Verizon customers have until Monday to file a claim for a refund as part of a $100 million settlement from a class-action lawsuit. Eligible customers were notified via email or postcard earlier this year and must file a claim by April 15 to receive up to $100. The lawsuit accused Verizon of charging fees that were “unfair and not adequately disclosed.”
Customers interested in filing a claim must do so by 11:59 p.m. PT on a special website. They will need to provide information such as the phone number associated with their Verizon account and choose a method of receiving the money, such as a check, Venmo, or bank wire. The payout is a minimum of $15, with the possibility of receiving more depending on the duration of their use of Verizon services and the number of customers who file a claim. Only customers with postpaid wireless accounts or data plans between January 1, 2016, and November 8, 2023, are eligible.
The lawsuit focuses on Verizon’s “administrative charge,” which plaintiffs argued was misleading because it was not included in the advertised monthly price of their plan and was applied in a deceptive and unfair manner. Despite these claims, Verizon has denied any wrongdoing, stating that the charge was clearly identified and described multiple times during the sales transaction, in marketing materials, contracts, and billing. A company spokesperson stated that the charge helps Verizon recover certain regulatory compliance and network-related costs.
The settlement resulted from four separate lawsuits consolidated in a New Jersey court, the same state where Verizon is headquartered. “Junk fees,” such as the ones contested in this lawsuit, are not only disliked by consumers but have also drawn the attention of the Biden administration. In October, the Federal Trade Commission introduced a proposed rule to prohibit businesses from charging hidden or misleading fees and to require full prices to be displayed upfront.
Overall, customers who believe they are eligible for a refund from Verizon due to the lawsuit have until April 15 to file a claim, which could result in a payout of at least $15. Despite Verizon’s denial of wrongdoing, the lawsuit accuses the company of charging fees that were not adequately disclosed to customers. The settlement represents a victory for consumers who are seeking transparency and fair pricing practices from telecommunications companies.
