Yes, the Verizon class action lawsuit settlement email is real

A settlement has been reached in a $100 million class action lawsuit that claims Verizon misled wireless customers in the U.S. by charging a monthly administration fee that “was unfair and not adequately disclosed,” according to Top Class Actions. Verizon has denied any wrongdoing but agreed to settle the case. 

In early January, multiple Reddit users wanted to know if emails they recently received about the settlement were real. 

“Did anyone else receive an email about this?” one Reddit user asked. A member of the VERIFY team also got the email. 

THE QUESTION

Is the Verizon class action settlement email real?

THE SOURCES 

• Verizon class action settlement website
• Court documents
• Rich Young, Verizon’s director of corporate communications covering cyber security, legal, federal and state public policy, legislative and regulatory affairs and human resources/labor relations

THE ANSWER 

Yes, the Verizon class action settlement email is real. 

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WHAT WE FOUND 

Emails related to the Verizon class action lawsuit settlement are legitimate, according to the official settlement website. 

The settlement class includes 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, per Verizon's records, should receive a notice of the settlement either by email or mail. A postpaid service is a traditional contract, as opposed to a prepaid service plan.

You can file a claim online via the settlement website or by mail. You must submit a valid claim by April 15, 2024, to receive payment from the settlement. 

If you file a valid claim by the deadline and are eligible to receive a payment, you may receive up to $100. However, the settlement website says “the final amount may be lower depending on how long you were a Verizon subscriber and how many settlement class members file valid claims.”

Verizon will continue to charge the administration fee at the center of the lawsuit but plans to adjust its customer agreement to include revised disclosures about the charge as part of the settlement. 

“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. “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.”

A hearing is scheduled for March 22 to consider whether the settlement should be approved as fair, reasonable and adequate. After the hearing, the court will decide whether to approve the settlement. Payments will be issued after the settlement is approved and finalized. 

The TEGNA digital team contributed to this report.

This story is also available in Spanish / Lee este artículo también en español: Sí, el correo electrónico sobre la resolución de una demanda colectiva contra Verizon es real