The FBI is urging people who were sex trafficked through classified ads on Backpage.com or CityXGuide — and suffered financial losses — to apply for compensation before the March 31, 2026, deadline.
Federal officials announced the Backpage Compensation Program in July to help eligible trafficking survivors recover losses tied to trafficking that occurred between 2004 and 2020. The U.S. Department of Justice said more than $200 million in forfeited assets is available for eligible claims, including medical care, counseling, and lost income.
“It’s a matter of trying to get as much of the $200 million back to the victims of the crime,” said Desirae Tolhurst, a special agent with the FBI’s Phoenix Division who led the Backpage investigation. Tolhurst said documentation matters — including medical records, receipts, emails, and copies of ads — but can be difficult to compile because trafficking often involves aliases and burner phones.
Partner agencies say survivors can access free help while navigating the process. The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children has established a Backpage Survivor Remission Network to connect eligible individuals with resources, including pro bono legal services.
People may qualify if their trafficking was facilitated through ads on Backpage between Jan. 1, 2004, and April 6, 2018, or on CityXGuide between April 8, 2018, and June 19, 2020. Petitions may be filed by victims, representatives, or estates. More information is available at BackpageRemission.com.
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