TRENTON, NJ- A settlement has been reached with TFG Holding, Inc., addressing deceptive practices in its VIP Membership Program. The multistate coalition secured a $1 million settlement aimed at rectifying misleading membership charges imposed on consumers.

Seventy-six New Jersey consumers are expected to receive an average refund of $2,463. The settlement stems from claims that TFG Holding marketed its membership program misleadingly and complicated the cancellation process for consumers.

Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin stated that the company prioritized profits over transparency. He emphasized the need for consumers to trust the deals they receive in the marketplace.

Elizabeth M. Harris, Acting Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs, reinforced consumers’ rights to be fully informed about their purchasing commitments. TFG Holding offered discounts to consumers who enrolled in its VIP Membership Program, which carried a monthly fee of $49.95 unless specific actions were taken by the 6th of each month.

This practice resulted in some consumers incurring hundreds to thousands of dollars in membership fees. Those who enrolled before May 31, 2016, and only made an initial purchase without further engagement will automatically receive refunds.

The settlement outlines multiple violations of state consumer protection laws, including misleading pricing and unauthorized enrollment in membership programs. TFG Holding will now be required to comply with various legal mandates, including transparent disclosure of membership terms and obtaining explicit consent for enrollment.

The Attorney General’s office intends to ensure that consumers are treated fairly and that deceptive practices are addressed. TFG Holding will also face restrictions against using tactics that create false urgency in sales.

As part of this agreement, the company must create an online cancellation mechanism for its VIP Membership Program and address consumer refund requests promptly.

The settlement negotiations included participation from several states in addition to New Jersey, including Texas, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. Deputy Attorney General Amanda McElfresh led the efforts on behalf of New Jersey’s Consumer Fraud Prosecution Section.

Phil Stilton Latest posts

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.