The FTC announced that Publishers Clearing House has agreed to pay $18.5 million to customers who were “harmed" by the company.

Publishers Clearing House is known for giving money away in sweepstakes and other contests. Now it's offering a different kind of payout — a refund for customers who may have been deceived by the direct marketing company.

The Federal Trade Commission is refunding a total of $18.5 million to consumers affected by misleading claims made by sweepstakes company Publishers Clearing House.