A settlement with Accelerated Debt Settlement Inc. and affiliates regarding the businesses misleading consumers into thinking they could shrink or settle debts and for demanding illegal payments has been settled, state Attorney General Dave Sunday announced on Friday.

Under the settlement, Accelerated Debt Settlement agreed to pay $550,000, with $500,000 going to consumers who were harmed. It and affiliates are also prohibited from advertising and selling services in Pennsylvania until proper licenses are obtained.

Refund checks will be distributed by the Office of Attorney General and will range from $2,850 to $19,998. Before the settlement, the businesses issued more than $55,000 in refunds through the Bureau of Consumer Protection’s mediation efforts.

Additional consumers who may have been affected by Accelerated Debt Settlement Inc. have 90 days to file a complaint with the Attorney General’s Office to be eligible for a refund. Consumers can file a complaint online or they can phone 800-441-2555 or email scams@attorneygeneral.gov.

Accelerated Debt Settlement also does business as Accelerated Debt Solutions, Accelerated Debt Settlement LLC and Financial Services Group LLC. They allegedly failed to provide services as advertised and accepted unlawful advance payments.