Verizon customers have until Monday to apply for a refund as part of a $100 million settlement resulting from a class-action lawsuit. Eligible customers were notified earlier this year to file a claim by April 15 in order to receive up to $100. The lawsuit accused Verizon of charging fees that were not adequately disclosed.
Interested customers can file a claim on a special website until 11:59 p.m. PT, providing required information such as their phone number attached to the Verizon account and how they would like to receive the refund – whether by check, Venmo, or bank wire. The payout will be at least $15 and may be higher depending on the duration of the customer’s use of Verizon services and the number of claims filed. Only customers with postpaid wireless accounts or data plans from January 1, 2016, to November 8, 2023 are eligible for the refund.
The lawsuit stemmed from Verizon’s “administrative charge,” which the plaintiffs argued was deceptive and unfair because it was not disclosed in the advertised monthly price of their plans. Verizon has refuted these claims, stating that they clearly identify and describe the wireless consumer administrative charge during the sales transaction, in their marketing, contracts, and billing. According to a company spokesperson, the charge helps Verizon recover certain regulatory compliance and network-related costs.
The $100 million settlement resulted from the consolidation of four separate lawsuits in a New Jersey court, the same state where Verizon is headquartered. These types of “junk fees” have been criticized by consumers and the Biden administration, prompting the Federal Trade Commission to propose a rule last October that would ban businesses from charging hidden or misleading fees and require full pricing transparency upfront.
Verizon customers who fall within the eligibility criteria and have not yet filed a claim for the refund have until Monday to do so. The process involves submitting necessary information on the designated website, including the phone number associated with the Verizon account and specifying how they would like to receive the refund. This settlement is the outcome of legal action taken against Verizon for allegedly charging undisclosed fees that were deemed unfair and misleading by the plaintiffs.
