Raleigh, NC-- Claims a popular shoe company is making one of its products is costing them.
Wednesday, Attorney Generals in several states settled with Skechers for $45 million. The company is accused of misleading consumers about its toning footwear line.
Roy Cooper, Nc Attorney General said this about the settlement: "Consumers looking to lose weight or get in shape deserve accurate information about the products, not overhyped claims." "Companies must be held accountable when they make claims they can't support."
Cooper along with attorneys general from 44 other states and the Federal Trade Commission allege that Skechers made health-related claims in marketing, packaging, advertising, and selling its line of rocker-bottom shoe products including Shape-ups, Tone-ups, and the Skechers Resistance Runner that were not adequately substantiated at the time the claims were made.
According to the Consent Judgment filed today in Wake County, the states and the FTC maintain that Sketchers did not have adequate support to back up the company's claims that its rocker-bottom shoe products caused consumers to lose weight, burn calories, improve circulation, fight cellulite, and firm, tone or strengthen leg and back muscles.
As a part of today's settlement, Skechers is prohibited from claiming that its shoes cause weight loss or making other health or fitness-related claims about its products without the proper trials and disclosures.
Skechers will provide up to $40 million in refunds to consumers who purchased the toning shoes. As part of the settlement, Skechers will also pay $5 million to the states including $124,027 to North Carolina for consumer protection efforts.
North Carolina consumers who purchased Shape-Ups, Tone-Ups, or the Skechers Resistance Runner click here, or call 1-866-325-4186 for information on how to obtain a partial refund.
Consumers can contact Cooper's Consumer Protection Division at 1-877-5-NO-SCAM toll-free in NC with any questions.