Jim Kenyon shows off his Skechers shoes after the news conference.
/ Photo by Brian Erb
SYRACUSE -- Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today announced a $45 million nationwide settlement with Skechers.
Attorney General Schneiderman says the company used deceptive and misleading marketing tactics to sell Shape-Ups, Tone-Ups, and Resistance Runner athletic shoes.
Skechers marketed the shoes as having certain health and medical benefits that were not substantiated said Attorney General Schneiderman.
According to Attorney General Schneiderman, "Skechers claimed that its toning shoes caused consumers to lose weight, burn calories, improve circulation, fight cellulite, and firm, tone or strengthen thigh, buttock, and back muscles and that its products also reduce stress and improve sleep."
The settlement reached with 44 states and the Federal Trade Commission allocated up to $40 million for refunds to be paid back to consumers and $5 million to the states.
"This settlement forces Skechers to ‘shape up’ by ceasing to make unsubstantiated health and medical claims for their so-called toning shoes. New Yorkers who purchased these shoes as a result of Skechers’ deceptive marketing practices will now be eligible for refunds," Attorney General Schneiderman said in a news release.
Attorney General Schneiderman says that following the investigation, Skechers agreed to change its marketing.
If you bought Shape-Ups, Tone-Ups, or the Skechers Resistance Runner visit www.ftc.gov/skechers or call 866-325-4186 to submit a claim for a partial refund. The amount of each refund will be determined by how many consumers apply for a refund from the available pool of $40,000,000.
