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An AT&T class action lawsuit has led to a settlement for millions of customers — and it’s about to start paying out. The telecom company got sued after customers said they were charged hidden fees for years. Now that AT&T has agreed to pay users $14 million, you’re probably wondering if any of that money is headed your way.
We’ll tell you what happened with the AT&T class action lawsuit, who’s eligible for the payout, and when customers might expect to get their checks.
If you’re interested in finding out more about consumer payouts like this one, we’ve got a big ol’ list of class action settlements.
Why was AT&T involved in a class action lawsuit?
While prepaid customers pay for their bills in advance, monthly subscribers pay after the month of service ends. And customers argue that AT&T inflated their agreed-upon monthly payment with hidden “administrative fees” of $1.99 per month.
The plaintiffs said AT&T didn’t properly communicate or advertise these fees. Although AT&T agreed to settle the lawsuit, they denied any wrongdoing, saying they “clearly and prominently” share fees with their customers.
How much was the AT&T settlement for?
AT&T settled the lawsuit for $14 million which will be divided by the number of AT&T customers in California. That’s not as much as the top-dollar Capital One settlement or the Regions Bank settlement, but it’s also just contained to the state of California.
Related: T-Mobile will reimburse you up to $25,000 after data breach.
How do I know if I qualify for the AT&T class action settlement?
According to the AT&T Vianu Settlement website, if you qualify for the settlement, you’ve probably already been identified and contacted via email, text message, or physical mail.
But the short answer is, if you’re a monthly AT&T customer from California, there’s a good chance you’re part of the settlement group.
If you’re from California and had AT&T cell service between June 20, 2015, and June 16, 2022, you were probably charged the administrative fee, and you’re probably owed some settlement money.
How much will I get paid by AT&T — and when?
The class members who file claims will split the $14 million equally. While it’s unclear exactly how many AT&T customers are in this group, the settlement website guesses that each person would receive about $20 — or about 10 months’ worth of the charges.
The settlement will get final approval in a hearing scheduled for Nov. 3, and payouts will quickly follow.
If you’re owed money and you’re still an AT&T customer, you’d receive your settlement as an automatic credit to your account. Former customers will receive a check in the mail.
How do I claim money from the AT&T class action lawsuit?
Visit the Vianu v. AT&T settlement website to submit a claim. If you received a notice ID and confirmation code via email or physical mail, you may enter it on this page. If you didn’t, you can still file a claim by filling out your contact information.
When is the deadline to file a claim?
You have until 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on Saturday, Oct. 29, to file a claim in this class action settlement. That said, if you’re an AT&T customer who is not a California resident, there is a possibility that additional states (or a nationwide class) could file a similar lawsuit against AT&T.
