Do LinkedIn, Verizon or Rue La La Owe You Money? Here’s How to Find Out
Each year, the courts award millions of dollars in class-action settlements to consumers who purchased products or services that did not work as advertised. This free money is yours for the taking — all you have to do is claim it.
Some of these settlements pay out less than $20. Others can pay $100 or more — like the Apple iPhone/iPod warranty settlement, which provided payments of between $122 and $250 to consumers who said Apple improperly determined their devices had come into contact with water, or the Target data breach settlement, which could net affected individuals up to $10,000.
Did you miss out on the iPhone/iPod class-action settlement? Never fear. Each month, I’ll highlight settlements that are closing soon so you can grab your share of the pie before time runs out. If you’re curious about other suits you could join, check out my list of open class-action settlements.
Are you owed money for purchasing any of these products/services?
1. LinkedIn Password Hack
In 2012, Russian hackers broke into LinkedIn’s servers and stole the passwords of 6.5 million users, later posting the sensitive data on a public website.
Multiple class-action lawsuits accused LinkedIn of being responsible for the breach by using inadequate and outdated security programs that allowed hackers to “easily” crack the password encryptions.
If you paid for a LinkedIn Premium subscription at any time between March 15, 2006 and June 7, 2012, you may be eligible to claim up to $50 in compensation. The claim filing deadline is May 2, 2015. Find more information here.
2. Bosch/Siemens Front-Loading Washing Machines
Several consumers were fed up with foul odors coming from their washing machines, so they decided to sue BSH Home Appliances Corp. for selling defective and deceptively marketed Bosch and Siemens brand front-loading washing machines.
Plaintiffs alleged in the class-action lawsuit that the washing machines did not work as advertised, caused washed clothes to stink and were prone to mold and bacteria growth.
Anyone who purchased a 27” Bosch Nexxt, Bosch Vision or Siemens ultraSense front-loading washing machine for personal use can file a claim by May 29, 2015 to receive a $55 cash payment. Find more information here.
3. Verizon Wireless Family SharePlan
Verizon Wireless has reached a $36.7 million class-action settlement over allegations it improperly billed some of its Family SharePlan customers between May 11, 2002 and May 10, 2006.
Current and former customers who received notice by mail or email of the settlement, and who do not exclude themselves, will automatically receive an equal portion of the settlement fund. (The actual amount of money you can receive cannot be determined until all claims are filed.) In addition, Verizon will provide these Class Members with 600 free minutes for domestic calls.
If you did not receive a notice but believe you are a Class Member, you must submit a claim form no later than April 29, 2015. Find more information here.
4. Alltel Early Termination Fee (ETF)
Arkansas plaintiff Peter Rosenow sued Alltel in 2006, alleging he was improperly charged a $200 early termination fee after he cancelled his Alltel service. His class-action lawsuit claims this fee was excessive and against state law.
Arkansas residents who paid an early termination fee to Alltel from February 15, 2001 through November 10, 2014 can claim $70 per line on which they paid the fee if they file a claim by May 5, 2015. Find more information here.
5. Wacoal iPants
Wacoal America Inc. sells “caffeinated” shapewear undergarments called iPants that are supposed to reduce cellulite and a person’s thigh measurements. Sounds too good to be true, right?
The Federal Trade Commission thinks so. It filed a complaint against the company that says these advertising claims simply aren’t true.
The agency has ordered the company to pay $1.3 million in refunds to consumers who purchased Wacoal iPants after January 2011. The amount of money you can receive will depend on the type and number of iPants products you purchased. The deadline to claim your refund is May 19, 2015. Find more information here.
6. Rue La La Voucher
Members-only shopping website Rue La La has reached a class-action settlement over allegations it sold gift certificates/vouchers on or before May 3, 2013 with deceptive and illegal expiration dates. As many as 7.5 million Rue La La members are estimated to be included in the settlement.
Are you eligible? Find out here, and be sure to submit your claim no later than May 12, 2015 to receive a refund of the purchase price you paid for all eligible Rue La La vouchers.
Your Turn: Have you ever received money from a class-action settlement? What was the product or service, and how much money did you get back?
Anne Bucher is the Managing Editor of TopClassActions.com.
