Cellco Partnership, Verizon Pre-Recorded Debt-Collection Calls $3.95M Class Action Settlement

Cellco Partnership, doing business as Verizon, will pay $3.95 million as part of a settlement to resolve claims it violated the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) with pre-recorded debt-collection calls.

The settlement benefits individuals whose phone numbers were listed as “can be contacted” on a Verizon account, who received a pre-recorded debt collection call from Verizon, pressed the button to indicate a wrong number while on the call, but received another prerecorded debt collection call afterwards, all within the last four years. According to the settlement website, there are 61,485 Class Members included under this definition.

Verizon touts itself as “one of the largest communication technology companies in the world.” In 2021, the company reportedly generated $133.6 billion around the world. 

Unfortunately, as impressive as these accolades are, Verizon may have violated federal law with unsolicited phone calls 

A Massachusetts woman filed a class action lawsuit against Cellco Partnership (doing business as Verizon Wireless) in 2016. The plaintiff said that she received automated and pre-recorded phone calls from the cellular provider despite not being a customer with the company. 

When she received these calls, the plaintiff allegedly tried to opt out of future calls by pressing the button option provided. Despite this, she claims Verizon continued to call her. The Verizon class action lawsuit notes the plaintiff had no idea how Verizon got her number and did not know the person the company was trying to contact.

According to the plaintiff, Verizon’s debt collection calls violated the TCPA. The TCPA is a federal law which protects consumers from unsolicited telemarketing calls and texts. Violations, including those alleged in the Verizon class action lawsuit, could result in penalties of up to $1,500 per call.

Verizon hasn’t admitted any wrongdoing but agreed to resolve these claims with a $3.95 million settlement.

Under the terms of the Verizon pre-recorded debt-collection calls settlement, Class Members can receive cash payments. Payments will depend on the number of claims filed with the settlement and the net settlement fund after deductions are made. 

Payments are capped at $500 per call. According to the settlement website, compensation per call is expected to be $71 to $143, with total payments estimated to be between $390 and $785 per Class Member.

The deadline for exclusion and objection is March 7, 2022. 

The final approval hearing for the Verizon pre-recorded debt-collection calls settlement is scheduled for April 28, 2022.

In order to receive payments from the settlement, Class Members must submit a valid claim form by March 7, 2022.

Who’s Eligible

The settlement benefits individuals whose phone numbers were listed as “can be contacted” on a Verizon account, who received a pre-recorded debt collection call from Verizon, pressed the button to indicate a wrong number while on the call, but received another prerecorded debt collection call afterwards, all within the last four years. According to the settlement website, there are 61,485 Class Members included under this definition.

Potential Award

Estimated between $390 and $785

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

03/07/2022

Case Name

Breda v. Cellco Partnership d/b/a Verizon Wireless, Case No. 1:16-cv-11512-DJC, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts

Final Hearing

04/28/2022

Settlement Website

BredaTCPASettlement.com

Claims Administrator

Breda TCPA Settlement
c/o Epiq
P.O. Box 3685
Portland, OR 97208-3685
855-675-3077

Class Counsel

Keith J. Keogh
KEOGH LAW LTD

Sergei Lemberg
LEMBERG LAW LLC

Defense Counsel

David G. Thomas
GREENBERG TRAURIG LLP