Visa-Mastercard Class Action Settlement 2025: Have you ever noticed that whenever you make payment using your credit card or debit card, shopkeepers and merchants charge some extra fee? These fees are often not directly visible to customers, but the burden ultimately falls on both the merchant and sometimes the consumer. In America, a legal battle went on for many years on this issue, and now in 2025, a major solution has emerged. It is being called Visa-Mastercard Class Action Settlement 2025.
Under this decision, eligible merchants are going to get huge compensation, and it is estimated that some businesses August also get a refund of $2000 or more. So let’s understand in detail what this settlement is, why it happened, who is eligible for it and what is the whole process of claiming.
What is Visa-Mastercard Class Action Settlement?
This case is actually related to the additional charges that Visa and Mastercard companies charged merchants. The allegation was that these companies took unfair advantage of their market dominance and imposed unfair and excessive fees on shopkeepers and merchants accepting card payments.
A Class Action Case was filed in the US court on this issue. It said that Visa and Mastercard not only abused their rules, but also forced merchants to pay more fees under one-sided terms. After years of litigation, the two companies finally settled out of court.
Under this settlement, both companies have agreed to return about $5.54 billion (US$5.54 billion). This amount will be distributed among all the merchants and businesses who accepted card payments during the stipulated period.
Who are the Class Members?
The people involved in the Settlement are called “Class Members”. This means all those persons or companies who:
- Between August 2004 and August 2019
- were active as a merchant or business in the US
- and who accepted payments from Visa or Mastercard
If you have taken card payments in your store, shop or online business during this period, then you can be a part of this Settlement.
How much money will be received?
This question is being asked the most that how much money will a merchant get in this Settlement.
Actually the amount will depend on many factors:
- How many Visa/Mastercard transactions did you make during that period.
- How many people filed a claim in total.
- How will the settlement amount be divided?
Still, experts estimate that many merchants August get a refund of $2000 or more.
How to check your eligibility?
If you want to know whether you are eligible in this settlement or not, then there are two main ways:
1. Check from the official website
You can go to www.paymentcardsettlement.com and enter your business information. Here you can check whether you are a part of this settlement or not by entering your Business Name or Tax ID.
2. Notice by mail
If you have already received the Class Action Notice by mail, then you can know your eligibility by logging in directly with the Claim Number and Confirmation Code given in it.
How to claim?
If you are eligible, then the next step is to fill the Claim Form. For this, you get two options:
- Fill the form online (through the website)
- Or download the form and send it by post
What information will be required while filling the form?
- Name of your business
- Tax ID (EIN)
- The year in which you made the transaction
- Estimated amount you accepted at that time
Deadline
The last date for filing the claim can be till mid-2025. However, its exact confirmation will be done on the official website only. Therefore, it is important to complete your process in time.
When will you get the money?
This is a legal process and naturally it will take time. If you have filed the claim correctly and all the documents are in order, then you can get the refund amount by the end of 2025 or early 2026.
Will there be any fee to be paid?
No. Filing a claim is absolutely free. If any person or organization asks you for money for this, then it is probably a fraud. So be careful and trust only the official website.
Will a lawyer be needed?
There is no need to hire a lawyer in this settlement. The court has already appointed Plaintiffs Lawyers who have fought this case on your behalf. So there is no need to hire a separate lawyer.
Will this refund be taxable?
This will depend on your tax records and IRS reporting. In many cases, such a refund is considered compensation for loss and is not taxed. Still, it would be best to confirm this with your tax advisor or accountant.
What if you did not receive the notice?
Many people have a question in their mind that if they did not receive the Class Action Notice, can they claim? The answer is – yes.
If you have accepted card payments between 2004 and 2019 and you have proof (records) of it, then you can still file a claim.
How to avoid fraud?
Cases of fraud come to the fore during any major settlement scheme. Therefore, it is very important to be cautious.
- Always visit the official website only.
- Do not enter your personal or financial information on any unknown website.
- If someone asks you for a fee, then understand that it is a fraud.
- Report suspicious activity to the concerned authorities.
Conclusion
Visa-Mastercard Class Action Settlement 2025 is not only a legal victory, but it is a big news of relief for millions of small and big businesses. Many merchants bore the burden of these extra charges for years and now the way is clear for them to get compensation for it.
If you have also accepted Visa/Mastercard card payments in your store or business between 2004 and 2019, then this opportunity is for you. Check your eligibility by visiting the official website and File a claim in time. This historic decision not only provides financial relief to merchants, but also sends a message to large financial institutions that unfair treatment of customers and merchants will not be tolerated.
FAQs:
Q. Who is eligible for the settlement?
A. Any U.S. business or merchant that accepted Visa and/or Mastercard debit or credit card payments between August 2004 and August 2019 August be eligible to claim part of the settlement.
Q. How much can a business receive from the settlement?
A. Eligible businesses can receive a portion of the $5.54 billion settlement fund. Refund amounts vary depending on the total fees the business paid during the eligible period. Some claims August be worth up to $2000 or more.
Q. What is the deadline to file a claim?
A. As of now, the claim submission deadline has not yet been officially announced. Stay tuned to the official settlement website or trusted news updates for final dates.