“Foreign Currency Fee Litigation Settlement Fund
THIS IS A CHECK. Sign Reverse for Redemption
THE HUNTINGTON NATIONAL BANK”
“Oh, brother,” I said, when my husband handed me the small blue card he’d just taken from our mailbox. A random check for $18.04 from strangers. Sounds like a scam. But it says we were improperly charged foreign transaction fees on our card during the years 2000-2006. We did travel to England in 2003. So, it could be legitimate.
How to find out if it’s any good?
First, I ran the phone number through www.bbb.org. Nothing. So I checked the card to see what court it was coming from. Again, nothing. Printed on the check was the website www.ccfsettlement.com, so I Googled “CCF Settlement” plus “scam” and “fraud.” Some page results say it is a phishing scam. Others insist it’s real. I clicked on Snopes (www.snopes.com), a website I trust, and it says the settlement is legitimate. So does MSN Money.
Digging deeper:
I proceeded to the CCF website. It listed the judge’s name and the name of the court: Honorable William H. Pauley III, U.S. District Court Judge for the Southern District of New York. Next step: Contact the court independently. On www.nysd.uscourts.gov I verified Judge Pauley’s existence. I was about to email the court, or at least search the website for the lawsuit, but then I noticed that there were two phone numbers on the check. The one I had used was actually for a second lawsuit against American Express. We don’t have an AmEx card.
So I ran the first number (800-945-9890) on bbb.org. It came up with “US District Court Administrator in Philadelphia, PA.” and “Currency Conversion Fee, Antitrust Litigation” as well as the card’s website. Very good. Since this file was started by the BBB in 2007, we would have heard by now if it were a scam. Looks like I just earned $18.04. Favorite coffeeshop, here I come!
Having said that, however, do beware of “look-alike” scams who may try to piggyback on the legitimate settlement offers. Always verify the details and you’ll keep yourself safe.
Previously published in the Spokane-Spokesman Review.
Thanks. I read the small print several times, looking for “if you sign, you will be enrolled in our Jelly of the Month Club” or worse. I didn’t see that. Guess I can go cash mine too.
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I thought the same thing. My husband even told me to tear it up because it was a scam. Now a days it’s even hard to go to a website and check because that also could be a scam. I Googled the info and finally came up with this. Guess I will cash mine also. Bonus day today!!!
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Thanks for doing all the hard work! $18.04 to me also!
I doubted this was legit – nice to know it is!
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A big thank you from me too. $18.04 as well. How random!
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Thanks Holly!!! The information is much appreciated. I was going to cash it, but just couldn’t get myself to do it. Too worried about all the crazy scams out there. I’m relieved to know I can cash it without worry. Mine is $18.04 too.
Just received my check today. Thank you for the info. I too worried about being sucked into some scam for $18.04. It would not be worth it. I am going to check a few more sites but I feel that it may be OK to cash the check.
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thanks for doing the detective work on this and taking the time to let people know – much appreciated!
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Thanks for your comments, you guys.
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I received a check and attempted to cash. The bank returned it “unpaid”; “unable to located account.” Was promptly charged $12.00!! So this has actually COST me money. I do recall receiving information about this litigation years ago, so I assumed it was real, rather than a scam. Now I assume they have either run out of money or gave the wrong account no. on purpose so as not to pay out.
Arrrrgh!
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My check was also returned unpaid. Got charged $12.00 also.
called my bank, they will refund me $6.00. Oh boy!
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STILL DONT BELEIVE IT, NEVER PUT IN A CLAIM OR TRAVELED OUT OF THE COUNTRY OR ORDERED ANYTHING FROM ANOTHER COUNTRY SO HOW THE HECK DID THIS CHECK END UP IN MY MAILBOX. DEFINATELY NOT CASHING IT.
Holly,
I did fill out the paperwork for this settlement but never heard anything.
My husband and I (he is now deceased) lived in Costa Rica for 11 years and used our card extensively.
I got the paperwork and sent it in and never heard a word back.
Is there any way you could research if I am entitled to any funds back?
I am a struggling widow now living with her son to make ends meet. Any monies would be geatly appreciated of course.
I appreciate the work you have apparently done on behalf of many people. I give huge thanks to you.
ruthsuddenlysixty@yahoo.com
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Thanks for all the footwork, that’s great. One thing missed is that imformation at the bottom about the 2nd lawsuit. It has to do with the use of certain Credit cards under American Express card exchange in a foreign country. I know I used credit card during a Mexican vacation within that period. I know they stated they didn’t take Amercan Express and took my Visa card using an AE machine. That’s the 2nd settlement that will be distributed. It will be a wait and see…. Good luck to all of you!
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I was thinking the same…scam. I feel relieved it isn’t. Thanks for sharing Holly. Keep up the good work!
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Holly – THANKS for this excellent “detective” work. I was about to through this check but thought I’ll google it. I found the BBB link through Google. Now, I can go and cash my check (without a hidden enrollment for a magazine etc
).
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Hi all, thanks for your opinions and comments. Melba is right–the second lawsuit is just against American Express and it is my understanding that it has yet to be settled. The first one excluded AmEx.
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Somehow I posted a duplicate blog after the first one looked like it didn’t post. Sorry, guys! Here are the comments from the second try at posting. The original title was Check Out the Check from the CCF Settlement Fund which I changed to CCF Settlement Checks Are Legit, as you see above. The text is the same.
Dave
Posted December 1, 2011 at 7:08 PM
What are the odds that I got a check for the SAME EXACT AMOUNT!!! This has got to be a scam. They want you to cash the check so they can get your checking/savings account number. Please don’t let people read your blog and think this is safe.
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Reply Tom
Posted December 1, 2011 at 9:00 PM
What are the odds that I too got a check for the SAME EXACT AMOUNT… which makes sense, as it is a class action settlement. All parties involved split the total settlement, each getting an equal share.
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Reply Debbie Montz
Posted December 1, 2011 at 9:55 PM
Looks “phishy” – I also got check for the same amount. On the back doesn’t even look like it is a regular check – just has return service requested with same name and address. Seems like they are trying to get bank and bank account number. I haven’t been out of the country either nor had I sent back any paperwork to be part of class action suit for American express. Pass for now.
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Reply Suzanne Strathman
Posted December 1, 2011 at 11:40 PM
I still do not understand…I never left the country during the dates referred to in the above explanation. I was in Haiti in Feb 2010 and December 2010. Sure this is legit???
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Reply Phil Reinemann
Posted December 4, 2011 at 3:43 PM
I did not leave the country recently either, not since the 90′s, however I have purchase things on the internet from businesses in Canada – prescriptions and computer parts. Citibank charged me a foreign transaction fee. (Now I use PayPal which takes it directly out of the bank and I no longer have transaction fees.)
As another person said, it’s the same amount for everyone as it’s one lump sum divided by all the parties.
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Reply Emanuel Ban
Posted December 2, 2011 at 2:37 AM
I also got the exact amount of $18.04, and I **never** left the U.S. borders… I wonder if this includes online purchases airmailed from abroad?
Hmm….
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Reply Alien Nation Refugee
Posted December 2, 2011 at 10:46 AM
I got $3,153.10! Yahoo!
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Reply Alfredo
Posted December 2, 2011 at 10:57 AM
I received one also for $18.04 yesterday but I dont like the fact that the back of the check where your supposed to endorse is the Return address of the letter…I want to cash but worried they just want to get my account number when I cash it…Dont want that now
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Reply Alfredo
Posted December 2, 2011 at 11:08 AM
Just found this on Reuters…so Im starting to beleive this is real…Heres the story..
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/11/10/uk-usa-creditcards-settlement-idUSLNE7A904I20111110
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Reply Tom
Posted December 2, 2011 at 8:42 PM
Maybe that is part of the plan- a legitimate check, made to look ‘phishy’ so people dont cash it. The fewer checks redeemed, the less they have to pay out, the more they keep…
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Reply Holly Doering
Posted December 3, 2011 at 1:30 PM
Hi everyone, thanks for your opinions. Somehow this blog got posted twice…sorry about that. If anyone logs back on would you please let me know how you got to this one and not the one on the front page?
Ok, the settlement. My husband remembers that a long time ago, that he remembers having to fill out some paperwork. It was maybe two years ago. They sent us a record of our transactions and asked us how much we had spent in England.
Alfredo, the only way I know of for someone to get ahold of your bank routing numbers is for you to write them a check. I don’t think they can get them just from you depositing a check into your bank. However, if you are concerned about it you could ask your bank manager.
Alien Nation, yours doesn’t sound legitimate for this settlement due to the amount. It is my understanding that all the checks are in the same amount: $18.04. It was supposed to be $25 something but got reduced because of the amount of people in the settlement.
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Reply Sam
Posted December 5, 2011 at 10:14 AM
Holly -
The bank routing numbers are public information so anyone can find the routing numbers for ANY bank that ever existed in the U.S. on FDIC’s website. Your checking/savings account is not a matter of public information so people can only find out those acct numbers if you list them on the back of the check you’re depositing. Some Banks such as Bank of American don’t even require listing your checking acct number on the back of the check for the security reason.
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Reply Holly Doering
Posted December 3, 2011 at 1:34 PM
Hi Dave, Debbie, Emmanuel and Tom: I don’t know if it applied to online purchases. There is information available at the following website, which is a link to the official court document about the settlement:
http://www.ccfsettlement.com/documents/Preliminary%20Approval%20Order%2011-18-2011.pdf
Dave, why are you so positive that it isn’t real? All the evidence I’ve seen points to the fact that it is. My husband and I cashed our check almost four weeks ago and that was the end of it. I’ve spoken to others in the BBB system who have said they did too.
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Reply Michelle
Posted December 3, 2011 at 2:24 PM
I thought this was a scam too. However, after reading Holly’s comment about her husband filling out paperwork, I looked through my records. In December 2007, I went on-line and completed the form to receive the $25.00 “easy refund” from the settlement and given a claim number. The $18.04 check references the claim number I was given. And according to Reuters the settlement was reduced from $25 to “about $18″ so I’m $18.04 richer!
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Reply Barry
Posted December 3, 2011 at 3:32 PM
I’ve looked this up online, and it does appear legitimate. Everyone who was part of the lawsuit is getting $18.04, regardless of how many charges you made. The identical amounts of the checks is not proof this is a scam.
It’s also difficult to know how depositing this check would expose you or your accounts to fraud or theft. The Federal Reserve has systems in place to prevent just such kinds of fraud. Think about it: if such systems were not in place, then every check anyone had ever deposited would be a potential avenue into everyones’ accounts and our banking system would collapse. It is a check, not malware or spyware that will be hide in your savings account.
I know that some unsolicited checks are scams because on the back, it says that by signing and depositing the check, you are authorizing the issuer to enroll you in their club or service, which ends up costing more than the value of the check. There is nothing on this check that says that, and again, looking online at numerous sources, I believe this is legitimate.
If you’re _really_ worried, then just cash the check at a currency exchange, pay their fee, and your bank accounts won’t be touched, at all.
Emanuel, if you received a check and are not part of the class, since you say you didn’t use your credit card overseas, then simply shred the check.
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Reply Tom
Posted December 3, 2011 at 11:22 PM
Thank you, Holly, and others, for checking this out so thoroughly.
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Reply PatseChicago
Posted December 4, 2011 at 12:24 PM
With so many scams and unscrupulous people out there it’s hard to believe anything these days.
That’s why I was so suspicous after receiving the same thing ($18.04) when I did not purchse or travel outside the US during the same period listed on the settlement Oh wait, there was travel to CANADA and MEXICO!
Taking advice from the BBB is like asking someone on the street corner if they have change for a hundred and they give you three twenties… the BBB lists anyone or any company as A+ as long as they pay for the BBB association fee – it’s how they make their $$!!
I like the suggestion of cashing at a currency exchange and by-passing my personal bank altogether and STRONGLY recommend this to everyone. Then the only thing the Huntington National Bank (issuer of the checks) has is your name and address – and anything further mailed to you about ‘signing up for services’, etc., can be ignored.
Of course, there’s always the chance that later you will be getting collection notices from some book club, or some other nonsense, that you never signed up for in the mail – these seem to be proliferating the USPS lately as well.
Best advice – ALWAYS be suspicious! Take a step back – think about and research everything before putting your name to it.
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Reply William Hawkes
Posted December 4, 2011 at 1:11 PM
Okay, I’ve got my little check for 18.04. But what about that line of fine print about a second lawsuit that includes, “exclude yourself… Otherwise, you will be bound by any judgment or settlement in this case.” I wonder if cashing this little check automatically involves me in some bigger bite in the butt down the road?
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Reply Holly Doering
Posted December 5, 2011 at 11:59 AM
Hi everyone, thanks for your opinions.
William–it is my understanding that the second lawsuit is against American Express, which was not included in the first lawsuit. The line about excluding yourself is letting you know that you can’t participate in the class action lawsuit against AmEx and sue them yourself also.
Sam–thank you very much for the terminology clarification. I appreciate it.
Patse–there are few agencies or avenues these days that try to protect the consumer. The BBB isn’t perfect, but we’re here. The reason our services are free to you is because our member businesses believe in what we do. And no, not just anyone can join the BBB or receive an A+ rating.
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well my check is for $22.70 and i too am suspicious of what is to come. Endorse where is exactly right? its all my personal information my check number is 451178 so by assumption at 18.04 that is $8,139,251.12 or at 22.70 it is $10,241,740.60 i think ill hold onto it for a while and get back on here and check it out! the humiliation at my bank alone is not worth 22.70 when they ask me if i am that gullible :0) i notices no one has blogged about actually cashing the check and the experience at the bank???????
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I just got my postcard check in the mail today and, just like everyone else, nearly tore it up. However, I had a little time on my hands between projects so I read the information on the website the “check” provided, did some yahoo searching and found this blog. I agree with the common consensus: It looks like a scam but every time I check up on it, things appear to be legit. Thanks for all the helpful double-checking, I’m signing my name to it and buying nearly five gallons of gasoline with my $18.04. Woo-Hoo!
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Like most, I was quite skeptical. After reading this blog, I called Huntington Bank at 1-800-480-BANK (2265) and verified the checks are legitimate. WOW…I get 1/8th tank of gas for my truck!!
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Thanks for the research, Ms. Doering. I remember receiving something in the mail about this eons ago and had forgotten about it. I didn’t travel overseas at all; but I bought some CDs from Australia or the UK and was socked with a foreign currency fee.
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Thanks all for your comments – I am depositing mine too.
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My husband received a postcard check for $18.04, but we have no memory of filling out a claim. Therefore, I’m suspicious. We did travel overseas during those years and used Visa.
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Thanks for the research. I will pose the question: We are all victims of this litigation and get our $18.04 “settlement” (Wow!). I bet the lawyers defending our case make a little more than that (like $ six digits) ? Not complaining, after all I got a “free” check!
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Actually, Marco, try SEVEN figures. (HIGH seven figures, at that!)
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Hi everyone, thanks for your comments.
Marco: I learned everything I know about class action lawsuits by reading John Grisham’s novel The King of Torts. Really interesting. Of course it’s fiction…but I’m sure he researches heavily.
Sandy, if you’re not sure you can contact the court to verify that you should be getting one. I didn’t remember filling out the paperwork either but my husband did. Make absolutely sure that all your check’s details match the ones described about the legitimate check.
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Yes I too received this check of $18.04…went to a bank to attempt to cash it…those people looked at me as if I came to rob their Azzes* of a measely $18 …therefore which caused me to be embarrassed and humiliated..can someone tell me where is a legitimate place to cash this lil’ card-board check?
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I also received a check. For $55. After reading the Reuters article it states that a majority of the people will be getting $18 (down from $25) but others could receive more depending on what they spent. Since we travel a lot outside of the country it does not surprise me that we did get more. I do remember filling out paperwork quite a while ago and of course completely forgot about it. Just glad I kept track of those annoying “Foreign Exchange Fee” charges. Hope everyone enjoys the extra $$$. (Put mine in savings for our next out of country trip in January.)
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Thanks again. Check for 18.04 just showed up today and I too Googled and up popped your story on BBB site. Just in time: I really *need* this.
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I too got the check – The back of the check is an address with return service requested, so it looks very fake. The routing and bank numbers 044000024 are legit.
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I too recieved this litlle check of $18.04 and was/am heck of suspicious. I googled this and have the info to contact Hungtington Bank directly 1-800-480-2265. I will be doing that tomorrow before I head over to my bank (just in case). I do however believe that for once this is legit. I clearly recall traveling abroad and getting dinged with the foreign currency fee. I also remember filling out some paper work about it. Anyway thanks Holly and all others for your research on this issue it is much appreciated.
Remember that the fewer people that cash these little checks make more for the banks and lawyers to keep. Ahhh….let’s stick it to the man!!!
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Hey, just in case any one was interested in what the claim was: ” Plaintiffs raise two federal antitrust claims: (1) that Defendants American Express Company, American Express Travel Related Services and American Express Centurion Bank (collectively “American Express”) conspired with several of the Bank Defendants to impose foreign currency conversion fees on the holders of Visa and MasterCard branded general purpose cards; and (2) that American Express conspired with the Bank of America Defendants to include mandatory arbitration clauses in their cardholder agreements. ”
So basically, it was for fees charged on your Visa or Mastercard with Discover, BoA, and Chase, as far as I can tell (check my work – I don’t know how accurate this is).
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I remember filling out a form a while ago. My check is for 200 bucks! I did travel a lot, in the past (wish I still had the time/money…), and use my card a lot while traveling — and I do remember at some point the fees seemed to jump unreasonably. Anyway, good to know the check is legit.
I’ll bet that thousands of folks tear up/lose/shred their checks, though. Wonder what happens to that unclaimed money? Lawyers? Back to the credit card companies? Will they re-distribute it to the rest of the class? If that is too cumbersome, it would be nice if unclaimed funds went to some kind of 501(c)(3) that helps consumers with credit problems. Lawyers have gotten plenty, and there is no reason the card companies should get a windfall! On my way to the bank now…
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Hey Ben: I’m not sure about the $200 amount–please verify that your details are identical to the $18.04 checks before cashing, ok? Sounds like you did a lot of travelling. I know we only went to the one country.
That’s a good question on the unclaimed money. Anybody have an answer?
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Maybe check out the Reuters article that Randi refers to. Thanks everyone, for responding.
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I’m not depositing mine. I never travel out of this country.
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No worries. Check out the article on reuters.com, listed above…
“He points out that some credit card issuers will charge the fee if a purchase is processed by a foreign bank, even if the buyer is in the U.S. If you are travelling or buying from someone outside the U.S., Hardekopf says you ought to check your card’s terms to know what fees you could face. Consider that $5,000 in charges could lead to $150 in fees.”
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Shirley, sign it over to me ,I’ll gladly cash it !
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I looked into my old records and found the original information I received from the US District Court Settlement Administrator and the internet receipt I printed out. All the information on the original Refund Options match what’s on my check including claim number & return address. I’m cashing my check tomorrow.
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I too received my check for $18.04 today and like everyone else here, I was suspicious. After reading this blog I checked all my paperwork of past claims and found out this is legit. My claim number on my paperwork is the same as the claim number on the check so I will be cashing it at my earliest convenience!
Thank you Holly for all your posts and hard work.
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I just went and cashed mine. Thanks for all the comments I was not sure on what to do with it. I cashed it and bought me lunch.
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I like Ben have a larger check than most ($167.02)…I was in the military between 2000-2006 and was deployed a lot during these years so it would make sense that I have more than most. A lot of the information that has already been posted matches what i have received in my letter. I will still wait to see if there are more people that have a larger amount than the $18.04 before I actually cash mines in. Thank you Ms. Holly for doing the research that you did!
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like Ben and Remo, i have received a check for $89.05… this check is regular business check size and not the the smaller post-card size… same routing number but different acct number (1892811742)… could someone confirm that they have received a check of the the same size and account no.
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I too got this little check today, however, about 2 weeks ago I got one for $191 for my mother that lived in the Bahamas for a few years.cashed it and will be cashing mine too.
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My husband called me out of state and told me I had a check in the amount of $1804.00 (he was joking) and I was yelling DO NOT DEPOSIT sounds like a scam. I research out of town and called him back laughing saying please deposit my check for $18 so I can get me some lunch! Thanks guys for all of the research.
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***THIS IS NOT A SCAM*** It’s a real check. If you made a credit card purchase that was outside the U.S. during the years stated, you were automatically part of the settlement as you will be with the pending AMEX settlement. See link below for more info on about.com
http://credit.about.com/b/2011/12/02/ccfsettlement-is-not-a-scam.htm
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I was very suspicious about this check. It caught me off guard because of the back that we are supposed to sign. I’m glad I came across this article/blog. Thanks Holly for all the work. And thank you everyone else for posting your comments. . .i know now that I am not the only one who was skeptical.
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Thank you to everyone who researched into this and commented before me. I just got my check for $18.04 today, and will deposit it with confidence. This will fill my motorcycle gas tank twice plus enough leftover for a small lunch.
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Hi everyone, thank you so much for your comments and experiences.
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Love the surprise to have lunch. Actually in some Florida restaurants I can easily get 2 lunches for $18.04. I appreciate your efforts on the research.
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Hey got the check today, same story, almost tore it up… I’m in Illinois. Thanks for the info
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My mother also received a check for $18.04 that made me suspicious. Yes, she traveled out of the country but she does not have a credit card. Is this check still okay for her to deposit or cash? Holly and everyone else who’s investigating this — thanks!!!
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Hi Jen: You and your mom may want to read up about the settlement on http://www.ccfsettlement.com or try calling 1-800-945-9890 and asking the settlement administrator. Does your mom remember filing any paperwork, maybe a few years ago?
Someone else was asking if it was ok if the check looked funny. I cashed mine so I don’t have it anymore but it looked like a business check, not a personal check…blue and kind of stippled, and more square than rectangualr. Kind of like how your Netflixs come attached to the envelope, and the check is kind of part of the envelope.
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still afraid to put it in my checking account , my account information will be vonerable once it goes into my account, and go back with information, what do you think?
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*rectangular*
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Hello All, Just cashed my check for $18.04 at my neighborhood BofA. Thank you for sharing your experiences!
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Attempted to deposit the check today and the teller informed me it was a scam. My Chase branch had 12 customers deposit these checks in the last two weeks and all 12 were returned. A small windfall will cost you a returned check fee and a debit for the original $18.04.
I just called the 800 number of the Huntington Bank in Columbus, Ohio. The person I spoke to said the check was legitimate and that I should deposit it. Now that I see the post of OCJEN 11 I am not quite sure. I will be going to my bank and talk to an officer and give the the numbers that I have and then let them confirm the legitimacy of the check or not. Also I will ask them that I will not be penalized if the check returns.
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I received my $18.04 check and was concerned. I recall getting an invitation to be involved in this law suit a few years ago. Now here is the check. Of course the attorneys got most of the money. I think that I will top off my gas tank with this refund
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Thank you for all of your “detective” work! I received the check for $18.04 today and as everyone else has said, I thought it was a scam. I would have ripped it up if I had not read all the informaion you posted. I thank you very much because although $18.04 is not a fortune, everything in life is relative. To me (especially at this time of the year), $18.04 is almost a fortune
It will allow me to buy another Christmas gift for one of my 9 Grandchildren 
I vaguely recall filling out some paperwork a very long time ago. I was still living in New York at the time, so I was surprised that the check was sent to my (fairly new) address here in North Carolina. Also, I did not travel out of the country during the required time frame, but I did do overseas online shopping. Thank you again and Happy Holidays!
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Thanks for doing the research Holly. I was a little concered that your blog might have been faked though because this website has not been verified. Also if you search for this article in the regular bbb.org website it doesn’t show up. However you can directly accessing it through the bbb.org blog website so I guess it’s real. You just can’t be to careful these days.
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Half the entries are for. Half against. It’s enough to make a person want to pull her hair out. I cashed my check this morning not thinking twice about it until that fine print notice got me worrying. But when I called my bank, the teller did her own research on the check and said it was legit. I feel better now. And my account # isn’t on the check, so no worries there.
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I have never traveled outside of the country and do not remember filling out any paperwork yet I received an $18.04 check…the only foreign transactions I can think of is purchasing something off EBAY from out of the country …everyone else seems to have traveled and filled out paperwork..soooooo, I am not sure why I received a check..still a little skeptical and haven’t cashed it yet…any thoughts?? thanks
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Holly’s work is spot-on! It is legit.
However, if you’re still a “Doubting Thomas” like myself, CONTACT YOUR CREDIT CARD COMPANY through a secure phone number, such as the one on the back of the card. THE CREDIT CARD COMPANIES’ CUSTOMER SERVICE GROUPS are aware of the settlement.
After they verify that you are the actual card holder, they will verify if you are in the eligible group.
Bank Of America, CitiBank and MBNA were among the largest culprits.
http://credit.about.com/od/privacyconcerns/p/ccfsettlement.htm
In 2006, a $336 million settlement was agreed to by several major banks including Bank of America, Citibank, and MBNA.
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Hi everyone, thanks for your comments.
Nathan: You can always check with the organization that the person claims they wrote the blog for. In my case you could call or email the BBB Serving Eastern Washington, North Idaho, and Montana to make sure I really do work there and wrote this blog.
Beth: I hear you. It is confusing. You have to decide which sources to trust. David’s idea to contact your CC company is a good one, and of course your bank.
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Holly I posted this but thought I would add as a reply to you as well… sorry for the duplicate.
I have had my $18.04 check for about two weeks now hesitating to cash it because of many of the reasons mentioned here. (never traveled out of the US mainly) In an effort to validate or refute I came across this blog and I’m glad I did. Someone here mentioned that they probably had the paperwork in a file somewhere and that made me go and look in my credit card file and I found the original packet of paperwork that was sent to me in 2007. I never filled any of it out but kept it anyway I guess.
In the “Notice” in the last paragraph it talks about making a foreign “transaction” with a Visa, MC, etc between 1996 and 2006. If you did then you are a “member of the SETTLEMENT DAMAGES CLASS” It then says” If you HAD a Visa, MC etc during that same time period, you are a member of the SETTLEMENT INJUNCTIVE CLASS, and will benefit from the settlement even if YOU DID NOT use your card to make a foreign transaction”.
So, simply having one of those credit card accounts active during that time frame makes you eligible for the money.. Hope this helps!
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I remember filling out the paperwork for this back in 2007 ( I probably still have the packet in a file). There were three classes of filers, if I recall correctly. The first class had to provide documentation for claims on foreign transaction charges that they paid in excess of a certain dollar amount. The second class was the same except it was for documentation of a lesser dollar amount. The third class was for if you either didn’t have any foreign transaction fees to claim (you were still eligible for part of the settlement) or didn’t want to submit documentation and you just received the flat amount. I got my check earlier this week!
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I received same package in 2007 but moved Florida to new york since.
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I too called Huntington Bank (1-800-480-2265)…the check is legit. The representative said they have had a huge volume of calls with this inquiry. She could tell me exactly what the check looked like and the amount it was likely to have on it. If you are reading this wondering like I was…you can be at peace.
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This is legit! I called the bank to verify the check, and they gave me there check verification# (1-800-752-4316) Just enter the account number on the check and the amount. Hope this puts some peoples mind at ease.
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Thank you very much for posting this!
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This is a valid check. You probably completed a form in late 2007, as I mailed in a 1-page form in December 2007. But according to the 2007 completed form, I was suppose to receive a “Easy Refund” of $25. I also informed them of a name change on the 2007 submitted form, but apparently they did not make any corrections, although the form asking for any corrections. … because the check I just received in payable under the my old name. Hope I can still cash it.
This is a valid check. You probably completed a form in late 2007, as I mailed in a 1-page form in December 2007. But according to the 2007 completed form, I was suppose to receive a “Easy Refund” of $25. I also informed them of a name change on the 2007 submitted form, but apparently they did not make any corrections, although the form asking for any corrections. … because the check I just received is payable under my old name. Hope I can still cash it.
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Was sure this was a scam of some sort. I followed David H. advice (above) and called Huntington Bank – with the number he gave, and after entering incorrect account number (s), I was transferred to an actual person. The nice gentleman confirmed that the check was ligit, and told me the disbursement was assigned to their bank. I told him I hoped that the bank got more business because of this apparent “scam”. I asked him where to sign it, as there is no Signature line. He told me to just sign it anywhere near an edge.
As soon as I told him the settlement name it was apparent he was familiar with the flood of calls and immediately asked if the check was for $18.04. Thats when I knew it was for real.
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I just spoke with someone at Huntington National Bank (the bank that dispersed these checks) and they confirmed it is a real check. Here is what she said.
Huntington’s National Settlement team has been selected to disburse the settlement in the Foreign Currency Conversion Fee Antitrust Litigation. This is a valid check. If you have questions or concerns about the check, please write those to the following address:
Settlement Administrator
P.O. Box 290
Philadelphia, PA 19105-0290
So I am cashing mine.
Kristy
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Just got off the phone with Huntington Bank here in Columbus, OH and they verified it is an actual check. They asked me if it was in the amount $18.04, so that solidified the answer. Going to get lunch with my wife! Never replied to a blog before… Kinda cool. Thanks to Holly for being so diligent.
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Thank you. WE got 2 checks for $18.04 and was real “iffy” about it. Didn’t trust it…was about to them in the trash…when I decided to google and see if I could find any info on it being a scam….and came across this. Thank you for your time and effort!!
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Thank you for investigating. I did a little digging myself and still wasn’t sure. I was about to call the bank myself, but now don’t have to.
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I’m adding my thanks to you, Holly, for researching whether the settlement was a scam and then reporting on your findings. I, too, was extremely skeptical as to the check’s legitimacy. But, after reading your blog, plus the comments of other readers…I, too, will cash my check! What a wonderful way to start the New Year… something totally unexpected and totally nice!
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I actually filled out paper work 5 years ago for this lawsuit. Didn’t anyone else?? Or did you get your settlement without filling out the paperwork
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I got my check on November 15 and for a minute I thought of shredding it.
I do remember getting the request to fill out the paperwork for the class action suit but not responding to it. But I got the check anyway and now I’m cashing it after reading all your comments about the whole thing. I appreciate the work you (Holly) did in investigating the validity of the check.
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I have had my $18.04 check for about two weeks now hesitating to cash it because of many of the reasons mentioned here. (never traveled out of the US mainly) In an effort to validate or refute I came across this blog and I’m glad I did. Someone here mentioned that they probably had the paperwork in a file somewhere and that made me go and look in my credit card file and I found the original packet of paperwork that was sent to me in 2007. I never filled any of it out but kept it anyway I guess.
In the “Notice” in the last paragraph it talks about making a foreign “transaction” with a Visa, MC, etc between 1996 and 2006. If you did then you are a “member of the SETTLEMENT DAMAGES CLASS” It then says” If you HAD a Visa, MC etc during that same time period, you are a member of the SETTLEMENT INJUNCTIVE CLASS, and will benefit from the settlement even if YOU DID NOT use your card to make a foreign transaction”.
So, simply having one of those credit card accounts active during that time frame makes you eligible for the money.. Hope this helps!
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Thanks to Holly for the effort. I will cash my check. I don’t remember if i ever filled out any paper work for this.
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yes i did buy something from England in 2005, yes i used my visa card for it, yes i filled out a settlement form about 3 years ago, yes i had forgotten about it, no i haven’t cashed the check yet, yes i thought it was a scam, yes i’ve read all comments on this page, yes i will go and cash the check now.
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Hi…just recieved not only one check for 18.04 but two checks each for 18.04. one lists my last name with the apostrophe and the othe doesnt. that seems fishy to me…i was out of the country in 06. I don’t remember filling out any paperwork..but my memory isn’t the greatest! any opinions on getting two checks?? thanks!!
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Thanks for the detailed info because I was not sure about the validity of the check but, as pointed out above, nothing was requested from my side apart of the information about my outside US dates of travel. So, a good bonus!! thanks for such a great info.
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Thanks for the detective work Holly. I remember filing paperwork and as most US citizens, was skeptical as to thel legitimacy of the check. The supporting documentation along with our local news cast confirms its authenticity….
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Hi everyone: You’re welcome, and thank you for all your additional information. Eileen, I wonder if the two checks you got might be a computer error and you were only supposed to get one? I would call the Settlement Administrator.
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Thank You Holly!!!
I got my check today and did do what everyone else did.!!!
Thought for sure “too good to be true” in this Techie Age.
As it happens last week I had to contact BBB on another issue and was
completely overwhelmed at the way they handled my problem..
What amazing “Customer Service” I am very impressed!!
My contact there was a woman named Joan Stanley, and as soon as I recieve my check from the company I complained about, I will be sending many “Kudo’s”
to the BBB about her and you as well…
Now ,???? hmmm, what can I do with $18.04
a couple of gallons of gas, sound like a good idea!!!!!
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I had also recieved a check for the $18.04 a few weeks ago. I was unsure whether or not it was real or a scam. I went to cash it at one point, but my bank pointed out that it wasn’t even in my name. The pay to the order of says some info future resource, but it is my address under it. I have no clue as to what that means. I do remember filing out a form a few yrs back. The name thing is what throws it off. My bank told me to double check before cashing. I am happy to see these blogs, so I know it isn’t a scam. Did any one else have the pay to the order of different than their name?
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I got my check today and before I even got out “this looks funny”, my husband told me to throw it away. I really appreciate this article to verify that it’s legit!!!! Sad that we’re aware of so many marketing schemes that work from cashing a legit-LOOKING check, but nice to know the BBB is looking out for us. Thank you for reporting on this.
And since hubby told me to throw it away, I guess it makes it all mine….thinking a solo matinee’
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Here is a link to a Jan 6, 2012 ABC News article about the checks being legit:
http://abcnews.go.com/Business/10-million-credit-card-holders-receive-settlement-checks/story?id=15304436#.TwmRkCNWpXR
and a link to another article at USAToday on 12-31-11
http://travel.usatoday.com/news/story/2011-12-30/International-travelers-A-check-may-be-in-the-mail/52291826/1
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Thanks for all your research. Got mine last week. Seemed legit, I appreciate your confirmation!
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Wow – guess I’m the only one who truly received a \scam\ check. I received a check and attempted to cash. The bank returned it “unpaid”; “unable to locate account.” Was promptly charged $12.00. I do recall receiving information about this litigation years ago, and the check info. matches all that everyone else has entered here. Now I assume they have either run out of money or gave the wrong account no. on purpose so as not to pay out. Beware of attempting to cash; it will cost you more than the $18.04!
Arrrrgh!
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just received two checks today which look like a postcard. $18.04 each, one for myself and the other addressed to my husband. … I am not sure if I should cash them … what if the check is bounced, and I am charged with a penalty…
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My Dad received his check for $18.04 as well but he thought it too was a scam and shredded it! Now he finds out it was legit, what does he do now?????
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I read it several times before I took it to the bank with the intention of depositing it. The drive thru was empty, but it still took A LONG time for the tube to come back to me. And in it cash, because I forgot the deposit slip and only wrote my acct number on the back, without “For Deposit Only”…so much for depositing it.
Then today at work everyone is saying it is a scam to get your routing and account numbers. So I called the bank. The Head Teller said there was no information on the endorsement that they could use to access my account, but if I was concerned I should periodically check my account.
So then I did some quick internet searching. In addition to this post I found one from the Lafayfette BBB: http://lafayette.bbb.org/article/this-check-is-not-a-scam-31162.
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Mine is for $103.33, but I have been overseas using my Amex.
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Hi everybody, thanks for postiong:
Irvin, you could contact the Settlement Administrator to ask them to issue another one to your dad.
Jessica and Anne, I would contact your banks. In Anne’s case, I’d ask to speak to a manager to see if they made a mistake. Or, if it’s a scam, it would be great to know the details of how it is a take-off on the legitimate details.
Cathy, you could contact the Settlement Administrator. My husband’s check was in his name. Yours not being in your name could be a look-alike scam, or it could be a genuine error on the part of the people sending out the checks (or computer more like)…or something.
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In the postcard, there’s a weblink (ccfsettlement.com) to a document, “Information Concerning: Ross, et al. v. Bank of America, N.A., (USA), et al., No. 05-cv-7116, MDL No. 1409 (S.D.N.Y.) – Proposed Settlement with National Arbitration Forum, Inc. (“NAF”)”.
In the second paragraph, it states:
– This lawsuit involves claims that the settling defendants Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, HSBC and NAF and the non-settling defendants Citibank and Discover violated federal law by conspiring, with each other and certain non-defendants, to require that their cardholders (a) take all legal disputes to arbitration rather than court and (b) give up any right to participate in class actions against the above six credit card companies. This case is on behalf of cardholders who are subject to arbitration clauses. Cardholders who are not subject to arbitration clauses, including any Discover cardholders who have opted out of arbitration, are not included in the case. –
Any legal experts out there that can tell us the ramifications of a & b above? So, just by receiving this check (not even cashing it), we lose these rights for any future actions against these banks?
Thank you for the clarification.
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Holly, THANK YOU SO MUCH! I so appreciate all the hard and time consuming work you did to confirm if this check was a scam or not. It is only because of you that I will be cashing this check, which will help me towards food for my family. Take care!
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Not for anything, but the author’s ‘investigative research’ leave a lot to be desired. So you just googled the phone number and relied on ‘Snopes’, both open sources of information? I guess it would have been just too much to actually call the court to ensure that it wasn’t a scam, simply relying on the internet to belay your concerns? Tsk. Tsk. You wouldn’t make a good detective if your investigation began and ended with here say evidence!
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If anyone who has already cashed their checks is reading this, has there been any repercussions?? I haven’t cashed my yet…still wondering thanks
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I have not received a check yet and I have not moved since filling out the forms. Anyone else still waiting for your check?
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I have not received my check yet- anyone else still waiting? I have not moved since filling out the claim forms so I assume the delay is volume related.
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Thanks for researching…I was just about to do all that. Stinks that you cannot even trust an $18.04 check these days! Yahoo, a a few gallons of gas for me!
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I received check and says to endorse back. However, the back does not have endorsement-it has return service requested?
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This has been helpful. I also received a check for $18.04 from The Huntington National Bank dated 12/23/11.
Here’s what I did. Routing numbers are public information. I checked the routing number on my check (easy to do online) and it did check out as being from Huntington National Bank in Columbus, OH. I then took the mailing address from the routing number website and, when I went to the Huntington National Bank website, they both checked out as being Huntington National Bank, 7 Easton Oval, Columbus OH. I got the 800 number from the Huntington National Bank website. I called and spoke to a banker and explained the check I had received. He knew the amount was $18.04 and said that yes, it is a legitimate check from his bank.
I’m going to deposit it right now.
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First, thanks to Holly for all the effort and also to everyone who shared their experience and opinions. Actually I received the check of $18.04 in November 2011 and was suspicious of it. I did fill out a form participating this action and I did use my CC for some online transactions with European dollars (not physically outside of the USA) in 2003-2004. After I read through all these replies, finally I decided to cash the check on 1/13/2011. When I asked if this was legitimate, the banker said he had seen a check like this earlier and then gave me the cash. I checked my account just now, I don’t see any penalty for that. So I think there is no problem for cashing it. Thanks again to everyone!
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I contacted the Huntington National Bank which advised the checks that I received last week are legit. On Friday (1/13), I deposited the first check of $18.04 and am waiting to find out I am sure it will be sometime this week if the check is good or not. If the first check went through, l will then deposit the 2nd check- $18.04 issued to my husband.
That being said, if you don’t see me post another comment w/in a week, I got my money. Wish me luck.
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My husband got his check for $18.04 two weeks ago but i have not.
Several years ago I filled out paperwork for both of us. His was the quick form but I had traveled extensively overseas so I had to document much more than he.
I have not received my check yet. Who do I contact? I just feel that the postcard was lost in the mail or something.
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Same story here. I tried the check verification phone number posted by David H
on December 23, 2011 at 2:45 PM: 1-800-752-4316. I entered the very long account number, then the amount of the check followed by the pound sign (for example: 180400). The automated recording stated that there were sufficient funds in the account to handle that amount.
I decided to have some fun and enter in various quantities to see if there was some upper limit, plus I just got a kick out of hearing the irritated tone of the automated recording. $300,000.00 – OK. $10,000,000.00 – Nope. $5,000,000.00 – OK. $8,500,000.00 – OK. $9,500,000.00 – OK. $9,999,999.99 – Nope.
So, apparently, there are currently sufficient funds in the identically listed bank account of our two checks to handle upwards of somewhere between $9.5M and $9.9M. Others posted that there were different account numbers for non-$18.04 checks (higher amount checks). Perhaps our account is just for the “$18.04 check” recipients’ account. If so, that would mean there are more than 0.5M checks out there in the amount of $18.04 waiting to be deposited.
We’ll check with our bank tomorrow to be certain.
Thanks for posting results! If anyone has had any negative reports, please post.
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I noticed a handful of people that received above the $18 norm…..All of these people mentioned they had been out of the country or a longer period of time, makes sense.
MY QUESTION IS……….those of you that received $55, $125, $323, etc………DO
YOU RECALL WHAT OPTION (of the app form) YOU WENT WITH? iow, COULD YOU
CALCULATE A ROUGH ESTIMATE/FORMULA FOR YOUR COMPENSATION (or
lack there of) ? Did you go with option #2 which was a quick and easy fill out how
many days you were abroad??? OR………did you opt for the long and painful #3
option which entailed providing all cc used, time periods, spending, and calculating
trans fee %’s, and so on……. All I know is option #1 ($25 fast settlement), and Option
#2 claims of people with less than 6 mos abroad. They all received $18! In short, has anyone using option #2 (claiming days only) received more than $18? And of so, how many days did you claim?
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yes the check is real I called the bank and they said to cash it
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Hi Everyone,
I just received my check today. I was very sceptical as I didn’t even know what it was for. Then I looked up the website and I do have a Bank of America credit card and I had made a small overseas purchase order with the card during the time in question. I do remember filling out some paper more than 3 years a go. Then I found this blog. I do believe it’s legit. However having heard so many horror stories about various scams and being a worrier by nature I thought about what to do. Should I do more online research, ask my local bank,cash it or tear it up and throw it away?
I tore it up and threw it away. Here’s why. It’s for a total of $18.04. I’m not rich, but I don’t need the $18.04. And even though as I said I do believe it’s legit somewhere in the back of my mind I know i’ll worry about it if I cashed it.
But those of you who do cash or cashed yours I strongly suspect you will be fine. Maybe you’ll get my share of the $18.04 I tore up,lol. Best wishes to all! Robert.
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DO NOT CASH THIS CHECK……. This is a total scam !!! They are after your signature and Bank Account information. Once they get that, they can issue fraudulent checks in your name. NOT WORTH THE $18.00.
***** DO NOT SIGN OR CASH IN THIS CHECK. DESTROY IT ******
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I vaguely remember getting the lawsuit info in the mail several years ago. However I, like everyone else, am skeptical of the odd-looking ‘check’ for $18.04.
What I find the most odd is the postage-required return postcard for “Record Update Verification” whch comprised the back half of the mailer that contained my “check”. The check got to me so obviously someone knows who and where I am already without further supplying any more information about myself.
Seriously, does anyone think that I am going to spend any of my $18.04 ( should I be brave enough to cash the check in the first place) on a stamp to send this nonsense back to them? What’s up with this? If they get the cashed check back, that should be proof enough that the name/address was correct. After all, the info is on the back of the ‘check’!
I am still vacillating whether or not $18.00 is worth possibly jeopardizing my identity on down the line.
I have found ths page to be a great read! Really apprciate the work evryone has put into researching this!
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I found this article after still being skeptical. Guess it is legit. I do kind of remember signing up for this lawsuit in the hopes of getting $25 free. But $18.04 will do. I wonder what they will do with the extra money they have left over after so many people throw these out?
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/11/10/uk-usa-creditcards-settlement-idUSLNE7A904I20111110
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Don’t cash it. It’s a scam. It’s not worth the risk of identity theft. Have a great weekend everyone.
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I agree, DO NOT CASH THIS CHECK. Once you cash this, the company will have on record, your full name, full address, your signature and your bank account. DON’T DO IT. It’s not worth the risk. God bless everyone.
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check this: http://abcnews.go.com/Business/10-million-credit-card-holders-receive-settlement-checks/story?id=15304436#.Tx3qW5gRa-I
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I spoke to a Huntington National Bank manager directly. He verified that the check is legit.
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The check might very well be legit…. but the firm that gets the cancelled check back now has your full address, signature and bank account number. Forget it… Not worth any risk for $18. Tear it up !!!!!!
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I had a discussion with a representative at our Credit Union (CFCU), who also conferred with their Security Department. They said this is a real check and that the account number does clear when processed. When pressed further, asking if they would cover me, should this check bounce, they responded with the following:
“We have had a number of checks cleared through CFCU in regards to this class action suit. All of them have cleared, none have been returned. CFCU will waive the fee if for some reason the check does get returned.
Please let us know if you have any further questions or concerns.”
I also spoke with the teller at one of the CFCU Branch offices. He said they have seen (and processed) “a lot of these checks recently”. I asked: “a lot?” He said: “a LOT” with much emphasis on the “LOT”. He further said that none have returned or bounced.
When I went to deposit our checks (one for my wife, one for me), I asked if I were to deposit the check into one of my unused savings suffixes and the check were to bounce, from which suffix would the funds be withdrawn. He said from the suffix into which the check was originally deposited. So, I deposited my check into one of my unused savings suffixes (instead of my primary checking account).
That being said, I will let the deposit amount ($18.04) sit there and collect minimal interest for a few months. I didn’t have this money before, so I won’t miss it if I just forget about it for a while. Maybe in a year, I’ll go treat my wife to a surprise breakfast using that class action lawsuit refund money.
I really wonder how many checks are being shredded by people truly thinking this is a scam. Maybe that’s the entire reason the checks were designed the way that they were…in the hopes that nobody cashes them! Then the lawyers get a greater share of what’s left over after the 120 days passes (expiration date on the checks).
Good luck!
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Two points:
1) To Chris — When your credit union teller said he had seen \a lot\ of these checks lately, he wasn’t kidding. In all, they’ve sent out over 10 million! (That’s why the proposed $25 amount initially stipulated in the settlement for Option 1 claimants was reduced to $18.04.)
2) To anyone who still believes this is a scam and decides not to cash your check: Please sign it over to me and send it along (after contacting me to get my mailing address.) I’ll gladly assume the \risk\ of cashing any and all — and even send you $5 cash back!
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Nice try Ralph….. You just increased the identity risk. You would be yet another party having the check holders account information. I agree with the “risks” postings here. It is not worth the chance for $18. NO WAY. I agree with the above posting that the check holder will have my bank information after I cash it in. This is an “Inside” scam. The check might be legit but they have something up their sleeves. Remember the old saying, “If this doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t…. so don’t do it”.
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I chose the second option, which required me to report the total number of days I was outside the USA, during 1996-2006 inclusive. I was outside the country for a total of 503 days during those eleven years. My refund check arrived yesterday, for $25.03. Wow. They compensated me A NICKEL PER DIEM, for all the ways that various credit card companies gypped me when calculating exchange on my foreign transactions.
Attached to the check was IMPORTANT NOTICE which suggests there may be a second round of negotiations, settlements, and disbursements of funds, and I am automatically enrolled. Terrific. I will not hold my breath, but I am grateful for the $25.03 I received.
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By endorsing this check for $25.03, you may have given up your rights to receive any further settlement, which could be much larger in sum. By endorsing this check, you agreed to accept this smaller amount instead of waiting for the final settlement.
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Folks, these checks are real. Just go to ccfsettlement.com and read all of the postings. The site has been up since 2007. The class-action lawsuit is real. The settlements are real. Banks settled for $325,000,000. There were mailings sent out. You had three options – option 1 – $25; Option 2 – based on travel patterns, and Option 3 – based on actual spend by credit/debit card. It’s likely that someone in your family responded some four years ago (claims were due May 30, 2008) either online or via mail. You had to respond to receive a check.
There is plenty of documentation explaining why the claim went from $25 to $18.04 (too many claiments – they had to prorate for the Option 2, 3 and Agency claims)
We chose option 3 and we are expecting a check for something on the order of $250 – $500 based on my wife’s heavy travel during the years where the credit card companies did not disclose currency charges.
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Hi everyone, thanks for all your comments, opinions, and concerns. Kay: I think to get an answer to your question you would need to ask a lawyer. That goes toward my comment to Joseph as well: I personally am not willing to pay to hire a lawyer to see if I could get a larger amount if I don’t take the $18.04. It is not worth the time and effort and hassle to me. My understanding of class action lawsuits comes mostly from John Grisham’s novel King of Torts–in which the characters who took the tumor-causing drugs settled for about $50,000 each when they might have pursued individual lawsuits which could have potentially earned them two or three times that. (Again, this is fiction.) But one concern was that if the companies went bankrupt, no matter what the award, the customer would get nothing. Not that the major credit card companies are likely to go bankrupt. Anyway, I’m not willing to bet that a small-town lawyer from Spokane, Washington, would win an individual suit on my behalf against a major credit card company that would earn me more than $18.04. How many years would I have to pay him? Would I ever see the money? That’s just my opinion of course. Colleen, and all those of you wondering if there have been any reprecussions from cashing this check: no. It has been many weeks since my husband and I cashed our check and that is the last we heard of the matter. Nor has anyone on the internal BBB system–and this is BBBs from all over the U.S. and Canada–reported otherwise. If people were getting scammed, believe me, I would know about it.
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Give it time…. you will get scammed. They have a lot of bank information to play with. It’s all a matter of time. Plus, they will probably sell some information off to others to make $$$….. other wolves to devour your privacy. Good luck !!!!
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Russel, I got a check for $50 and I had chosen the option based on the number of days I was out of the USA during that time period. I forgot exactly how long it was, but it lasted YEARS.
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here is the link to the court order. I just got my $41.92 today. I just don’t understand why someone’s check bounced?
http://www.ccfsettlement.com/documents/Order%20Approving%20Distribution%20of%20the%20Net%20Settlement%20Fund%20-%20October%205%202011.pdf
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Question, has anyone had a problem with the check being returned for insufficient funds like Anne Kuite who posted January 6, 2012 at 3:50 PM? I just received this check in the mail but will be very annoyed if it costs me money to attempt to cash. Thanks!
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You’re crazy if you cash that. “Goodbye Privacy”.
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Joseph T., Here is your score for the above ignorant comment. J.P.W.
That stands for Just Plain Wrong. The accompanying form declares that I am part of the class that MAY receive further reimbursement. I expect nothing to come of the possible second judgment; but if more money arrives, OK.
Thanks for your interest, but your speculation was nonsense.
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Kurt… you are the one that sounds foolish. You sound like a smart a$$. Get with it Mr. Kurt.
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I just took my check to the currency exchange today, and after the $1.11 fee they charge, I took my $16.93 with a smile
The checks ARE LEGIT. I was a bit hesitant too, but figured taking it there had nothing to lose.. Mind u, the clerk at the counter was skeptical about it himself, and thus asked for confirmation from his manager to make sure it Was Legit. manager took one look and said, \yeh it’s fine. It’s a class action check.\ and that was all.. Hope this helps
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Smart move… that’s a thumbs up.. hahaha
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I regret cashing in mine since I needed to endorse it. My attorney friend told me recently that yes, it is real, but it can always leave the chance for someone to obtain personal records. It’s real…but….ummmmmmm…. I don’t know now.
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My husband received a checked for $726.36 in the mail today!! But does not remember filling out any paperwork! Our last name is misspelled on the check as well!! An extra $700.00 would be nice but is it really legit??
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You will find over 3,500 high security and stylish personal bank checks and business bank checks. Even with the electronic age and electronic services that are at our fingertips, such as electronic bill pay, paper checks are still important and a necessity for any checking account holder.
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My check in the amount of $1,142.36 came in this past weekend but I destroyed it. It’s not worth any risk of identity theft. My last name was also misspelled
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I cashed my check (against my savings account) on saturday 3/3 at a BOA branch. I received my $29.00 and promptly spent it. If I receive any notification stating the check was bad, I will update the post
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…I’m curious why some checks (per some postings) are bouncing or being returned, thus charging individuals $12 for returned check fees?… shouldn’t there be enough funds to cover the amount for all checked mailed to all of us?… considering 1/3 of you said they did not cash/deposit their checks, shouldn’t there be more than enough funds for those who did cash/deposit their checks?…
I remember filling out a form and mailing it a few years back, but shredded the copy I made sometime last year after not hearing anything about it. I do use my MC whenever I travel overseas and for this received a check in the amount of $18.04
I called my credit card company tonight and spoke with a supervisor and was told she doesn’t know anything about this check and recommend I call the Huntington National Bank, which I did and had a confirmation that this check is legit and there is still funds to cover the amount on my check…
So tomorrow I am going to deposit my check but before doing so will ask if I can do so without writing my account number at the back of the check… will let you know of its outcome… To all who posted, thanks for the legwork…
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I also received a check today, but mine is for $299.82. And like every body else I have been wondering if this class action suit was legit. From all the replies posted it seems to be so I will deposit the check soon. It looks like easy money, but it may not be. I was residing overseas for the entire period covered by the class action suit; and since I keep all my monthly credit card statements I was able to provide a very accurate itemisation of all my credit card debits and the concomitant fees, about 10k/year. So I was expecting my refund to be about $5k, but it is only $299.82! the “fine print” provided with the check indicates that “all refnd amounts are reduced becasue the full amount of all the claim exceeds the amount in the settlement fund”. A refund is always good to take but I guess the real winner in the class action lawsuit are the lawyers who “negotiate” the settlement. the legal fee should be disclosed with every check sent out!
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I am not familiar with check cashing places or their practices (what info they require etc), but couldn’t we just bring it to one of those places without having to potentially compromise my banking account information??
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With so many scam out there, I am glad I was able to find this information.
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We misplaced the check for $18.04 and just found it. It says not good after 120 days and it is dated 12/12/11. Is there a way to have the check reissued so we can have the $18.04 that is still in the fund waiting for us to cash a check? Please advise. Sincerely Kathleen
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I would probably start at the CCF Settlement website: http://www.ccfsettlement.com . There is contact information there You could also write to: U. S. District Court Settlement Administrator P.O. Box 290 Philadelphia, PA 19105-0290. There is also a telephone number: 1.800.945.9890. Good Luck!
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