WASHINGTON — Some Verizon wireless customers could soon be entitled to part of a proposed $100 million settlement that the company has agreed to pay to settle a class action lawsuit.
But in order to get any money, which could be up to $100 each but will likely be a lot less, you have to file a claim and now have less than a month to apply.
The case involves a lawsuit where customers claimed Verizon charged a monthly administration fee that "was unfair and not adequately disclosed," something the company has continued to deny, according to a claims website set up by a settlement administrator.
While agreeing to the proposed settlement to resolve the lawsuit, Verizon has denied any wrongdoing and plans to continue to charge the administration fee at the center of the lawsuit. As part of the settlement, the company plans to adjust its customer agreement to include revised disclosures about the charge.
"Verizon clearly identifies and describes its wireless consumer Admin Charge multiple times during the sales transaction, as well as in its marketing, contracts and billing," Rich Young, a spokesperson for Verizon, said in a statement when the settlement was announced earlier this year. "This charge helps our company recover certain regulatory compliance, and network related costs. As always, our Company stands committed to transparency and the clear disclosure of all consumer charges and fees."
Who is eligible for Verizon's class action settlement?
Anyone who received postpaid wireless or data services from Verizon and paid an administrative charge or administration and telco recovery charge between Jan. 1, 2016 and Nov. 8, 2023, according to the settlement website.
Those who are eligible, according to Verizon's records, should receive a notice of the settlement by mail or e-mail.
If you're eligible for the Verizon class action settlement but don't file a claim, then you won't receive any payment.
How to submit a claim for Verizon's proposed class action settlement
Eligible customers must fill out a two-page claim form either online on the claims website or submitted through the mail.
The deadline to submit a claim or mail it is Monday, April 15, 2024.
How much could you get from the Verizon settlement?
According to the settlement agreement, each valid claim will start at a minimum of $15, plus $1 for every month you were a Verizon customer and paid the administration fee. The maximum payment is $100 per customer.
However, the amount each person may receives could go down depending on how many customers file valid claims.
Payments will be issued after the settlement is approved and finalized, but that could take some time. According to Reuters, lawyers for thousands of customers filed a motion back in January to intervene in the lawsuit in the hope of forcing the company into mass arbitration instead.
It'll be up to the courts to decide whether to approve the settlement and when to greenlight payments.