Attorney General Ashley Moody and the Federal Trade Commission announced victims of a debt relief scam in have been awarded $16 million in restitution.

Helping America Group convinced victims who were struggling with debt to pay hundreds or even in some cases thousands of dollars to settle debts while also improving credit scores.

The scam forced many victims to declare bankruptcy.

“It infuriates me that anyone would take advantage of people trying to pay off their debts and improve their financial situations,” Attorney General Moody said. “Thankfully, our office, working together with the FTC, has now recovered millions to be returned to the victims of this appalling scam.”

27,000 refund checks will be sent to the victims.