FTC sends more than $15.8 million to Cleo AI customers

In a notice published Oct. 8, 2026, the Federal Trade Commission said it is sending more than $15.8 million to consumers affected by Cleo AI's cash-advance practices. The agency plans payments for 2,124,796 customers who paid for eligible instant cash advances.

The refund follows a March 2025 complaint in which the FTC alleged that Cleo advertised access to “hundreds of dollars” even though almost no one received close to those amounts. The complaint also alleged hidden fees for same-day or instant advances that often arrived the next day, along with obstacles to canceling subscriptions. Those descriptions are the agency's allegations.

Payment timing and fraud warning

The Oct. 8 notice says eligible consumers will receive an email between its publication and Oct. 26, 2026, and the FTC plans to begin sending PayPal payments on Oct. 27. Recipients should redeem the payment within 30 days. Questions can go to refund administrator Rust Consulting Inc. at 877-788-4958 or to the FTC's online refund FAQ.

The FTC says receiving a payment never requires paying money or providing account information.