A major update has arrived for consumers who have been following the long-running Visa and Mastercard settlement case.
The latest news confirms that payouts are set to roll out in 2025, and eligible individuals and businesses can soon expect their compensation. This article will break down everything you need to know—check amounts, eligibility rules, how to claim, and the timeline for payments.
What Is the Visa Mastercard Settlement?
The Visa and Mastercard settlement is one of the biggest antitrust class-action lawsuits in U.S. history. It all started because merchants claimed that Visa and Mastercard charged them excessive fees when customers paid with credit or debit cards. The case dragged on for years, but a settlement was finally reached, totaling around $5.6 billion.
This money is meant to compensate businesses—both big and small—that accepted Visa or Mastercard payments between January 1, 2004, and January 25, 2019. If your business processed payments during this time, you may be eligible for a payout.
What’s New in 2025?
In 2025, we have some important updates:
- Payout processing is expected to begin in the third quarter of 2025.
- Many claimants have already received letters or emails confirming their eligibility.
- The final list of approved claims was closed in late 2024, but appeals and corrections are still being reviewed as of early 2025.
How Much Can You Expect?
The payout amount depends on how much your business paid in interchange fees (the fees charged when a customer uses a card). Simply put, the more transactions you processed during the claim period, the higher your payout.
According to recent updates:
- Small businesses may receive anywhere from $500 to $5,000.
- Medium-sized businesses might get $10,000 to $50,000.
- Larger merchants could see payouts exceeding $100,000.
However, keep in mind that all payouts are proportional. If many businesses claim a share of the fund, each payment may be adjusted downward slightly.
Who Is Eligible?
You may qualify if:
- Your business accepted Visa or Mastercard payments between January 1, 2004, and January 25, 2019.
- You did not opt out of the class-action lawsuit when notifications were sent out in 2019 and 2020.
- You filed a valid claim before the deadline, which was in May 2024.
Note: If your business changed ownership, the claim could still be valid depending on how the sale was handled. Legal experts recommend checking your claim status online or consulting with the official settlement administrator.
How to Check Your Claim Status?
In 2025, the fastest way to check your claim status is online at the official settlement website: www.paymentcardsettlement.com. You can also contact the claims administrator via email or phone.
Make sure you have your Claimant ID and other related documents handy when checking.
When Will You Get Paid?
The big question on everyone’s mind is: When will I get my money?
Here’s the latest timeline:
- May 2025 – Most appeals and disputes are expected to wrap up.
- July–August 2025 – Initial batches of payments will start processing.
- By the end of 2025, all valid claims should be paid out, unless there are unexpected legal delays.
What If You Missed the Deadline?
Unfortunately, if you didn’t submit a claim by the deadline in 2024, you cannot apply now. The claims process is closed. However, it’s still a good idea to stay informed, as similar class-action lawsuits often happen in the financial industry.
Stay Aware of Scams
With billions of dollars involved, scammers may try to take advantage of the situation. Remember:
The official website is the best source of truth—be cautious of unofficial links or offers.
Only respond to official emails from the claims administrator.
Never pay a fee to “speed up” your payout.