Seller of fake N95 face masks to refund $1.1 million to customers

A institution alleged to person fraudulently sold a look disguise arsenic N95-grade must refund much than $1.1 cardinal to customers nationwide, nan Federal Trade Commission announced Monday. 

Razer and its affiliates advertised nan Zephyr disguise arsenic N95-grade contempt ne'er submitting it for testing aliases certification by nan Food and Drug Administration aliases National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, nan agency said. In ads and posts connected societal media, nan Zephyr masks were touted arsenic nan balanced of an N95 that would protect users from COVID, nan FTC stated successful a complaint. 

"These businesses falsely claimed, successful nan midst of a world pandemic, that their look disguise was nan balanced of an N95 certified respirator," Samuel Levine, head of nan FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection, said successful a statement. "The FTC will proceed to clasp accountable businesses that usage mendacious and unsubstantiated claims to target consumers who are making decisions astir their wellness and safety."

Advertisement featuring Razer's Zephyr mask. Federal Trade Commission

Starting successful October of 2021, nan Zephyr disguise and 3 sets of filters sold for $99.99; nan Razer Zephyr Starter Pack containing a disguise and 33 sets of filters sold for $149.99; and a Razer Zephyr Filter Pack containing 10 sets of filters sold for $29.99.

A typical for Razer couldn't instantly beryllium recovered for comment. 

Razer and its related businesses are besides barred from making COVID-related misrepresentations aliases unsubstantiated claims astir protective equipment, nan FTC said. In summation to covering afloat refunds to customers misled astir nan merchandise they were buying, nan sellers will salary a civilian punishment of $100,000.

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• COVID-19