I subscribe to several federal government news lists, and this came today from the Federal Trade Commission. It's legit - but it's easy to picture how years from now we'll be seeing spammy Facebook and email messages that the FTC is handing out free money to people who've paid out for fake tech support.

https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2018/01/ftc-provide-refunds-victims-tech-support-scam?utm_source=govdelivery

"The Federal Trade Commission is mailing refund checks totaling more than $668,000 to victims of a tech support scam that claimed to be associated with major tech companies to trick people into buying tech support services.

In May 2017, the FTC and the state of Florida announced settlements with the operators of the tech support scam: Big Dog Solutions LLC, also doing business as Help Desk National and Help Desk Global, and related defendants. As part of the settlements, the defendants are banned from providing tech support products or services and are prohibited from deceptive telemarketing practices. They also agreed to turn over financial assets to the FTC.

The FTC will be sending 3,791 checks averaging about $176 to victims of the tech support scam operated by the defendants. The checks will expire after 60 days. These are legitimate checks, and the FTC urges people to cash them before they expire. The FTC never requires consumers to pay money or provide account information to cash a refund check.

Consumers who have questions about the refunds should contact Rust Consulting, Inc., at 1-877-309-1959."