If you’ve been a Verizon wireless customer over the past several years, there’s important news that could put money back in your pocket. A major class action settlement worth $100 million has been reached, and payments are set to begin in August 2025. But what does this mean for you, and how can you make sure you don’t miss out?
What Sparked This Massive Settlement?
The story begins with something many of us can relate to: getting a phone bill that just didn’t look right. Between January 2016 and November 2023, millions of Verizon postpaid customers noticed mysterious charges appearing on their monthly statements. These weren’t the usual taxes or fees you’d expect – they were labeled as “Administrative Charges” that seemed to come out of nowhere.
Here’s what made these charges particularly frustrating: Verizon never clearly explained them in their plan advertisements, and they weren’t transparently displayed on bills. Customers found themselves paying extra money month after month without understanding why or even realizing it was happening.
When enough people started asking questions and comparing notes, lawyers stepped in to investigate. What they discovered led to this significant class action lawsuit that ultimately resulted in Verizon agreeing to compensate affected customers.
The Timeline That Matters
The problematic charges occurred over a seven-year period, from January 1, 2016, through November 8, 2023. If you had Verizon postpaid wireless service during any part of this timeframe, you might be entitled to compensation.
Who Can Benefit from This Settlement?
The beauty of this settlement is its inclusiveness. You don’t need to be a current Verizon customer to qualify – former customers who were affected during the specified period are also eligible.
You may qualify if you:
- Had a Verizon postpaid wireless plan between 2016 and 2023
- Were charged administrative fees that weren’t clearly disclosed
- Are either an individual customer or small business owner
- Still have records of your Verizon billing (helpful but not always required)
Small Businesses Are Included Too
This settlement doesn’t just cover individual consumers. Small businesses that used Verizon’s services and were hit with these undisclosed charges can also file claims. This recognition shows that the impact of these billing practices extended far beyond personal phone plans.
How Much Money Are We Talking About?
While $100 million sounds impressive (and it is), your individual payout will depend on several factors. Legal experts estimate that most eligible claimants can expect to receive somewhere between $15 and $100, though the exact amount will be determined by:
- How long you were a Verizon customer during the affected period
- How many administrative charges you were assessed
- The total number of people who file claims
- The complexity of your particular situation
Here’s something important to remember: If fewer people file claims than expected, individual payouts could be higher. This means taking action to file your claim isn’t just about getting your money back – it could also mean getting more money back.
Payment Timeline
Mark your calendars for August 15, 2025. That’s when the settlement payments are scheduled to begin, assuming final court approval goes smoothly and no appeals delay the process.
The Step-by-Step Claim Process
Filing your claim doesn’t require a law degree or complex paperwork. The process has been designed to be straightforward and accessible to regular people.
Here’s exactly what you need to do:
Step 1: Visit the Official Website
Go to verizonadministrativechargesettlement.com. This is the only legitimate website for filing claims – be wary of any other sites that might try to take advantage of the situation.
Step 2: Complete the Claim Form
You’ll need some basic information:
- Your full name and contact information
- Your Verizon account number (if you still have it)
- Phone numbers associated with your Verizon service
- Approximate dates of service during the affected period
Step 3: Gather Supporting Documents
While not always required, having old bills can strengthen your claim. If you’re someone who keeps financial records, dig out those Verizon statements from the 2016-2023 period. Electronic statements work just as well as paper ones.
Step 4: Submit and Track
Once you submit your claim, you’ll receive a confirmation number. Keep this safe – it’s your ticket to tracking the progress of your claim and ensuring you don’t miss any important updates.
What This Settlement Means Beyond the Money
While getting compensated for overcharges is obviously important, this settlement represents something bigger. It’s a clear message to telecommunications companies that customers won’t tolerate hidden fees and unclear billing practices.
Changes You Can Expect
Companies like Verizon are likely to:
- Improve billing transparency
- Provide clearer explanations of all charges
- Enhance customer service training around billing issues
- Implement better systems to prevent similar problems
Your Rights as a Consumer
This case reinforces several important consumer rights:
- The right to transparent pricing
- The right to understand what you’re paying for
- The right to challenge unfair billing practices
- The right to seek compensation when companies fail to meet these standards
Protecting Yourself During the Claims Process
Unfortunately, major settlements like this often attract scammers. Here’s how to protect yourself:
Red flags to watch for:
- Unsolicited phone calls asking for personal information
- Emails requesting immediate action or payment to “process your claim”
- Websites that look similar to the official site but have different URLs
- Anyone asking for upfront fees to file your claim
Remember: The legitimate claims process is free, and you should only use the official settlement website.
Staying Informed
Keep an eye on your email and physical mail. The settlement administrator may send updates about the process, deadline extensions, or other important information. Make sure your contact information is current with any email providers or address changes.
What Happens If You Don’t File a Claim?
Simply put, you won’t receive any compensation. Unlike some class action settlements where benefits are distributed automatically, this one requires you to take action. The deadline for filing claims will be announced, and once that date passes, the opportunity is gone.
Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute
While the exact deadline hasn’t been announced yet, it’s smart to file your claim as soon as possible. This ensures you don’t forget, and it helps avoid any last-minute technical issues with the website.
Looking Forward: What This Means for the Industry
This settlement could signal a shift in how telecommunications companies handle billing transparency. Other providers are likely watching closely and may proactively review their own billing practices to avoid similar legal challenges.
For consumers, this represents a victory in the ongoing battle for fair and transparent business practices. It shows that when customers band together and take action, even large corporations can be held accountable.
Your Next Steps
If you think you might be eligible for this settlement:
- Check your old Verizon bills for administrative charges
- Visit the official settlement website
- File your claim with accurate information
- Keep your confirmation number safe
- Stay alert for updates about the payout process
This settlement isn’t just about getting money back – though that’s certainly welcome. It’s about ensuring that companies treat their customers fairly and transparently. By participating in this process, you’re not only potentially putting money in your pocket, but also supporting broader consumer protections for everyone.
The August 2025 payout date might seem far away, but the time to act is now. Don’t let this opportunity to recover money that was rightfully yours slip by.