You could be owed money in 2024 as part of a proposed settlement of a $100 million class action lawsuit if you’re a current or former Verizon customer who purchased a traditional, postpaid wireless plan in the past seven years. Verizon is making the payments to address claims that its service plans were misleading because the advertised prices didn’t include an administrative charge.
In the suit, the plaintiffs alleged (PDF) that Verizon implemented, charged and increased an administrative fee for postpaid wireless or data services in a deceptive and unfair manner.
In a statement to CNET, a Verizon spokesperson said the company “clearly identifies and describes its wireless consumer Admin Charge multiple times during the sales transaction, as well as in its marketing, contracts and billing. This charge helps our company recover certain regulatory compliance and network-related costs.”
Here’s what to know about the proposed settlement, including who is eligible for a payment of up to $100 and how to submit a claim. For more on charges and fees, here’s how the Biden administration is addressing junk fees.
Who is eligible for money from the Verizon class action settlement?
You may be eligible if you are a current or former US customer who purchased postpaid wireless or data services from Verizon and paid an administrative charge or an administrative and telco recovery charge between Jan. 1, 2016, and Nov. 8, 2023.
A postpaid wireless plan means customers pay for the service after they use it, at the end of their billing cycle. The settlement doesn’t include customers who purchased prepaid plans from Verizon.
In an October fact sheet, Verizon reported that it served about 93 million retail postpaid customers as of Sept. 30, 2023.
If you received a notice about the settlement by email or mail, you are eligible to file a claim, according to the official Verizon administrative charge settlement website.
What amount could I receive?
If the settlement is approved and finalized, Verizon will pay $100 million into a settlement fund. Customers filing valid claims by the deadline could receive up to $100 each as part of the settlement, depending on how long they were a Verizon subscriber and how many valid claims are filed.
How do I claim money as part of the settlement?
The settlement’s administrative site has a claim form that eligible class members can fill out and submit online.
You can also download (PDF), fill out and mail a paper form to this address:
Verizon Administrative Charge Settlement
c/o Settlement Administrator
1650 Arch St., Suite 2210
Philadelphia, PA 19103
The deadline to submit a claim is 11:59:59 p.m. PT, April 15, 2024.
When will I get my settlement money?
The settlement FAQ says payments will be issued by check or electronic payment after the settlement is approved and finalized. A hearing is scheduled for March 22, 2024.
For more money matters, learn whether Social Security recipients need to file a tax return and read up on tax breaks homeowners can take for a maximum tax refund.
