Class Action Alert: Does Google Owe You a Piece of $22.5 Million?
Some class-action settlements offer a couple of bucks, while others pay out bigtime.
This last month, I heard from consumers who filed for a Marlboro Lights class-action settlement specifically for Arkansas smokers — one of whom received close to $8,000!
Obviously each settlement payout is different. Some take the form of cash, while others offer gift cards and even services like credit or health monitoring.
This month I found a variety of “payouts,” so let’s jump right in!
1. Google AdWords
If you had a Google AdWords account between July 11, 2004, and March 31, 2008, you could benefit from a $22.5 million settlement.
A class-action lawsuit accused Google of not fully informing customers that their advertisements could appear on parked domains or error pages.
AdWords customers claimed they were not aware that their ads would be placed on these low-quality websites. Google denied the allegations but agreed to settle after eight years of litigation.
Class members must have spent at least $1 on a Google AdWords advertisements to benefit from this settlement. The total each consumer receives will vary depending on the amount of money they spent on advertisements placed on these low-quality websites during this time.
To benefit from this Google class-action settlement, you must submit a claim form along with your AdWords Customer ID no later than June 21, 2017.
Find out more here.
2. The Body Shop
If you made a purchase at The Body Shop between Feb. 12, 2011 and March 21, 2017, you could get a $12 gift card from this class-action settlement.
According to a lawsuit, the operator of The Body Shop violated federal law by printing more than the last five digits of a credit or debit card number on customers’ receipts. Specifically, the lawsuit claimed The Body Shop disregarded the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act, which was enacted in part to protect shoppers from identity theft.
If you received a receipt from The Body Shop that displayed more than the last five digits of your card number during this time period, you may benefit from this settlement.
Class members who were notified about this settlement by mail or email don’t need to do anything further to receive a $12 store gift card. Those who are just now finding out about this settlement can still benefit if they submit a claim form and a copy of their The Body Shop receipt by July 12, 2017.
Learn more here.
3. Yapstone Data Breach
If your personal information was exposed through a Yapstone data incident between July 15, 2014, and Aug. 5, 2015, you could get ProtectMyID identity monitoring service from Experian for one year.
The settlement resolves allegations that Yapstone did not fully protect its users from having their personally identifiable information exposed through using unsecured web addresses. Yapstone users could have had their Social Security Numbers, bank account information, passport numbers, driver’s license numbers, names and addresses exposed in the data breach.
Class members who want to benefit from the settlement must file a claim form no later than Oct. 10, 2017.
Find out if you qualify.
4. Vital Nutrients “Made In USA”
If you bought Vital Nutrients supplements between Aug. 1, 2012, and Feb. 27, 2017, because the vitamins were labeled as “Made In USA,” you could get up to $150 from a class-action settlement.
A lawsuit accused Vital Nutrients of falsely representing its products as “Made In USA” when they contain components sourced outside the nation. Consumers who are able to submit a receipt along with their claim form can claim up to $150 from this settlement.
Class members who file a claim form without proof of purchase will receive $6 per product, up to $30. The deadline to benefit from this class-action settlement is Nov. 27, 2017.
More info here.
5. Advance Auto Parts Employee Data Breach
Current and former Advance Auto Parts employees who were victims of a phishing attack that occurred in March 2016 could benefit in several ways from a class action settlement.
According to a lawsuit filed by two Advance Auto Parts workers, the retailer failed to keep the personally identifiable information of its employees safe by exposing it in the cyberattack.
The settlement provides all class members with AllClear Credit Monitoring as well as partial reimbursement for losses up to $1,250.
To benefit from this settlement, current and former employees must file a claim form and provide documentation related to any identity theft claims or tax refund claims no later than June 30, 2017.
Learn more.
Your Turn: What was the biggest payout you ever received from a settlement?
Melissa LaFreniere is the news editor of TopClassActions.com. Her biggest settlement check was for $250.
