Verizon Wireless paid $100 million to resolve a class-action lawsuit in 2024. According to the lawsuit, the business engaged in misleading advertising by failing to disclose to clients certain additional costs, like administrative fees. As a result, the plans’ true costs exceeded their stated ones.
The lawsuit’s plaintiffs contended that Verizon created the impression that their plans were less expensive than they actually were by failing to disclose these costs up front. Customers were mislead into selecting plans that were more expensive than they had anticipated.
Because the pricing in the advertisements did not reflect the whole amount that buyers would spend, it was deemed dishonest. The lawsuit possibly involves consumer protection statutes and advertising rules, notably the Federal Trade Commission Act, which forbids deceptive or misleading advertising.
Details of the Verizon Class Action Settlement
Verizon has consented to disburse a settlement fund of $100 million to qualified consumers. The purpose of this settlement is to reimburse the parties that were billed the contested administrative expenses. The following is how the settlement fund will be allocated:
- Base Payment: Each valid claim will receive a flat payment of $15.
- Monthly Service Bonus: In addition to the base payment, eligible customers will receive $1 for each month they were charged the administrative fee, up to a maximum of $85.
As a result, each customer’s total compensation is limited at $100. The number of legitimate claims filed and the length of time the administrative fees were assessed will determine the actual amount received.
Eligibility Criteria
Customers must have had a postpaid phone or data plan with Verizon between January 1, 2016, to November 8, 2023, in order to qualify for the settlement. They must have been billed the contested administrative or telecom recovery expenses at this time.
Dates of the Verizon Class Action Settlement Payout
Payments will be disbursed to eligible claimants via electronic transfer or check upon final approval of the settlement.
Settlement checks that are either uncashed or declared undeliverable by the Settlement Administrator will be classified as unclaimed property pertaining to the respective Settlement Class Member. This process will comply with the pertinent state unclaimed property regulations, with any supplementary administrative expenses being deducted from the unclaimed amounts on a proportional basis.
The settlement became effective on September 20, 2024, after the remaining appeal was withdrawn. As a result, it is expected that the distribution of settlement payments will commence in early January 2025.
Official Website for More Details
Just in case you missed it: How Do I File a Claim Under the Settlement?
It’s too late to make a claim now that the form is no longer out there. People who are eligible and want to make a claim could do so by following these steps:
- Go to the official settlement page to see if you are eligible and to get the claim form.
- You can either download the claim form from the website or ask the payment administrator for it.
- Give the information they need, like your name, how to reach you, and account information.
- Including proof of the costs, like billing statements or receipts, is important.
- Before the due date, either mail the completed form or send it online through the settlement website.
- After you submit, you will get a confirmation message and more directions. Stay informed about the progress of the settlement and any additional steps needed, such as providing further information or attending hearings if necessary.
The deadline for submitting claims has now passed. If you haven’t submitted a claim, you will not receive any payment, even if you were eligible. Without submitting the necessary paperwork, your eligibility alone won’t guarantee any compensation.
If you’re bored waiting for the Verizon Settlement Payment to arrive, you may like to head over to these suggested Reddit Threads and discuss about the experience of the other members. Thread 1, Thread 2.