When a company settles a class action lawsuit, everyone who bought the product or used the service during a certain period can usually file a claim for a share of the money. Most people never do, so the money often goes unclaimed. Here's how to find settlements you qualify for and claim them safely.
Where to find open settlements
These free sites track open settlements, their deadlines and who qualifies:
- Top Class Actions lists open settlements and lets you filter for ones with no proof of purchase required.
- ClassAction.org has a searchable list with deadlines and links to each official claim form.
- OpenClassActions highlights no-proof settlements and upcoming deadlines.
These sites point you to the settlement. You always file the claim on the settlement's own official website, which is run by a court-approved settlement administrator.
How to file a claim
- Check that you qualify. Read the "Who is included" section of the settlement notice: the product, the date range and sometimes the state you lived in.
- Gather proof if it's required. Higher payouts usually need a receipt, order history or account number. Your email and online order history are often enough.
- File on the official settlement site listed in the court notice, before the deadline.
- Save your confirmation or claim ID in case the administrator follows up.
- Wait. Payments usually go out after the court gives final approval and any appeals are resolved, which often takes months.
What to expect
- Amounts vary. No-proof claims often pay a few dollars each. Claims with proof, or for larger losses, can pay much more. The final amount depends on how many people file and how large the settlement is after lawyers' fees.
- You give up the right to sue. Filing a claim usually means you release your own claims against the company over the same issue.
- Payment comes from the administrator by check, PayPal, prepaid card or another e-payment, depending on the settlement.
How to avoid settlement scams
- Never pay to file. Real settlements never charge you a fee to claim or receive your money.
- Don't give your Social Security number or bank login to a site you reached from an unexpected email or text. If you get a notice, look up the settlement on one of the tracking sites above and go to the official site from there.
- Be wary of urgent messages claiming you'll lose money unless you act today, or asking you to "verify" an account.
Don't forget unclaimed property
States hold billions in unclaimed money from old bank accounts, last paychecks, utility deposits and refunds. You can search 49 states at once for free on MissingMoney.com, the official site of the state unclaimed property administrators; Hawaii runs its own search. Search every state you've lived in, and ignore companies that offer to find your money for a fee.
See where to claim →