The Federal Trade Commission is sending out checks to fully reimburse everyone who bought Razer Zephyr air purifier masks, which were falsely labeled during the COVID-19 pandemic as having N95-equivalent protection. The refunds amount to $1.1 million total and are automatically being sent out to all 6,764 customers who purchased one of the masks.
FTC sued Razer, a gaming and lifestyle company, after the company sold the Zephyr mask as an N95-equivalent mask. N95 masks are designed to have a tight fit to the user’s face and efficient filtration of airborne particles. Since it is a government-regulated standard, a company can’t release a mask and label it N95. It must be certified first.
While Razer did submit the mask for certification, the Zephyr never received such a label. Razer eventually took the Zephyr off the market but continued to sell filter replacements. The company eventually suspended that as well and began issuing refunds.
The FTC lawsuit alleged that Razer refunded only 6% of consumers who bought the mask or filter replacements. The $1.1 million settlement seeks to reimburse the other 94% of customers who didn’t get their money back.
Read more: FTC Fines Razer for Misrepresenting COVID Masks as N95s
The FTC says that the median refund will be about $150. Razer originally sold the mask for $100 and $30 for filter replacements.
How will customers be reimbursed?
According to the FTC, checks will be sent either in the mail or over PayPal. The FTC says that anyone who receives a paper check needs to cash it within 90 days and anyone who receives funds via PayPal needs to accept the money within 30 days.
From 2021: The Razer Zephyr “Let Me Down,” Says CNET Writer
The FTC court order required the company to provide a list of their customers. The FTC notes it may also use the agency’s Consumer Sentinel Network database to find eligible recipients, as well as search for reports related to the defendants and use the contact information in those complaints to create a list of potential refund recipients.
Customers with questions are directed to call the FTC’s refund administrator, Simpluris, at 1-833-285-3003 or visit the FTC’s FAQ page.