Verizon administrative fees $100M class action settlement

Update:

• Final approval for this class action settlement was granted April 26, 2024.
• An appeal was filed May 4, 2024.
• Claims will not be paid until appeals are resolved.

A settlement has been reached in a class action lawsuit that claimed Cellco Partnership, doing business as Verizon Wireless, misled its customers by not disclosing certain fees in its postpaid wireless service plans.  

The settlement class is composed of current and former account holders in the United States who received postpaid wireless or data services from Verizon and made payments for an Administrative Charge and/or an Administrative and Telco Recovery Charge between Jan. 1, 2016, and Nov. 8, 2023.

The plaintiffs in the class action lawsuit allege that within the class period, Cellco Partnership, doing business as Verizon Wireless, unfairly charged fees to customers who purchased postpaid wireless service plans. A monthly administrative charge was added that was not originally part of the advertised service plan price.

Verizon has denied any wrongdoing in the case and believes the lawsuit to be without merit. Despite this, Verizon and the plaintiffs have reached a settlement to resolve the class action lawsuit. 

Verizon is a mobile phone service provider primarily based in the United States, though it provides products and services in more than 150 countries worldwide. Verizon reported $136.8B in revenue in 2022 and ranks No. 26 on the Fortune 500 list, according to the company’s website. 

Eligible class members can receive financial compensation if the settlement is approved and becomes final. Verizon will pay $100 million into a settlement fund that will then be distributed to class members via check or electronic payment.

Each class member may receive an initial minimum amount of $15 will be allocated for each claimant’s acccount, plus $1 for each month their account received Verizon postpaid wireless or data services and was charged and paid an Administrative Charge and/or an Administrative and Telco Recovery Charge juring the class period, up to a maximum initial allocated amount of $100.

However, depending on how many class members file valid claims and the length of time each class member was a Verizon subscriber, that amount may be lower.

Class members may file their claims online or via mail. Claimants must provide their Verizon Wireless phone number and contact information and must choose a form of payment. Those who received a settlement notice via mail or email must also provide their notice ID and confirmation code.

The deadline to opt out of the class action lawsuit settlement is Feb. 20, 2024, and the objection deadline is Feb. 26, 2024.

A final fairness hearing for the Cellco and Verizon fees settlement is scheduled for March 22, 2024.

Claim forms must be submitted by April 15, 2024.

Who’s Eligible

Any current and former account holders in the United States who received postpaid wireless or data services from Verizon and made payments for an Administrative Charge and/or an Administrative and Telco Recovery Charge between Jan. 1, 2016, and Nov. 8, 2023.

Potential Award

$100

Proof of Purchase

Verizon Wireless phone number. Claimants must also povide contact information and the Notice ID and Confirmation Code if they received a settlement notice by mail or email.

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

04/15/2024

Case Name

Esposito, et al. v. Cellco Partnership d/b/a Verizon Wireless, Docket No. MID-L-6360-23, in the Superior Court of the State of New Jersey

Final Hearing

03/22/2024

Settlement Website

VerizonAdministrativeChargeSettlement.com

Claims Administrator

Settlement Administrator at Verizon Administrative Charge Settlement
1650 Arch Street
Suite 2210
Philadelphia, PA 19103
info@VerizonAdministrativeChargeSettlement.com
844-689-0186

Class Counsel

Stephen P DeNittis Esq
Joseph A Osefchen Esq
Shane T Prince Esq
DENITTIS OSEFCHEN PRINCE PC

Daniel M Hattis Esq
Paul Karl Lukacs Esq
HATTIS & LUKACS

Defense Counsel

Jeffrey S Jacobson
FAEGRE DRINKER BIDDLE & REATH LLP  

Shon Morgan
QUINN EMANUEL URQUHART & SULLIVAN LLP