McAfee Auto Renewal Class Action Settlement

A settlement has been reached in two class action lawsuits against McAfee that accused the company of engaging in unfair practices about auto-renewal charges and the advertising of discounts and reference prices.

The McAfee Auto Renewal Settlement affects two “Classes” of McAfee customers: the “Auto-Renewal Class” and the “Reference Price Class.” The notice that you receive by mail or email will tell you which Class you’re in, perhaps both.

If the settlement is approved and becomes final, Class Members will get an $11.50 settlement – either cash or a certificate for future purchases.

Only those who bought software between Jan. 10, 2010 and Feb. 10, 2015 are eligible.

As part of the settlement, McAfee has also agreed to implement certain practice changes concerning auto-renewal transactions and pricing advertisements.

Plaintiffs in the two class action lawsuits claim that McAfee violated certain California statutes and common law with regard to its auto-renewal practices and its advertisements of discounts and reference prices.

Specifically, named plaintiffs Sam Williamson and Samantha Kirby allege that McAfee systematically charged customers enrolled in its software “auto-renewal” program higher prices than it charges other customers for identical products, in violation of its contractual obligations and contrary to its express representations concerning its auto-renewal program.

McAfee denies that it has violated any laws or done anything improper, but agreed to settle to avoid the expenses, inconveniences, risks, and interferences with ongoing business operations that are associated with litigation.

Class Members who wish to exclude themselves or object to the terms of the settlement must do so by Nov. 28, 2016.

Who’s Eligible

The settlement affects two “Classes” of McAfee customers:

The Auto-Renewal Class consists of: All persons in the U.S. who paid McAfee for the automatic renewal of a subscription license for any McAfee software (including software branded under the McAfee or Intel Security names) from Jan. 10, 2010 to Feb. 10, 2015, and whose first auto-renewal charge was at a price greater than the price paid to McAfee for the initial subscription license.

The Auto-Renewal Class does not include any person whose charges as described above were fully refunded by McAfee or fully credited through such person’s credit or debit card issuer.

The Reference Price Class consists of: All persons in the U.S. (1) who initially purchased from McAfee or manually renewed through McAfee a subscription license for any McAfee software (including software branded under the McAfee or Intel Security names) from Jan. 10, 2010 to Feb. 10, 2015, and (2) whose subscription license was initially purchased or manually renewed at a discounted price.

You may be part of both the Auto-Renewal Class and the Reference Price Class.

Potential Award

$11.50

All Class Members in the Auto-Renewal Class will receive an $11.50 settlement benefit if the settlement is approved and becomes final.

You can choose to receive the $11.50 either: (1) as $11.50 in cash; or (2) as an $11.50 McAfee value certificate good towards the purchase of McAfee or Intel Security consumer products.

To receive the $11.50 as cash, you must file a Cash Election Form by no later than Dec. 23, 2016.

Eligible Class Members who don’t file a Cash Election Form will instead receive an $11.50 McAfee value certificate good towards the purchase of McAfee or Intel Security consumer products.

Proof of Purchase

N/A.  Eligible Class Members must provide the Personal ID number and Confirmation Code on the top of the notice they received about this settlement by email or mail.

If you did not receive a Personal ID number and Confirmation Code but believe you are an eligible Class Member, contact the Settlement Administrator at 1-844-343-1478.

Claim Form

CLICK HERE TO FILE A CLAIM »

Claim Form Deadline

12/23/2016

Case Name

Williamson v. McAfee Inc., Case No. 14-cv-158-EJD, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.

Kirby v. McAfee Inc., Case No. 14-cv-2475-EJD, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.

Final Hearing

01/26/2017

UPDATE: The McAfee Auto Renewal settlement was granted approval by the court on February 3, 2017.  On February 15, 2017, an appeal was filed.  Claims will not be paid until all appeals are exhausted.  We appreciate your ongoing patience. Top Class Actions will continue to provide updates as we learn more.

Settlement Website

www.McAfeeWilliamsonSettlement.com

Claims Administrator

McAfee Williamson Claims Administrator
c/o Angeion Group
1801 Market Street, Suite 660
Philadelphia, PA 19103
1-844-343-1478
Email: info@McAfeeWilliamsonSettlement.com

Class Counsel

Roger N. Heller
LIEFF CABRASER HEIMANN & BERNSTEIN LLP

Daniel M. Hattis
HATTIS LAW

Tina Wolfson
Robert Ahdoot
AHDOOT & WOLFSON PC

Defense Counsel

Eli Schlam
WILLIAMS & CONNOLLY LLP