In what has to be one of the more bizarre things I have received in the mail, today we receive a check for $513.58 from a company called Managed Care Advisory Group, LLC. (MCAG). With the check, there is a letter saying that MCAG filed claims on our behalf under the Polyurethane Foam Indirect Settlement, and the check represents reimbursement for claims filed less fees for MCAG's services. It appears that the Polyurethane Foam Indirect Settlement is related to a suit alleging price fixing among foam manufacturers, resulting in damages to purchasers of such products between 1999 and 2015. To the best of my knowledge, we never authorized MCAG to file such a claim, and its doubtful that we suffered $500 worth of damages stemming from whatever nefarious actions may have occurred (we have about 20 chairs in our admin office that contain a bit of foam).
In looking at MCAG's website, it appears that they are in the business of filing claims in class action lawsuits on behalf of their clients, allowing them to capitalize on "found money". The check seems to have no strings attached, but there is an agreement enclosed to engage MCAG to file more such claims. There is also a section pertaining to a "Visa/Mastercard Class Action Settlement", in which MCAG askes for our merchant ID and processor, along with a notation that there is no settlement in this case (the prior settlement having been thrown out in 2016).
There seem to be no strings attached to cashing the check, but the whole thing feels suspicious/sleazy....sort of an old fashioned version of the email from the Nigerian who wants help moving money out of the country.
Debating whether to cash the check and pitch the agreement, or just discard the whole thing.
Have you received this? What did you do, or would you do?
David Smith, FACMPE | Executive Director | 785.393.8387
