Idahoans who purchased Shape-Ups, Tone-Ups, or the Skechers Resistance Runner shoes can apply for partial refunds resulting from a legal settlement, Attorney General Lawrence Wasden said.
Wasden joined with the Federal Trade Commission, 43 states and the District of Columbia in a $45 million settlement with Skechers USA, Inc. Up to $40 million is being allocated for consumer refunds to consumers who purchased the shoes. An additional $5 million will be paid to the states for attorney fees and other costs of investigation and litigation.
The Attorneys General alleged that Skechers, without adequate substantiation, claimed its rocker-bottom shoes caused consumers to lose weight, burn calories, improve circulation, fight cellulite, and firm, tone or strengthen thigh, buttock, and back muscles. The settlement prohibits Skechers from making these claims, unless it has adequate substantiation to do so.
Idaho residents who purchased Shape-Ups, Tone-Ups or Skechers Resistance Runner shoes may seek payment from the settlement by going to www.ftc.gov for information on how to file a claim.
The State of Idaho’s share, $76,152, will be deposited in the Consumer Protection Account. That account partially funds the Attorney General’s consumer protection operations. Unspent moneys are transferred to the state’s General Fund for appropriation by the legislature. The Attorney General has transferred more than $16 million from the Consumer Protection Account to the General Fund since Fiscal Year 2000.
Skechers does not admit any wrongdoing and denies the factual allegations asserted in the Attorney General’s complaint.
