Major Class Action Settlement for Non-Bank ATM Withdrawal Fees Announced

Proposed Class Action Settlement Overview

Finkelstein Thompson LLP and Lovell Stewart Halebian Jacobson LLP are announcing a significant class action settlement that could benefit many consumers who have used non-bank ATMs. If you withdrew cash between October 24, 2007, and August 14, 2026, you might be eligible for a share of a $167.5 million settlement due to excessive surcharges.

Background of the Lawsuit

The ongoing lawsuit involves major credit card companies, Visa Inc. and Mastercard Incorporated, which are accused of violating antitrust laws. They allegedly imposed restrictive operating rules that prevented independent ATM operators from offering competitive access fee discounts. Consequently, consumers paying surcharges for ATM withdrawals faced higher costs for using these machines. Although both companies deny wrongdoing, the settlement aims to provide financial restitution to affected individuals.

The case, known as Burke v. Visa Inc., operates under the jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. Additional related lawsuits include Mackmin v. Visa Inc. and National ATM Council v. Visa Inc., each addressing similar claims concurrently. However, decisions made in the Burke case will not influence rights concerning the other suits.

Who's Eligible?

If you are located within the United States and have incurred access fees from an independent ATM during the specified period, you are likely included in this nationwide class. Specific state classes also exist for consumers in California, Illinois, Massachusetts, and Michigan. Furthermore, you must not have received full reimbursement from your bank for these fees.

Anyone who qualified can find comprehensive details on eligibility and claims submission through the official website: NonbankATMSurchargeSettlement.com.

Settlement Fund Distribution

The settlement consists of contributions from Visa ($88,775,000) and Mastercard ($78,725,000). After accounting for legal fees and settlement-related expenses, the remaining funds will be distributed evenly among verified claimants based on their claims.

Claim Process

To obtain compensation, you need to fill out a claim form, which can be submitted either online or via mail, by the deadline of February 10, 2027. It is crucial to ensure that your submission is postmarked by this date to qualify for the settlement.

Your Legal Rights

It's essential to understand that if you do not take any action, you will still be bound by the court's decisions. If you prefer to retain your right to sue Visa and Mastercard individually, you need to exclude yourself from the class settlement by December 11, 2026. Alternatively, if you have objections to the settlement terms, these must also be voiced by the same date. Detailed procedures for exclusion or filing objections are outlined on the settlement website.

To finalize approval of the settlement and related fees, a court hearing is scheduled for February 17, 2027. Interested parties, including your own attorney, are permitted to attend and present their case if they choose.

For additional information or questions, consumers can call 1-866-893-1052 or visit the settlement site. Spanish-speaking individuals can also request information in Spanish through the provided contact options.

In conclusion, this settlement represents a significant financial opportunity for consumers who have faced undue ATM access fees for transactions over the past years. Ensuring you are informed and taking action could mean a financial reprieve for many who have been impacted.