If you are a current or former Verizon customer who purchased a traditional postpaid wireless plan in the last seven years, you may be owed money in a $100 million class action lawsuit. Verizon is making the payments to counter claims that its service plans were misleading because the advertised prices did not include an administration fee.
In a class action lawsuit, plaintiffs allege (PDF) that Verizon fraudulently and unfairly introduced, charged, and increased an administration fee for postpaid wireless or data services.
In a statement to CNET, a Verizon spokesperson said the company “identifies and describes the admin fee to its wireless customers multiple times during the sales transaction, as well as in its marketing, contracts and billing.” This fee helps our company comply with certain regulations and ensure network-related costs.”
Here's what you should know about the Verizon Wireless settlement, including who is eligible to receive up to $100 and how to file a claim. For more information on fees and charges, see how the Biden administration is handling junk fees here.
Who is eligible for money from the Verizon class action lawsuit?
You may be eligible if you are a current or former U.S. customer who purchased postpaid wireless or data services from Verizon between January 1, 2016 and November 8, 2023 and paid an administration fee or an administration and telecommunications recovery fee has.
A postpaid mobile plan means that customers pay for the service after they have used it, i.e. at the end of their billing cycle. The comparison does not include customers who purchased prepaid plans from Verizon.
In an October fact sheet, Verizon reported that it served approximately 93 million postpaid residential customers as of September 30, 2023.
If you received a settlement notification via email or mail, you are eligible to file a claim, according to the official Verizon Administrative Fee Settlement website.
How much money could I get from the Verizon agreement?
If the settlement is approved and finalized, Verizon will pay $100 million into a settlement fund. Customers who submit valid claims on time could receive up to $100 each as part of the compensation, depending on how long they have been a Verizon subscriber and how many valid claims were filed.
How do I claim money under the Verizon settlement?
There is an application form on the settlement administration page that eligible group members can complete and submit online.
You can also download a paper form (PDF), fill it out and send it to:
Verizon management fee statement
c/o Settlement Manager
1650 Arch St., Suite 2210
Philadelphia, PA 19103
The deadline for making a complaint is April 15, 2024.
When will I receive my settlement money from Verizon?
The Settlement FAQ states that payments will be made by check or electronic payment after the settlement is approved and finalized. A hearing is scheduled for March 22, 2024.
For more money-related matters, learn whether Social Security recipients need to file a tax return and learn about tax breaks homeowners can claim for a maximum tax refund.