Top Class Actions’s website and social media posts use affiliate links. If you make a purchase using such links, we may receive a commission, but it will not result in any additional charges to you. Please review our Affiliate Link Disclosure for more information.
This settlement is closed!
Please see what other class action settlements you might qualify to claim cash from in our Open Settlements directory!
Updates:
- Top Class Actions readers reported this settlement paying out up to $8.97 in a second distribution as of early January 2024.
- Congratulations to everyone who filed a claim and got PAID!
- This class action settlement is paying out up to $11.54 as of May 13, 2023.
- Congratulations to everyone who filed a claim and got paid!
Global Tel Link (GTL) will pay $67 million as part of a class action lawsuit settlement resolving claims it unlawfully retained funds from AdvancePay accounts after inactivity.
The settlement benefits a nationwide Class of individuals who had a positive balance in a prepaid GTL account that was reduced to a zero balance after up to 180 days of account inactivity between April 3, 2011, and Oct. 6, 2021.
Global Tel Link Corp. is an inmate telephone service company that operates prison phone systems at around 2,300 facilities throughout the country. According to the company’s website, 1.8 million inmates and their family members use GTL accounts, which are often prepaid, to speak to each other.Â
Global Tel Link allegedly retained money from prepaid AdvancePay accounts after these accounts were inactive for around 180 days or six months. According to the GTL class action lawsuit, the company should have returned these funds to consumers instead of pocketing the cash for its own benefit.
The plaintiff in the case is a practicing criminal defense lawyer who used GTL services to speak to clients and other inmates. After a period of inactivity, the lawyer says his account balance was reduced to zero after a period of inactivity in 2014.Â
According to the GTL class action lawsuit, the plaintiff wasn’t informed that his accounts would be forfeit after 90 days of inactivity.
GTL hasn’t admitted any wrongdoing but agreed to resolve these class action lawsuit allegations with a $67 million settlement.
Under the terms of the settlement, GTL will reimburse consumers for 100 percent of any fund the company retained from inactive accounts.Â
Payments will vary depending on how much money Class Members had in their inactive accounts.Â
Both current and former customers are eligible for this relief, though the refund method will vary depending on whether a Class Member has an active account with GTL.Â
The Global Tel Link AdvancePay class action lawsuit settlement also includes non-monetary relief that changes GTL’s inactivity policy. The baseline policy will extend from 90 days to 180 days, consumers with active accounts will be able to refund their account balances, and other changes are included in the new policy.
The deadline for exclusion and objection is April 15, 2022.Â
The final approval hearing for the Global Tel Link settlement is scheduled for Aug. 26, 2022.
Current GTL customers do not need to file a claim; settlement payments will be automatically credited to their accounts.Â
Former GTL customers must submit a valid claim form by June 14, 2022.
Who’s Eligible
The settlement benefits a nationwide Class of individuals who had a positive balance in a prepaid GTL account that was reduced to a zero balance after up to 180 days of account inactivity between April 3, 2011, and Oct. 6, 2021.
Potential Award
Varies.
Proof of Purchase
No proof of purchase applicable.
Claim Form
NOTE: If you do not qualify for this settlement do NOT file a claim.
Remember: you are submitting your claim under penalty of perjury. You are also harming other eligible Class Members by submitting a fraudulent claim. If you’re unsure if you qualify, please read the FAQ section of the Settlement Administrator’s website to ensure you meet all standards (Top Class Actions is not a Settlement Administrator). If you don’t qualify for this settlement, check out our database of other open class action settlements you may be eligible for.
Claim Form Deadline
06/14/2022
Case Name
Benson Githieya v. Global Tel Link Corp., Case No. 1:15-CV-00986-AT, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia of the Atlanta Division
Final Hearing
08/26/2022
Settlement Website
Claims Administrator
GTL Prepaid Settlement
C/O Rust Consulting Inc. – 7513
PO Box 2627
Faribault, MN 55021-9638
833-630-1412
Class Counsel
Michael A. Caplan
James W. Cobb
T. Brandon Waddell
CAPLAN COBB LLP
Defense Counsel
Josh Belinfante
Jeremy U Littlefield
Evan C Dunn
ROBBINS ALLOY BELINFANTE LITTLEFIELD LLC
Read About More Class Action Lawsuits & Class Action Settlements:
- JP Morgan, Wells Fargo, BoA Out-Of-Network ATM Fees $66M Class Action Settlement
- Wells Fargo Bankruptcy Credit Reporting $3M Class Action Settlement
- Seattle City Light Inaccurate Billing $3.5M Class Action Settlement
- Greenville Utilities Commission Fees $1.6M Class Action Settlement
ATTORNEY ADVERTISING
Top Class Actions is a Proud Member of the American Bar Association
LEGAL INFORMATION IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE
Top Class Actions Legal Statement
©2008 – 2024 Top Class Actions® LLC
Various Trademarks held by their respective owners
This website is not intended for viewing or usage by European Union citizens.
108 thoughts onGlobal Tel Link AdvancePay funds $67M class action settlement
I used globaltel for years and was notified about the suit, I filled the form out and sent it back and have not heard anything since. Do I need to contact a law office or globaltel to see what I am entitled to? When will I get the money owed to me? I have not heard a thing since sending the post card back.
When will I get my money from GTL
When will we get our money been waiting haven’t heard a word
Does anyone know who to contact I want my money ,I’m begging to think it’s bs
The rich are throwing us a bone with a fishing line attached and pulling the string on us.
Haven’t got anything yet may I ask why when you go into jail they keep any money in your pocket
When will we know when we will get our settlement n for how much since it was supposed to be settled on the 26?
When and how will I receive my money
I wanna know who have got money from this settlement
I haven’t received nothing
I have not received a check. My claim was completed at the beginning of the year