I just got another one.
*“To claim your $26, provide proof that you owned Acme Common Stock on July 17th, 2013. Fill out the 3 page application and… Accurate claims processing takes a significant amount of time…” *
Has anyone ever successfully completed this process–or even bothered to try?
Wife and I both got a couple of dollars from the equifax settlement where millions of people had their private info leaked. I feel like it was 20 something?
There have been others for tiny amounts. Being an AT&T user when they got sued for throttling “unlimited” data a few years back (they still but now they disclose it so it’s fine). Lots of times the biggest ones that affect a ton of people can be a big dollar amount but so many users it ends up being tiny checks for each person who claims. I have seen some where the postage is more than the check is for. Gotta love lawyers…
My biggest one was from getting “Equifaxed”. The credit bureaus were still charging to freeze your credit when I did mine. They later made it no charge. I still leave mine frozen and only do temporary windows when I’m going to apply for something. I was also part of the OPM breach. I’ve had other breaches get my email or whatever, but OPM and Equifax were the 2 that I worry about (and I’m a CPA).
I also sign up for all the class actions that I’m eligible for. Why not? They already have all of my details because they know I’m part of the class. It would take something pretty egregious for me to opt out so I can sue the company individually.
I have mixed emotions about the attorneys that do this work, but they are holding large companies accountable for shenanigans, and deserve to be compensated for their time and expertise. But it always does sound excessive doesn’t it, the amount of the settlement that gets earmarked to cover fees?