N.J. Global Tel Link Class Action Settlement

UPDATE: The N.J. Global Tel Link Class Action Settlement was granted final approval on October 22, 2020.  Please note that claims will not be paid until after the claim deadline passes on December 7, 2020. Top Class Actions will continue to provide updates as we learn more. 

Global Tel Link has agreed to pay $25 million to resolve claims that it failed to disclose fees and expenses to consumers trying to call to and from New Jersey prisons.

The settlement benefits individuals who were incarcerated in a New Jersey prison between 2006 and 2016 and who used the Global Tel Link phone system. Also included in the settlement are individuals who received telephone calls through Global Tel Link from an incarcerated person in New Jersey before June 2010 or in Essex County, N.J., before June 2011.

According to plaintiffs in the Global Tel Link class action lawsuit, the company fails to disclose its rates or applicable charges to customers placing calls to or from a New Jersey prison. Allegedly, consumers are not told about set up or service fees and are hit with unexpended expenses.

“Defendants fail to inform their customers that they will be charged a service or set-up fee which will be deducted from their advance pay balance, when an account is first established,” the Global Tel Link class action lawsuit contends.

Other fees are allegedly charged in the form of a 20% service fee for deposits. For example, if a consumer wants to deposit $50 into an account for use, $9.50 of this deposit is reportedly pocketed by Global Tel Link.

Global Tel Link has not admitted any wrongdoing as alleged in the class action lawsuit against them. However, the company has agreed to resolve the claims with a $25 million class action settlement.

Under the terms of the settlement, Class Members can recover cash payments compensating them for the amount they spent on calls to and from New Jersey prison locations. Recovery will depend on the amount spent on calls and the dates that money was spent for these calls, as follows:

• For calls made between Jan. 1, 2006 and Dec. 31, 2008: 20% of the total amount spent for calling time above $.05 per minute;
• For calls made between Jan. 1, 2009 and Dec. 31, 2011: 15% of the total amount spent for calling time above $.05 per minute;
• For calls made between Jan. 1, 2012 and Dec. 31, 2016: 10% of the total amount spent for calling time above $.05 per minute.

Current Global Tel Link customers are not required to file a claim to benefit from the settlement. However, past customers must submit a claim by Dec. 7, 2020. Claim forms require information about the Class Member’s calls.

Class Members have until Sept. 21, 2020, to exclude themselves from or object to the terms of the Global Tel Link class action settlement. The final approval hearing is scheduled for Oct. 15, 2020.

Who’s Eligible

Individuals who were incarcerated in a New Jersey prison between 2006 and 2016 and who used the Global Tel Link phone system AND individuals who received telephone calls through Global Tel Link from an incarcerated person in New Jersey before June 2010 or in Essex County, N.J., before June 2011.

Potential Award

Cash reimbursement for Global Tel Link call services.

Cash payments will compensate Class Members for the amount they spent on calls to and from New Jersey prison locations. Recovery will depend on the amount spent on calls and the dates that money was spent for these calls, as follows:

• For calls made between Jan. 1, 2006 and Dec. 31, 2008: 20% of the total amount spent for calling time above $.05 per minute;
• For calls made between Jan. 1, 2009 and Dec. 31, 2011: 15% of the total amount spent for calling time above $.05 per minute;
• For calls made between Jan. 1, 2012 and Dec. 31, 2016: 10% of the total amount spent for calling time above $.05 per minute.

Proof of Purchase

AdvancePay telephone numbers, time period of use, PINs, New Jersey prison information and other Global Tel Link account information.

Claim Form

CLICK HERE TO FILE A CLAIM »

Claim forms are only required for former Global Tel Link customers. Current customers aren’t required to file a claim and can click here for more information.

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

12/07/2020

Case Name

James, et al. v. Global Tel*Link, et al., Case No. 13-4989-WJM-MF, in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey

Final Hearing

10/15/2020

Settlement Website

www.GTLPrisonCallsClassAction.com

Claims Administrator

James v. GTL Administrator
PO Box 30128
Philadelphia, PA 19103
[email protected]
1-855-790-7507

Class Counsel

James E. Cecchi
Lindsey H. Taylor
CARELLA, BYRNE, CECCHI, OLSTEIN, BRODY & AGNELLO

Justin P. Walder
James A. Plaisted
PASHMAN STEIN WALDER HAYDEN

Defense Counsel

Aaron Van Nostrand
Michael R. Sklaire
GREENBERG TRAURIG LLP

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