FTC: Ab Force Weight Loss Belts Should Give Refunds to Consumers

Were you also lured by Ab Force’s claims that it can cause one to lose weight, inches, or fat; that it cause one’s abdominal muscles to become well-defined; that it’s an effective alternative to regular exercise?

Fret no more since the Federal Trade Commission has already asked the federal district court to force the Ab Force ab stimulation belt marketers to issue refund to its customers.

In 2005, the Commission upheld an administrative law judge’s ruling that the marketers violated federal law by making the deceptive claims, and that they intended to convey those deceptive claims, even though the marketers knew that they did not have substantiation. After the marketers appealed, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the decision on August 7, 2006.

Now, the FTC is seeking money back for consumers who purchased the belts from the marketers: Telebrands Corp., TV Savings, L.L.C., and Ajit Khubani. They sold more than 700,000 Ab Force belts and accessories, earning approximately $16 million. The FTC is also alleging that Ajit Khubani unlawfully transferred assets to his wife, Poonam Khubani. The FTC’s case names her as a relief defendant – someone who is not accused of wrongdoing, but who has allegedly received ill-gotten gains, and does not have a legitimate claim to them. The FTC is seeking full redress for consumers who purchased the ab belts, with money from the companies and Khubani, as well as the funds transferred to Khubani’s wife.

The Commission vote to authorize staff to file the complaint was 5-0. The complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.

However, please don’t think that FTC will always be in the rescue during these problems. It’s still important to be always have a watchful eye and be doubly-sure that whatever product you use don’t deceive you.

Tags: Ab Force, weight loss belt, FTC, infomercial