Check Your Eligibility in These Class-Action Settlements from Whirlpool, Wells Fargo
Unwanted text messages, leaky refrigerators, fake discounts and more top the list of the latest major class-action settlements.
Hyundai Sonata ‘Smart Trunk’
Carmaker Hyundai has agreed to settle allegations that the “Smart Trunk” feature in Sonata sedans are defective.
Instead of opening fully after the consumer presses the key fob for three seconds, the lawsuit alleged the trunk only opened a few inches. The consumer would have to manually push open the trunk lid, negating the perk of having a “hands-free” Smart Trunk as it was advertised.
The settlement affects consumers who own or lease or previously owned or leased a 2015 to 2017 Hyundai Sonata that included the Smart Trunk feature.
Four different types of compensation are available, from $50 cash payments to warranty extensions. Click here for details and to file a claim by the Jan. 3, 2020 deadline.
Rack Room Shoes Text Messages
If you’re enrolled in the Rack Room Rewards Program or Off Broadway Reward Program through Rack Room Shoes, you could be eligible to share a portion of a $26 million settlement.
A class-action lawsuit alleged Rack Room violated the Telephone Consumer Protection Act by sending text messages to rewards club members without their permission.
If you were a member of either rewards program and received a text message on or after April 2, 2014, you could be eligible for a $10 voucher plus $5 in cash.
Payment amounts may be subject to change based on the number of claims filed and the net settlement funds available after administration costs, court costs, attorneys’ fees and service awards are deducted.
Click here to file a claim by the Jan. 31, 2020 deadline.
Wells Fargo Robocalls, Texts
Are you NOT a customer of Wells Fargo, but received automated phone calls or texts from the bank anyway? If so, you could be eligible for part of an $18 million settlement.
Wells Fargo allegedly violated the TCPA by contacting people who were not bank customers regarding auto loans, credit card accounts, student loans, mortgages and overdrafts.
The actual cash award each consumer receives will depend on the number of valid claims filed. Consumers qualify for the class action settlement if they were called between certain dates regarding particular Wells Fargo services.
For more information and to submit a claim by the Dec. 23, 2019 deadline, click here.
GNC Sale That Wasn’t
GNC has agreed to pay a $6 million settlement over allegations that it tricked consumers into believing supplements were being sold at a discounted price.
The settlement resolves three class-action lawsuits that claimed a promotion on GNC.com portrayed products on sale even though the products never were sold at a higher “original” price.
Consumers who purchased an item on sale or through a promotion from GNC.com between Jan. 1, 2012 and Sept. 9, 2019 are eligible to receive $5 cash or a $15 voucher toward a future purchase, plus a coupon for $30 off any $100 purchase.
Click here and file your claim by the Dec. 19, 2019 deadline.
TD Bank Overdraft Fees
A $70 million settlement will compensate TD Bank account holders who allegedly were victims of deceptive overdraft fee policies.
The case claimed TD Bank optimized overdraft fees charging them in numerous circumstances, including when there was money in customers’ accounts.
Potential awards vary. Click here and file a claim by the Feb. 7, 2020 deadline.
Premera Blue Cross Data Breach
Premera Blue Cross has agreed to a $74 million settlement after their computer systems were hacked on March 17, 2015, exposing the private information of millions of consumers.
Data included “names, dates of birth, mailing addresses, telephone numbers, email addresses, Social Security numbers, member identification numbers, medical claims information, financial information, and other protected health information,” according to the suit.
Premera will pay $32 million to consumers who can obtain free credit monitoring services and a $50 default payment. California consumers are entitled to an additional $50.
Alternatively, consumers can claim free credit monitoring and actual out-of-pocket losses of up to $10,000.
Consumers also may be able to claim up to 20 hours of time spent dealing with security incident at $20 per hour.
The company also agreed to spend $42 million to improve its cybersecurity.
For more information click here and file a claim by March 30, 2020.
Plantronics Wireless Headphones
If your Plantronics BackBeat FIT wireless headphones don’t hold a charge for eight hours or aren’t water- and sweat-proof as advertised, you could be eligible for up to $100.
Plantronics BackBeat FIT wireless headphones, version Genesis or 16M, that were manufactured between April 1, 2014 and Oct. 31, 2018 allegedly did not hold up to the advertising claims and fail to hold a charge because of a battery defect. In addition, the lawsuit claims that exposure to water makes the problem worse.
Anyone who purchased headphones covered by the settlement starting Jan. 1, 2018 can claim an extended limited warranty. Those who purchased the headphones between April 1, 2014 and Jan. 1, 2018 can claim a $25 payment with proof of purchase. Those who purchased headphones during that time period and also made a complaint about the product can make a $50 claim (limit of two headphones per claimant).
Each claim requires proof of purchase. For more information click here.
Cancer Medication Price-Fixing
Celgene Corporation has agreed to a $55 million class action settlement regarding allegations the pharmaceutical company conspired to keep less expensive, generic versions of cancer drugs Thalomid and Revlimid off the market.
Class members include individuals, insurance providers, and other health and welfare companies who “paid for all or some of the purchase price of Thalomid or Revlimid in California, the District of Columbia, Florida, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, or Tennessee any time before August 1, 2019.”
For complete details and to submit a claim by the Dec. 30, 2019 deadline, click here.
Leaky Whirlpool Refrigerators
If you own a Whirlpool refrigerator under the brand names Whirlpool, Amana, Jenn-Air or Kitchen-Aid, you could be eligible for a portion of a $21 million lawsuit stemming from complaints that ice could build up and cause water to leak from the bottom of the refrigerators.
A full list of eligible models splits the models into two groups: Group A and Group B. The groups have different eligibility requirements.
Owners may be eligible for up to $150 in compensation, based on the following reimbursement rules:
- 100% reimbursement for parts and labor costs for qualifying repairs paid for in years one to three after purchase;
- 100% reimbursement for parts and 65% reimbursement of labor costs for qualifying repairs paid for in year four after purchase;
- 100% reimbursement for parts and 50% reimbursement of labor costs for qualifying repairs paid for in year five after purchase.
The deadline to submit a claim for a freezing event that occurred prior to Sept. 5, 2019 is Jan. 22, 2020. Those with refrigerator models in Group A have until Dec. 31, 2021 to submit a claim regarding a future freezing event, while those with refrigerator models in Group B have until Dec. 31, 2026 to send in a claim for future freezing events.
For more information, click here.
