Certain AT&T wireless customers who live in California could be entitled to a $20 payment or bill credit as part of a class action settlement.
The federal case involves several AT&T customers who sued the company over a little-known surcharge called an Administrative Fee. The plaintiffs in the case allege AT&T charged the fee without fully disclosing it.
AT&T denies any wrongdoing. Still, a proposed settlement has been reached in the case that could earn eligible wireless customers a payment or bill credit from a $14 million pool of funds earmarked to resolve the issue.
Eligible customers must be in California with AT&T postpaid wireless service between June 20, 2015 and June 16, 2022. Some eligible customers began receiving notifications by e-mail or postal mail this week based on records obtained by the plaintiffs in the case, but anyone with a post-paid wireless account through AT&T is able to fill out a claim form and submit it for payment.
Customers with an active AT&T wireless account will receive a credit on their wireless bill, while former AT&T customers will receive a check in the mail. A legal notice said the final payment is expected to be around $20, though it could be higher or lower depending on how many valid claims are submitted.
The award is not automatic: Current and former AT&T wireless customers with an eligible post-paid account must file a claim by clicking or tapping here before October 29, 2022 to receive a bill credit or check. Eligible customers who do not file a claim will not receive the bill credit or payment, and they give up their right to sue AT&T about this specific issue in the future.
The plaintiffs in the case will each receive around $3,500, while the attorneys representing the plaintiffs are expected to be reimbursed $3.5 million in expenses and fees. The settlement is expected to be finalized during a court hearing in November.
The case is Vianu v. AT&T Mobility LLC, case no. 3:19-cv-03602-LB, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California.
