Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt today announced that more than 4,000 Kansas consumers who filed claims against Skechers USA Inc.-brand toning shoes will receive refund checks totaling more than $295,000 as the result of a legal settlement.  The settlement resolved allegations that Skechers made unsupported health claims in advertising its Shape-Ups, Tone-Ups and Resistance Runner athletic shoes.

The multi-state settlement required Skechers to refund almost $40 million nationally to 509,175 consumers.  Kansas consumers are receiving $295,827 for 4,169 claims. Kansas joined 42 other states and the Federal Trade Commission in the settlement.

“Fraudulent marketing practices and questionable advertising claims prevent consumers from making informed decisions,” Schmidt said.  “Kansas consumers deserve an honest accounting from sellers.”

Skechers claimed their rocker-bottom shoe products caused consumers to lose weight, burn calories, improve circulation, fight cellulite, and firm, tone or strengthen thigh, buttocks, and back muscles without having adequate support for its claims.

Under the settlement, Skechers is prohibited from making these claims unless it has adequate substantiation to do so. Skechers agreed to provide partial refunds but did not admit any wrongdoing and denies the factual allegations asserted in the complaint.

Consumers with concerns about questionable sales or marketing practices can contact the Kansas Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division at 1-800-432-2310 or visit www.ag.ks.gov for more information.