In 2024, Verizon Wireless reached a $100 million settlement over allegations of deceptive advertising practices. The lawsuit accused the company of not disclosing additional administrative fees in their advertisements, which made their wireless plans appear cheaper than they actually were. This caused customers to unknowingly select plans that were more expensive due to these hidden fees.
Details of the Verizon Class Action Settlement
The lawsuit, which claimed Verizon misled customers by omitting administrative charges from their advertised prices, resulted in a settlement designed to compensate affected customers. As part of the resolution, Verizon agreed to distribute a $100 million settlement fund to those who were impacted by these fees.
The settlement will be divided as follows:
- Base Payment: Each eligible claimant will receive a flat $15 payment.
- Monthly Service Bonus: In addition, customers will receive $1 for each month they were charged the disputed fees, up to a maximum of $85.
This means the total compensation per eligible customer could reach up to $100, depending on how long they were charged these fees and how many claims are filed.
Who Is Eligible for the Settlement?
To qualify for the settlement, individuals must meet the following criteria:
- Verizon Customers: You must have had a postpaid wireless or data plan with Verizon between January 1, 2016, and November 8, 2023.
- Administrative Fee Charges: You must have been charged the disputed administrative or telecom recovery fees during this period.
Verizon Settlement Payment Schedule
Once the settlement receives final approval, payments will be issued to eligible customers either by check or electronic transfer.
In cases where checks are uncashed or undeliverable, the funds will be treated as unclaimed property according to state regulations. Any additional administrative costs associated with unclaimed funds will be deducted proportionally.
After the settlement’s final approval, which occurred following the appeal withdrawal on September 20, 2024, the payment distribution is expected to begin in early January 2025.
How to Make a Claim
If you missed the opportunity to file a claim, unfortunately, the deadline has passed. However, if you were eligible and had filed before the cutoff, here’s how the process worked:
- Visit the Official Website: Check your eligibility and access the claim form on the official settlement website.
- Submit Your Information: Complete the form with your personal details and Verizon account information.
- Provide Documentation: Submit any supporting documents, like billing statements, to verify the charges.
- Submit Your Claim: Send the form either by mail or submit it online through the settlement website by the deadline.
After submission, you would have received a confirmation and further instructions.
What Happens If You Missed the Claim Deadline?
If you missed the claim submission, you will unfortunately not receive any compensation, even if you were eligible. Filing the necessary paperwork was crucial for claiming the settlement funds.
If you’re feeling the wait for your payment and want to connect with others, consider checking out discussions on relevant forums, such as Reddit, where users share their experiences with the settlement process.
