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Payment Card Settlement

Court-Authorized Outreach Program

Help your association members claim their share.

The education and outreach materials below are intended to encourage as many eligible businesses as possible to claim their share. For questions, special requirements or assistance with any materials, please message PCS@wrightoncomm.com.

Payment Card Settlement
TRADE ASSOCIATION TALKING POINTS

The Payment Card Settlement is an historic antitrust class-action settlement that provides some relief for millions of U.S. businesses after years of paying allegedly inflated Visa and Mastercard interchange fees.

Businesses that accepted Visa and/or Mastercard between January 1, 2004 and January 25, 2019 are encouraged to claim their share of this historic, court-approved $5.5 billion settlement.

The claims period began December 1, 2023 and has been extended to Feb. 4, 2025.

This settlement is big. It’s real. And claiming your share is simple.

  • Business owners in the class are mailed claim forms, which are also available online now.
  • Once you receive your claim form, submitting a claim can take as little as five minutes online or by mail.
  • The easiest and quickest method is to scan the unique QR code on each form. It opens a secure page in the claims portal that is prefilled with your unique credentials. For class members where data is available, it will also prefill your interchange fees paid during the 15-year class period, to the extent the data is available.
  • No-cost assistance is available from the claims administrator and Class Counsel.

The claims process is designed to be quick and easy for business owners so that each class member can claim 100% of their share without the need for third-party assistance. It is recommended that class members wait to receive and review their claim form prior to engaging any claims-filing company so they can assess the incremental value of paid filing assistance from a third party. Some claims-filing companies may seek up to 40% of your claim’s total so consider carefully whether such a service is right for your business.

Claim amounts for each class member will be calculated based upon a percentage of the interchange fees they paid during the Class Period as well as a variety of other factors, including the total number of valid claims received. Claim amounts will be calculated and processed following the close of the claims period. Please be patient.

The settlement’s $5.5B returns real money to America’s restauranteurs, retail merchants, and other businesses. We encourage you to share details about the Payment Card Settlement with your members.

Go to www.paymentcardsettlement.com for more information including a FAQ. For questions that can’t be answered by the settlement website, contact the claims administrator at info@PaymentCardSettlement.com or 1-800-625-6440.

The following educational articles and graphics are intended for educational purposes only such as sharing with association members via your website, intranet, blog or digital and print newsletters. Horizontal and square graphics for sharing with the article can be found in the Graphics section below.

Snippet (<50 words):

Are You a Business with a Claim to the $5.5B Payment Card Settlement?

The Payment Card Settlement is an historic antitrust class-action settlement of $5.5 billion that provides some relief for millions of U.S. merchants who accepted Visa and/or Mastercard from Jan. 1, 2004 to Jan. 25, 2019. Learn how to claim your share: www.PaymentCardSettlement.com

Article (<400 words):

Claim Your Share of the $5.5B Payment Card Settlement

The Payment Card Settlement is an historic antitrust class-action settlement that provides some relief for millions of U.S. merchants after 15 years of paying allegedly inflated Visa and Mastercard interchange fees. And the claims period has begun.

Business owners are encouraged to submit a claim to get their share of a court-approved $5.5 billion settlement before the claim period closes Feb. 4, 2025.

Millions of Businesses are Eligible.

Businesses that accepted Visa and/or Mastercard between Jan. 1, 2004 and Jan. 25, 2019 can now claim their share of the settlement. Millions of businesses are eligible. Many micro businesses, family businesses, minority-owned businesses and even bankrupt or shuttered businesses can get relief for their overpayments that occurred any time during the 15-year class period by filing a claim.

It’s Easy to Claim Your Share.

This settlement is big. It’s real. And claiming your share is simple.

It can take as little as five minutes to submit online or by mailing the completed claim form to the settlement administrator.

  • Business owners in the class are mailed claim forms, which are also available online now.
  • The easiest and quickest method to submit is scanning the unique QR code on your claim form.
  • The QR code will open a personalized, secure page in the claims portal that is prefilled with your unique credentials.
  • For most class members, where data is available, it will also prefill your interchange fees paid during the 15-year class period, to the extent data is available.
  • No-cost assistance is available from the settlement administrator and Class Counsel.

Your claim amount will be calculated based upon a percentage of the interchange fees your business paid during the Class Period as well as a variety of other factors, including the total number of valid claims received. Claim amounts will be calculated and processed following the close of the claims period. Please be patient.

To receive a claim payment, a business must file a claim before the claim period ends.

Some class members will need to take additional steps and provide supporting data to show their share of eligible payment card transactions and / or interchange fees during the period.

If you didn't receive a claim form or can't find your claim form, contact the settlement administrator at info@PaymentCardSettlement.com or 1-800-625-6440.

Third-Party Filer Article (600 words):

Understanding the Payment Card Settlement and Third-Party Claims Filers
By Alexandra Bernay, Partner, Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP

There are a number of companies that are in the business of filing claims on behalf of class members in class-action settlements such as the upcoming Payment Card Settlement. These companies are often referred to as third-party claims filers.

Third-party claim filers often tout their ability to increase claims rates in class-action settlements. They advertise that they will ease a business owner’s burden – reducing the paperwork that might be needed to file a claim – and work to ensure that class members receive the full value of their claims. In exchange, they are paid a share of the class members’ settlement amount which can be between 10 and 40 percent of the final claim amount. Third-party claims filers get paid when the class member receives their settlement check.

Things to know if you’re solicited by a third-party claims filer

Class members in the Payment Card Settlement are being contacted by these third-party claims filers. It’s important for class members to understand that the claims process for this historic $5.5 billion settlement is designed to be quick and easy so that each class member can receive 100 percent of their share without the need for third-party assistance. Claim forms will be mailed soon, and each class member should plan to review and evaluate their claim form data before making a decision on third-party claims assistance.

The Court has set forth certain disclaimers that must accompany any and all solicitations from these third-party filers in the Payment Card Settlement. This was deemed necessary after the Court determined that a number of companies were soliciting class members to sign up for services through false and misleading representations. As the Court wrote in an order barring one such company from working in any way on the settlement in the Payment Card Case:

“The Court’s authority is clear, and its obligation to protect class members is strong. The only effective way to avoid confusion and intolerable inefficiencies in the claims filing process is to be firm: any third-party claims filing company that knowingly makes – directly or through an agent acting on its behalf – material false or misleading statements to merchants in an effort to solicit their business risks being permanently enjoined from filing claims in this case.” Order of October 3, 2014 at 3.

The Court and Class Counsel have been involved in many hearings related to various claims-filing companies over the past 10 years. It is an issue that many business owners have dealt with as well. Hundreds of calls have come into the Court-approved claims administrator’s toll-free line from class members with questions regarding third-party claims filers.

What to do if you’re concerned about a solicitation

Class members concerned about these solicitations can contact the claims administrator or Class Counsel at info@PaymentCardSettlement.com or 1-800-625-6440.

While these businesses are allowed to operate, misleading statements to drum up business are not acceptable and in certain cases, Class Counsel has not hesitated to raise these matters with the Court.

Consider carefully whether such a service is right for you

Class members considering hiring an outside service to file their claim are encouraged to review the claim form when it’s available to determine whether any assistance is needed. The claims process is intended to be simple, with most class members being able to file their claim within five minutes, either online or via paper claims forms. The incremental value of hiring a filing service versus giving up as much as 40 percent of the recovery may not be in a business’s interest.

Questions regarding third-party filing companies should be sent to info@paymentcardsettlement.com or to xanb@rgrdlaw.com.

The following social post has been drafted to help you guide your members to settlement resources. Click the next menu to view graphics for social media.

AUGUST TO FEBRUARY CONTENT

Good news! If you’re one of the millions of business owners who accepted Visa and / or Mastercard from January 1 2004 – January 25, 2019, the $5.5B settlement returns real money to America’s retail merchants, restaurants and other businesses like gift shops, florists, dry cleaners and more. If you were mailed a claim form, submit your claim online at PaymentCardSettlement.com or in the provided return envelope before the claims period closes Feb 4, 2025 to get your share!

SUGGESTED STORIES

See Graphics folder for claim form animations and videos.

Click on a thumbnail image for a zip file with social media graphics. Each graphic includes a space where you can add your association’s branding. For special requests or needs, contact us at PCS@wrightoncomm.com.

Deadline Extended Until Feb. 4, 2025 in $5.5B Payment Card Claims Process

Millions of businesses now have more time to participate in massive settlement but must submit claims by new Feb. 4, 2025 deadline

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK — August 13, 2024 — In a development that helps ensure more businesses can submit a claim and participate in the unprecedented class action lawsuit “In re Payment Card Interchange Fee and Merchant Discount Antitrust Litigation,” the Court has extended the claim submission date. The new deadline is Feb. 4, 2025. The official claims portal remains PaymentCardSettlement.com

The $5.5 billion settlement is the nation’s largest antitrust class-action settlement in history and aims to return real money to merchants and businesses nationwide.

Claims can be submitted easily and in as little as five minutes on the claims portal or by mail, without the need for third-party assistance.

The extension helps all eligible businesses, in particular small and independent businesses who accepted credit or debit cards during the class period. These independent and smaller businesses often have limited resources, and the extension provides more time to submit a claim in the settlement.

Only businesses that submit a claim by the extended deadline will get money from the settlement. The settlement comes after a 19-year court battle centered on business owners paying allegedly inflated Visa and Mastercard interchange fees.

Who qualifies?
Criteria is simple: Any size business that accepted Visa and/or Mastercard credit or debit cards in the U.S. between Jan. 1, 2004 and Jan. 25, 2019 may be eligible. Even shuttered or bankrupt businesses, or those with new owners can submit a claim, but must do so before the new deadline.

How do I file a claim?
Claims can be submitted online at PaymentCardSettlement.com. The process can take as little as five minutes.

Claim submission methods include:

  • Online with a QR code:
    Business owners who receive a claim form by mail can scan the QR code on the form, and after validation they are taken to a secure, personalized page on the claims portal pre-filled with business credentials.
  • Online with a Tax Identification Number (TIN):
    Business owners without a claim form can visit the claims portal, use a TIN to confirm their identity and authorization, then follow the easy steps to submit. Submitters should be ready with documentation confirming their authorizing to file a claim on behalf of the business.
  • By mail:
    Claims can also be submitted by mail. For further instructions, visit the claims portal.

How much will I get?
There is no set amount – payments will be calculated after all claims are filed and validated, and will depend on the value of all eligible payment card transactions and the number of claims received, among other factors, and may range from tens of dollars to hundreds of thousands or more.

Comments from Co-Lead Counsel:
“Class Counsel is happy to share this good news with merchants who accepted Visa and Mastercard during the class period and haven’t yet claimed their share of the Settlement,” noted Alexandra “Xan” Bernay, partner at Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP, and one of three Co-Lead Counsel firms on the case. “Businesses will now be able to submit a claim until February 4, 2025 in this truly huge settlement. This extension ensures that as many eligible merchants as possible can rightfully claim their share.”

Business Resources:

Media Resources:

If you would like Co-Counsel to hold an educational webinar for your businesses organization, please contact the Education and Outreach team at WOCMedia@wrightoncomm.com.

Media Contact
(W)right On Communications, Larry Smalheiser
WOCMedia@wrightoncomm.com

Deadline Extended by 90 Days in Payment Card Settlement Claims Process

Businesses now have more time to participate in massive $5.5B settlement but must submit claims by new Feb 4, 2025 deadline

BROOKLYN, N.Y., May 28, 2024 — In a move that helps ensure more businesses can submit a claim and participate in the unprecedented class action lawsuit "In re Payment Card Interchange Fee and Merchant Discount Antitrust Litigation," the Court has extended the claim submission date by 90 days.

The new, extended deadline to file a claim is Feb 4, 2025. Claims can be submitted in as little as five minutes on the claims portal at PaymentCardSettlement.com, or by mail. The massive $5.5 billion settlement is the nation's largest antitrust class-action settlement in history.

This extension helps all eligible businesses, and in particular small businesses, which often have limited resources, by giving them more time to take action.

Only businesses that submit a claim by the extended deadline will get money from the settlement. The settlement comes after a 19-year court battle centered on business owners paying allegedly inflated Visa and Mastercard interchange fees.

Who qualifies?
Claim submission criteria is simple: Businesses and other merchants that accepted Visa and/or Mastercard credit or debit cards in the U.S. between January 1, 2004 and January 25, 2019 may be eligible. Even shuttered or bankrupt businesses, or those that changed owners can submit a claim by the extended deadline.

Submit online with a QR code:
More than 18 million businesses received claim forms by mail. Business owners can simply scan the QR code on the claim form and are then taken to a personalized, secure page in the claims portal pre-filled with business credentials.

Submit online with a Tax Identification Number (TIN):
Business owners without a claim form can go to the claims portal, use a TIN to confirm their identity, then follow a few easy steps to submit. Be prepared with documentation confirming authorization to file a claim on behalf of the business, such as a W-9 form.

Submit by mail:
Claims can also be submitted by mail. Visit PaymentCardSettlement.com for instructions.

How much can my business get?
There is no set amount – payments will be calculated after all claims are filed and validated and will depend on the value of all eligible payment card transactions and the number of claims received, among other factors, and they could range from tens of dollars to hundreds of thousands.

Comments from Co-lead Counsel:
"We're happy to share this good news with Visa and Mastercard merchants who haven't yet claimed their share of the landmark Payment Card Interchange Fee Settlement," commented Alexandra "Xan" Bernay, Co-Lead Counsel on the case, and partner at Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP. "Businesses now have until Feb 4, 2025 to participate in this extraordinary settlement that goes back 20 years. The extension ensures that eligible merchants have more time to take action and claim their share."

Business Resources:

Media Resources:

SOURCE Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP

Media Contact
(W)right On Communications, Larry Smalheiser
WOCMedia@wrightoncomm.com

Millions of U.S. Businesses Eligible for a Share of $5.54B Payment Card Settlement

Class members nationwide who accepted Visa and/or Mastercard payment cards during the 15-year class period are encouraged to file claims starting today with easy-to-follow process

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK — Dec. 1, 2023 — Today, the claim submission process begins for the largest private antitrust class-action settlement in U.S. history, and millions of business owners nationwide are expected to submit claims to get their portion of the court-approved $5.54 billion settlement.

The settlement is unprecedented, and the claims process is straightforward and streamlined. Claim forms are being mailed to class members throughout December by the U.S. Postal Service.

The class includes millions of U.S. businesses that accepted Visa and/or Mastercard credit or debit cards between Jan. 1, 2004 and Jan. 25, 2019 and who did not previously opt out. Full details are available on the settlement website, www.PaymentCardSettlement.com, where class members may also file a claim for their share of the settlement based on their estimated Visa and/or Mastercard interchange fees and other factors during the class period.

"This is an historic antitrust class-action settlement that provides some relief for U.S. merchants after years of paying allegedly inflated Visa and Mastercard interchange fees," said K. Craig Wildfang, of Robins Kaplan LLP, co-counsel on the litigation alongside Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP and Berger Montague PC.

"The case has been winding its way through the court system for nearly 20 years. Now we look forward to helping class members with the claims process and getting the benefits of the settlement into their hands," said Alexandra Bernay, partner at Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP.

On March 15, 2023, the Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit unanimously upheld the district court's order giving final approval to the $5.54 billion settlement on behalf of U.S. merchants in the "In re Payment Card Interchange Fee and Merchant Discount Antitrust Litigation" class action lawsuit. The case relates to claims that merchants allegedly paid excessive fees to accept Visa and Mastercard cards. The suit alleged that Visa and Mastercard and their member banks acted in violation of the antitrust laws.

Businesses should look for claim forms in the mail beginning in December and can follow the instructions on the form to file a claim online or by mail. For further information and updates on the Payment Card Settlement, including a timeline, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), and related documents, please visit www.PaymentCardSettlement.com.

Media Contact
(W)right On Communications, Larry Smalheiser
WOCMedia@wrightoncomm.com

  • View our webinar on YouTube to learn why there is a settlement and how to claim your share. It’s led by Co-lead Counsel on the Payment Card Case Xan Bernay. And includes:

    • 00:00 What's this case about?
    • 11:45 Who is in the class?
    • 14:45 What is the claims process?
    • 18:24 How to file a claim
    • 29:26 Q&A

Favor de compartir estos materiales educativos en español con todos los miembros de la cámara y de su asociación para ayudarlos a entender mejor el Acuerdo de Conciliación de Tarjetas de Pago y cómo reclamar la parte que les corresponde de los $5.5 mil millones del acuerdo:

  • Video de un minuto

  • Entrevista con la dueña de un restaurante

Comunicado de prensa

Extienden plazo hasta el 4 de febrero del 2025 en el proceso de reclamación de tarjetas de pago por $5.5 mil millones de dólares

Millones de empresas tienen ahora más tiempo para participar en el acuerdo masivo, pero deben presentar su reclamación antes de la nueva fecha límite del 4 de febrero del 2025

BROOKLYN, NUEVA YORK — 13 de agosto de 2024 — En una medida que ayuda a garantizar que más empresas puedan presentar una reclamación y participar en la demanda colectiva sin precedentes "In re Payment Card Interchange Fee and Merchant Discount Antitrust Litigation", la Corte ha extendido la fecha de presentación de reclamaciones. La nueva fecha límite es el 4 de febrero del 2025. El portal oficial de reclamaciones es PaymentCardSettlement.com.

El acuerdo legal de 5.5 mil millones de dólares es el acuerdo de conciliación de la demanda colectiva antimonopolio más grande de la historia del país y tiene como objetivo devolver dinero real a los comerciantes y empresas de todo el país.

Las reclamaciones se pueden presentar fácilmente y toma tan solo cinco minutos en el portal de reclamaciones o por correo postal, sin necesidad de asistencia de terceros.

La extensión ayuda a todas las empresas que califican, en particular a las pequeñas empresas independientes que aceptaron pagos con tarjetas de crédito o débito durante el período de la demanda. Estas empresas independientes y más pequeñas a menudo tienen recursos limitados, y la extensión proporciona más tiempo para presentar una reclamación y participar en el acuerdo.

Solo las empresas que presenten una reclamación antes de la fecha límite extendida recibirán dinero del acuerdo. El acuerdo se produce después de una batalla legal de 19 años en las Cortes bajo el argumento de que los propietarios de negocios pagaron tarifas de intercambio de Visa y Mastercard supuestamente infladas.

¿Quién califica?
El criterio es simple: las empresas de cualquier tamaño que aceptaron tarjetas de crédito o débito Visa y/o Mastercard en los EE. UU. entre el 1 de enero del 2004 y el 25 de enero del 2019 pueden calificar. Incluso las empresas en bancarrota, aquellas que ya cerraron, o que cambiaron de propietario pueden presentar una reclamación, pero deben hacerlo antes de la nueva fecha límite.

¿Cómo presento una reclamación?
Las reclamaciones se pueden presentar en línea en PaymentCardSettlement.com. El proceso puede tardar tan solo cinco minutos.

Los métodos de presentación de reclamaciones incluyen:

  • En línea con un código QR:
    Los propietarios de negocios que reciban un formulario de reclamación por correo postal pueden escanear el código QR en el formulario y, después de la validación, son llevados a una página segura y personalizada en el portal de reclamaciones que contiene la información de su empresa.
  • En línea con Número de Identificación Fiscal (TIN):
    Los propietarios de negocios que no tengan un formulario de reclamación pueden visitar el portal de reclamaciones, usar un TIN para confirmar su identidad y autorización, y luego seguir pasos muy sencillos para enviarlo. Deben estar listos con documentación que demuestre que está autorizado para presentar una reclamación en nombre de la empresa.
  • Por correo postal:
    Las reclamaciones también se pueden presentar por correo postal. Para obtener más instrucciones, visite el portal de reclamaciones.

¿Cuánto recibiré?
No hay una cantidad fija: los pagos se calcularán después de que se presenten y validen todas las reclamaciones, y dependerán del valor de todas las transacciones con tarjeta de pago que califiquen y de a cantidad de reclamaciones recibidas, entre otros factores, y podrían oscilar entre decenas y cientos de miles de dólares.

Comentarios de la abogada co-principal:
"Los abogados de la demanda colectiva se complacen en compartir esta buena noticia con los comerciantes que aceptaron Visa y Mastercard durante el período de la demanda colectiva y aún no han reclamado su parte del Acuerdo", señaló Alexandra "Xan" Bernay, socia de Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP, y una de las tres firmas de abogados principales en el caso. "Las empresas ahora podrán presentar una reclamación hasta el 4 de febrero del 2025 para participar en este acuerdo verdaderamente extraordinario. Esta extensión garantiza que los comerciantes que califican puedan reclamar legítimamente su parte".

Recursos Empresariales:

Recursos para los medios de comunicación:

Si desea solicitar un Webinar educativo para su organización o empresa, comuníquese con el equipo de Educación y Divulgación en WOCMedia@wrightoncomm.com.

Media Contact
(W)right On Communications, Larry Smalheiser
WOCMedia@wrightoncomm.com

Contacto con los medios de comunicación
Tatiana Martínez. Tatiana.martinez@tamar.uno

Comunicado de prensa (28 de mayo de 2024) (PDF)
Comunicado de prensa (original) (PDF)

Artículo de 500 palabras (Texto):

Reclame su parte del acuerdo histórico de conciliación de tarjetas de pago por $5.5 mil millones a favor de comerciantes

El Acuerdo de Conciliación de Tarjetas de Pago es un acuerdo histórico de demanda colectiva antimonopolio que brinda cierto alivio a millones de comerciantes estadounidenses después de 15 años de pagar tarifas de intercambio supuestamente infladas a Visa y Mastercard. Y el período para presentar reclamaciones ya comenzó.

Es importante que los propietarios de negocios presenten una reclamación para obtener la parte que les corresponde del acuerdo de conciliación por $5.5 mil millones aprobado por la corte antes de que cierre el período de presentación de reclamaciones el 4 de febrero del 2025.

Millones de empresas califican.

Las empresas que aceptaron pagos con Visa y/o Mastercard entre el 1 de enero del 2004 y el 25 de enero del 2019 pueden reclamar su parte del acuerdo. Millones de empresas califican. Muchas microempresas, empresas familiares, empresas de minorías e incluso empresas en bancarrota o que cerraron, pueden obtener cierto alivio por los sobrecargos que pagaron en cualquier momento durante el período de la demanda colectiva de 15 años al presentar una reclamación.

Es fácil presentar una reclamación

Este acuerdo es grande. Es real. Y es fácil presentar una reclamación.

Puede tomar tan solo cinco minutos enviarla en línea o por correo postal al administrador del acuerdo.

  • A los dueños de negocios del grupo demandante se les enviaron formularios de reclamación por correo postal desde diciembre. Los formularios también están disponibles en línea.
  • La manera más fácil y rápida de envío es escanear el código QR del formulario.
  • El código QR abre una página personalizada y segura dentro del portal de reclamaciones que contiene la información de su empresa.
  • También incluye, para la mayoría de los miembros del grupo demandante, todas las tarifas de intercambio que fueron pagadas durante el período de la demanda de 15 años, en la medida en que la información esté disponible.
  • El administrador del acuerdo y los abogados de la demanda colectiva ofrecen asistencia sin costo.

El monto de su reclamación se calculará en base a un porcentaje de las tarifas de intercambio que su empresa pagó durante el período de la demanda colectiva, así como una gran variedad de otros factores, incluyendo el número total de reclamaciones válidas recibidas. Los montos de las reclamaciones se calcularán y procesarán una vez finalizado el período de reclamaciones. Por favor, sea paciente.

Para recibir el pago, la empresa debe presentar su reclamación antes de que finalice el período de reclamaciones.

Algunos miembros del grupo demandante deberán tomar medidas adicionales y proporcionar información de apoyo para demostrar su participación en las transacciones con tarjeta de pago y/o las tarifas de intercambio durante el período de la demanda.

Si no recibió o no encuentra el formulario de reclamación, comuníquese con el administrador del acuerdo a info@PaymentCardSettlement.com o al 1-800-625-6440.

For questions about the settlement, check the FAQ published on the settlement website: PaymentCardSettlement.com/en/Home/FAQ

For more assistance, please contact the settlement administrator: 1-800-625-6440 or info@PaymentCardSettlement.com

Thank you for helping your members claim their share.

Please contact our outreach and education team at PCS@wrightoncomm.com with any additional needs, questions or requests.

@paymentcardsettlement    @paymentcardcase    Payment Card Settlement    @paymentcardsettlement

Copyright © 2023. All rights reserved.

Are You a Business with a Claim to the $5.5B Payment Card Settlement? The Payment Card Settlement is an historic antitrust class-action settlement of $5.5 billion that provides some relief for millions of U.S. merchants who accepted Visa and/or Mastercard from Jan. 1, 2004 to Jan. 25, 2019. Learn how to claim your share: www.PaymentCardSettlement.com

Claim Your Share of the $5.5B Payment Card Settlement The Payment Card Settlement is an historic antitrust class-action settlement that provides some relief for millions of U.S. merchants after 15 years of paying allegedly inflated Visa and Mastercard interchange fees. And the claims period has begun. Business owners are encouraged to submit a claim to get their share of a court-approved $5.5 billion settlement before the claim period closes Feb. 4, 2025. Millions of Businesses are Eligible. Businesses that accepted Visa and/or Mastercard between Jan. 1, 2004 and Jan. 25, 2019 can now claim their share of the settlement. Millions of businesses are eligible. Many micro businesses, family businesses, minority-owned businesses and even bankrupt or shuttered businesses can get relief for their overpayments that occurred any time during the 15-year class period by filing a claim. It’s Easy to Claim Your Share. This settlement is big. It’s real. And claiming your share is simple. It can take as little as five minutes to submit online or by mailing the completed claim form to the settlement administrator. Business owners in the class are mailed claim forms, which are also available online now. The easiest and quickest method to submit is scanning the unique QR code on your claim form. The QR code will open a personalized, secure page in the claims portal that is prefilled with your unique credentials. For most class members, where data is available, it will also prefill your interchange fees paid during the 15-year class period, to the extent data is available. No-cost assistance is available from the settlement administrator and Class Counsel. Your claim amount will be calculated based upon a percentage of the interchange fees your business paid during the Class Period as well as a variety of other factors, including the total number of valid claims received. Claim amounts will be calculated and processed following the close of the claims period. Please be patient. To receive a claim payment, a business must file a claim before the claim period ends. Some class members will need to take additional steps and provide supporting data to show their share of eligible payment card transactions and / or interchange fees during the period. If you didn't receive a claim form or can't find your claim form, contact the settlement administrator at info@PaymentCardSettlement.com or 1-800-625-6440.

Understanding the Payment Card Settlement and Third-Party Claims Filers By Alexandra Bernay, Partner, Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP There are a number of companies that are in the business of filing claims on behalf of class members in class-action settlements such as the upcoming Payment Card Settlement. These companies are often referred to as third-party claims filers. Third-party claim filers often tout their ability to increase claims rates in class-action settlements. They advertise that they will ease a business owner’s burden – reducing the paperwork that might be needed to file a claim – and work to ensure that class members receive the full value of their claims. In exchange, they are paid a share of the class members’ settlement amount which can be between 10 and 40 percent of the final claim amount. Third-party claims filers get paid when the class member receives their settlement check. Things to know if you’re solicited by a third-party claims filer Class members in the Payment Card Settlement are being contacted by these third-party claims filers. It’s important for class members to understand that the claims process for this historic $5.5 billion settlement is designed to be quick and easy so that each class member can receive 100 percent of their share without the need for third-party assistance. Claim forms will be mailed soon, and each class member should plan to review and evaluate their claim form data before making a decision on third-party claims assistance. The Court has set forth certain disclaimers that must accompany any and all solicitations from these third-party filers in the Payment Card Settlement. This was deemed necessary after the Court determined that a number of companies were soliciting class members to sign up for services through false and misleading representations. As the Court wrote in an order barring one such company from working in any way on the settlement in the Payment Card Case: “The Court’s authority is clear, and its obligation to protect class members is strong. The only effective way to avoid confusion and intolerable inefficiencies in the claims filing process is to be firm: any third-party claims filing company that knowingly makes – directly or through an agent acting on its behalf – material false or misleading statements to merchants in an effort to solicit their business risks being permanently enjoined from filing claims in this case.” Order of October 3, 2014 at 3. The Court and Class Counsel have been involved in many hearings related to various claims-filing companies over the past 10 years. It is an issue that many business owners have dealt with as well. Hundreds of calls have come into the Court-approved claims administrator’s toll-free line from class members with questions regarding third-party claims filers. What to do if you’re concerned about a solicitation Class members concerned about these solicitations can contact the claims administrator or Class Counsel at info@PaymentCardSettlement.com or 1-800-625-6440. While these businesses are allowed to operate, misleading statements to drum up business are not acceptable and in certain cases, Class Counsel has not hesitated to raise these matters with the Court. Consider carefully whether such a service is right for you Class members considering hiring an outside service to file their claim are encouraged to review the claim form when it’s available to determine whether any assistance is needed. The claims process is intended to be simple, with most class members being able to file their claim within five minutes, either online or via paper claims forms. The incremental value of hiring a filing service versus giving up as much as 40 percent of the recovery may not be in a business’s interest. Questions regarding third-party filing companies should be sent to info@paymentcardsettlement.com or to xanb@rgrdlaw.com.

Reclame su parte del acuerdo histórico de conciliación de tarjetas de pago por $5.5 mil millones a favor de comerciantes El Acuerdo de Conciliación de Tarjetas de Pago es un acuerdo histórico de demanda colectiva antimonopolio que brinda cierto alivio a millones de comerciantes estadounidenses después de 15 años de pagar tarifas de intercambio supuestamente infladas a Visa y Mastercard. Y el período para presentar reclamaciones ya comenzó. Es importante que los propietarios de negocios presenten una reclamación para obtener la parte que les corresponde del acuerdo de conciliación por $5.5 mil millones aprobado por la corte antes de que cierre el período de presentación de reclamaciones el 4 de febrero del 2025. Millones de empresas califican. Las empresas que aceptaron pagos con Visa y/o Mastercard entre el 1 de enero del 2004 y el 25 de enero del 2019 pueden reclamar su parte del acuerdo. Millones de empresas califican. Muchas microempresas, empresas familiares, empresas de minorías e incluso empresas en bancarrota o que cerraron, pueden obtener cierto alivio por los sobrecargos que pagaron en cualquier momento durante el período de la demanda colectiva de 15 años al presentar una reclamación. Es fácil presentar una reclamación Este acuerdo es grande. Es real. Y es fácil presentar una reclamación. Puede tomar tan solo cinco minutos enviarla en línea o por correo postal al administrador del acuerdo. A los dueños de negocios del grupo demandante se les enviaron formularios de reclamación por correo postal desde diciembre. Los formularios también están disponibles en línea. La manera más fácil y rápida de envío es escanear el código QR del formulario. El código QR abre una página personalizada y segura dentro del portal de reclamaciones que contiene la información de su empresa. También incluye, para la mayoría de los miembros del grupo demandante, todas las tarifas de intercambio que fueron pagadas durante el período de la demanda de 15 años, en la medida en que la información esté disponible. El administrador del acuerdo y los abogados de la demanda colectiva ofrecen asistencia sin costo. El monto de su reclamación se calculará en base a un porcentaje de las tarifas de intercambio que su empresa pagó durante el período de la demanda colectiva, así como una gran variedad de otros factores, incluyendo el número total de reclamaciones válidas recibidas. Los montos de las reclamaciones se calcularán y procesarán una vez finalizado el período de reclamaciones. Por favor, sea paciente. Para recibir el pago, la empresa debe presentar su reclamación antes de que finalice el período de reclamaciones. Algunos miembros del grupo demandante deberán tomar medidas adicionales y proporcionar información de apoyo para demostrar su participación en las transacciones con tarjeta de pago y/o las tarifas de intercambio durante el período de la demanda. Si no recibió o no encuentra el formulario de reclamación, comuníquese con el administrador del acuerdo a info@PaymentCardSettlement.com o al 1-800-625-6440.