The First American program concerns small businesses charged allegedly hidden, unauthorized, or early-termination fees by a payment processor. The FTC says submitted claims are under review.
What Is the Current Status?
The FTC says it is reviewing First American Payment Systems refund claims and will update the official program page when more information is available. It has not announced a payment amount or distribution date for the claims now under review.In February 2025, the agency sent 5,588 checks totaling more than $2.6 million to small businesses it identified as having been charged hidden or unauthorized fees. That earlier automatic round is separate from the Claim ID process for certain early-termination fees.
What Was the FTC Case About?
The FTC alleged that First American Payment Systems used misleading sales pitches, surprise exit fees, and unauthorized withdrawals to trap small businesses in payment-processing contracts. The company paid $4.9 million to resolve the federal case and agreed to restrictions intended to make fees and cancellation terms clearer.First American used several sales-office names, including Eliot Management Group, Cypress Bay Solutions, Sundance Payment Solutions, Appstar Financial, Payscape Advisors, and Blue Dog Business Services. A business may therefore recognize a sales-office name rather than the parent payment processor.
Who Was Eligible to Submit a Claim?
The FTC says businesses enrolled between June 2017 and April 2020 that were charged an early termination fee may qualify. The program sent Claim IDs to eligible businesses, so this was not an unrestricted no-proof process.The current FTC page routes Claim ID holders through the program’s official instructions. Businesses should use the official page below for the current contact path.
How Much Could a Business Receive?
No fixed per-business amount is listed. The FTC says the result depends on multiple factors, including the number of businesses that submitted claims. Any payment estimate circulating elsewhere should be treated as unconfirmed until the agency publishes the distribution details.Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current First American Payment Systems refund status?
The FTC says it is reviewing claims and will update its official page when more information is available.
Who was eligible for the additional refund process?
The FTC says businesses enrolled between June 2017 and April 2020 that were charged an early termination fee may qualify. Eligible businesses were sent Claim IDs.
How much was sent in the earlier payment round?
In February 2025, the FTC sent more than $2.6 million through 5,588 checks.
How much will a claim pay?
The FTC says payment amounts depend on factors including how many businesses filed claims. No fixed amount has been announced.
Sources
• FTC — First American Payment Systems refund program• FTC — February 2025 refund announcement
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