The Federal Trade Commission has sent checks to fully reimburse everyone who purchased Razer Zephyr air purifier masks, which were mislabeled during the COVID-19 pandemic with N95 equivalent protection. The refunds will amount to $1.1 million in total and will be automatically sent to all 6,764 customers who purchased one of the masks.
The FTC sued Razer, a gaming and lifestyle company, after the company the Zephyr mask is sold as an N95-equivalent mask. N95 masks designed to have a tight fit on the user’s face and efficient filtering of airborne particles. Since this is a government-regulated standard, a company cannot produce a mask and label it with an N95. Must be certified first.
While Razer submitted the mask for certification, the Zephyr never received such a label. Razer eventually pulled the Zephyr from the market but continues to sell filter replacements. The company eventually suspended that too and started issuing refunds.
The FTC lawsuit alleges that Razer refunded only 6% of consumers who purchased the mask or filter replacements. The $1.1 million settlement seeks to compensate the other 94% of customers who did not get their money back.
Read more: FTC fines Razer for misrepresenting COVID masks as N95s
The FTC says that the median refund will will be about $150. Razer originally sold the mask for $100 plus $30 for filter replacements.
How do customers get paid?
According to the FTC, the checks send either by mail or PayPal. The FTC says that anyone who receives a paper check must cash it within 90 days and anyone who receives funds through PayPal must receive the money within 30 days.
From 2021: Razer Zephyr “Let Me Down,” says CNET Writer
The FTC court order required the company to provide a list of its customers. The FTC notes can also use the agency’s Consumer Sentinel Network database to find eligible recipients, as well as search reports related to defendants and use complaint contact information to create a list of potentially receiving a refund.
Customers with questions are directed to call the FTC’s refund administrator, Simluris, at 1-833-285-3003 or visit FTC FAQ page.