Bodyne
Business Growth

The FTC Ordered Them to Pay Up to $7.2 Million. Contractors Are Still Paying Them.

2 min

Key Points

  • In January 2023, the FTC announced an order requiring HomeAdvisor to pay up to $7.2 million, citing deceptive and misleading tactics in selling leads to home service professionals.
  • The FTC alleged false, misleading, or unsubstantiated claims about the quality and source of leads, overstated conversion rates, and a subscription add-on described as free.
  • In November 2023, the FTC said it was sending 110,372 checks totaling more than $3 million to eligible businesses.
  • In October 2025, Vermont’s Attorney General announced a settlement with Angi over its “Angi Certified Pro” marketing term.
  • A free growth assessment at bodyne.com/score shows alternatives to platform-dependent lead generation.

On January 23, 2023, the Federal Trade Commission announced an order requiring HomeAdvisor to pay up to $7.2 million. The FTC described the money as redress for “a wide range of deceptive and misleading tactics” in selling leads to home service professionals.

The allegations were specific. According to the FTC, HomeAdvisor made false, misleading, or unsubstantiated claims about the quality and source of its leads. The FTC also alleged that the company often overstated lead conversion rates and that its sales agents misrepresented an optional mHelpDesk subscription as free.

In November 2023, the FTC said it was sending 110,372 checks to eligible home service providers, with more than $3 million in refunds going to businesses.

In October 2025, Vermont’s Attorney General announced a settlement with Angi. Angi agreed to stop using “Angi Certified Pro” and any term implying a governmental credential, and to pay the State of Vermont $100,000.

These are public records: a federal enforcement announcement and a state attorney general settlement.

The point for a restoration owner is a business one. A lead you rent from a platform is a lead whose quality and source you do not control. Whether that trade is worth it is a decision to make with your own numbers.

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