Verizon Wireless paid $100 million to end a class-action case in 2024. The case said that the company used misleading advertising because it didn’t tell customers about some extra fees, like administrative fees. Because of this, the plans cost more than they said they would.
The people who sued Verizon said that by hiding these fees from the start, they made it look like their deals were cheaper than they really were. Customers were tricked into choosing deals that cost more than they thought they would.
People thought it was dishonest because the prices in the ads didn’t show how much the whole thing would cost. Consumer protection laws and advertising rules, such as the Federal Trade Commission Act, which bans deceptive or misleading advertising, are likely at the heart of the case.
Verizon Class Action Settlement Details
Verizon has decided to give a $100 million settlement fund to customers who are eligible. The goal of this settlement is to give those who were charged the contested administrative fees money back. Here’s how the payment fund will be split:
Base Payment:
A flat $15 payment will be made for every approved claim.
Monthly Service Bonus:
As an added bonus to their base payment, qualified customers will get $1 for every month they were charged the administrative fee, up to a maximum of $85.
So, the most that each customer can get in pay is $100. The exact amount given will depend on how many valid claims were sent in and how long the administrative fees were charged for.
Eligibility Criteria
People must have had a postpaid Verizon wireless or data plan from January 1, 2016, to November 8, 2023, in order to be qualified for the settlement. They must have been charged the alleged telecom recovery or administrative fees during this time.
How to Make 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:
Visit the Settlement Website:Go to the official settlement page to see if you are eligible and to get the claim form.
Download or Request a Claim Form:You can either download the claim form from the website or ask the payment administrator for it.
Fill out the form:Give the information they need, like your name, how to reach you, and account information.
Attach the necessary paperwork: Including proof of the costs, like billing statements or receipts, is important.
Send in the Claim Form: Before the due date, either mail the completed form or send it online through the settlement website.
Confirmation and New Information: After you submit, you will get a confirmation message and more directions. Keep up with the settlement’s progress and any other steps that need to be taken, like giving more information or going to meetings if needed.