Resolved. Refunded, settled, ceased operating, or the claim did not hold up. Kept for the record.
Identity
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- Registrations
- FTC and State of Connecticut v. LeanSpa, LLC (FTC federal court action, 2011)
- Jurisdictions
- United States (federal)
Settlement and consumer refunds followed FTC allegations
The FTC and the State of Connecticut sued the marketers of LeanSpa in December 2011. They alleged that the operation used fake websites to promote acai berry and “colon cleanse” weight-loss products. The FTC case page says consumers were told that a free trial required only a nominal shipping and handling payment, but instead paid $79.95 for the trial and recurring monthly shipments that were difficult to cancel.
A related FTC release describes how LeadClick Media recruited affiliate marketers for LeanSpa. The court found LeadClick responsible for false claims on affiliate sites that used news organization names, logos, and purported customer testimonials. The court ordered LeadClick to surrender $11.9 million it had received from LeanSpa. That judgment was against LeadClick and its parent company, not LeanSpa.
LeanSpa and its principal settled the FTC and Connecticut complaint in 2014. They agreed to stop the challenged practices and surrender assets for consumer redress. In October 2015, the FTC mailed more than 23,000 checks totaling over $3.7 million to people who bought LeanSpa products. In December 2019, it sent a second round totaling over $321,000.
What is not established: The supplied documents describe allegations and a settlement. They do not report an admission by LeanSpa.
Sources
Every claim above rests on one of these. Open them and check.
- Enforcement action April 6, 2015
- Enforcement action December 16, 2019
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First recorded April 6, 2015 · Last updated December 16, 2019