Have you ever noticed the small extra charges that sometimes appear when you make a payment using your Visa or Mastercard at a store or online? Most people never think twice about them, assuming they are just standard transaction costs. But what if you were told you might be eligible for a refund for those very charges? Yes, that’s exactly what’s happening in 2025 under the Visa-Mastercard Class Action Settlement — a massive legal case that’s finally offering compensation to millions of U.S. merchants who accepted Visa or Mastercard payments between 2004 and 2019.
This groundbreaking settlement could mean refunds of up to $2,000 (or more) for eligible businesses. In this detailed breakdown, let’s explore what the Visa-Mastercard Class Action Settlement is, who qualifies, how to apply, and why this settlement is such a big win for American merchants.
What is the Visa-Mastercard Class Action Settlement?
The Visa-Mastercard Class Action Settlement is the outcome of a major antitrust lawsuit filed against Visa and Mastercard. The case accused these two financial giants of charging excessive “swipe fees” — the fees that merchants pay whenever customers make card payments.
For years, merchants argued that Visa and Mastercard, along with several major banks, had used their dominance in the market to force businesses to pay unfairly high fees on credit and debit transactions. These high charges reduced profits for millions of businesses across the United States.
After years of litigation, both companies finally agreed to a settlement. Under this Visa-Mastercard Class Action Settlement, Visa and Mastercard will pay approximately $5.54 billion to affected merchants. This compensation will be distributed among all qualifying businesses that accepted card payments during the specified period — offering long-awaited financial relief to many who had been burdened by unfair transaction costs.
Who Qualifies as “Class Members”?
In legal terms, those eligible for this settlement are known as “Class Members.” To be considered a Class Member under the Visa-Mastercard Class Action Settlement, you must meet the following conditions:
- Your business must have accepted Visa or Mastercard payments between January 1, 2004, and January 25, 2019.
- Your business operations must have been located within the United States during that period.
- You must have been a merchant, retailer, service provider, or company that processed card transactions through Visa or Mastercard.
In simple terms, if you owned or operated a store, restaurant, online business, or service that took Visa or Mastercard payments during that 15-year window, you could be part of this massive settlement and eligible to claim your share.
How Much Can You Receive?
The amount of money you can receive under the Visa-Mastercard Class Action Settlement depends on several important factors:
- The number of Visa and Mastercard transactions your business processed during the qualifying years.
- The total number of claims filed by other eligible merchants.
- The percentage of the total settlement fund that corresponds to your share of transaction volume.
Because each business had different transaction levels, there’s no fixed amount. However, preliminary estimates indicate that some merchants could receive refunds of $2,000 or more. Large-volume merchants, such as supermarkets or chain retailers, may even qualify for higher amounts.
The final payout will be calculated once all claims are submitted and verified by the settlement administrator.
How to Check Your Eligibility
Checking whether you qualify for the Visa-Mastercard Class Action Settlement is a simple and straightforward process. Here are two easy methods:
- Check Online:
- Visit the official settlement website: www.paymentcardsettlement.com.
- Enter your business name or Employer Identification Number (EIN) to verify if your business is listed as eligible.
- This is the quickest and safest method to confirm your eligibility.
- Received a Notice by Mail:
- Some businesses have already received official Class Action Notices by mail.
- If you did, you’ll find a Claim Number and a Confirmation Code in your letter.
- Use these details to log in on the settlement website and check your eligibility or file your claim directly.
How to File a Claim
Once you confirm that you qualify, the next step is filing your claim. The Visa-Mastercard Class Action Settlement process allows you to do this in two ways:
- Online Claim Submission: Visit the official website and complete your claim form online.
- Mail Submission: Download the claim form, fill it out, and mail it to the address provided on the site.
When filling out your claim, be ready to provide the following information:
- Your business name and Tax ID (EIN)
- The years of operation during the qualifying period (2004–2019)
- The estimated volume of Visa and Mastercard transactions processed by your business
Make sure your details are accurate, as incomplete or incorrect claims may delay payment.
Important: The deadline for filing a claim is expected around mid-2025, so don’t wait until the last minute. Always verify the final submission date on the official website.
When Will You Receive Your Payment?
Legal settlements often take time to process because they involve large amounts of verification and paperwork. After you’ve submitted your claim under the Visa-Mastercard Class Action Settlement, it will go through several review stages.
If everything is in order and no additional information is required, you may receive your refund by late 2025 or early 2026. The settlement administrators will notify you once your claim has been approved and payment is ready to be issued.
Is There a Fee to Apply?
No. Filing a claim for the Visa-Mastercard Class Action Settlement is completely free. You should never pay anyone to help you submit your claim.
If you come across a website or individual asking for a “processing fee,” “application fee,” or “guaranteed refund service,” avoid them immediately — these are likely scams trying to take advantage of the settlement. Always use the official website for all updates and submissions.
Do You Need a Lawyer?
No, you don’t need to hire a lawyer for this process. The court has already appointed qualified attorneys to represent all Class Members collectively. They are handling the case and ensuring fair distribution of funds.
So, there’s no need to spend money on legal services — your claim will be handled under the guidance of the court and the settlement administrators.
Is the Refund Taxable?
This depends on how your business accounts for income and expenses. In some cases, the amount received under the Visa-Mastercard Class Action Settlement may be treated as compensation for financial losses, which could make it non-taxable.
However, tax situations vary between businesses. It’s best to consult your accountant or tax advisor to understand how to report the refund properly on your business tax filings.
What If You Didn’t Receive a Notice?
Even if you didn’t get a mailed notice, you can still file a claim. As long as your business accepted Visa or Mastercard payments between 2004 and 2019, you remain eligible.
You’ll simply need to provide some form of proof — like old transaction statements, processor reports, or accounting records — showing that your business accepted these payments during the qualifying period. This documentation will help validate your claim.
How to Avoid Scams and Fraud
Because the Visa-Mastercard Class Action Settlement is one of the largest financial settlements in U.S. history, it has also attracted scammers pretending to offer “assistance.” To protect yourself:
- Only use the official website — www.paymentcardsettlement.com.
- Never share personal or business details on unofficial websites.
- Do not send money to anyone claiming to speed up or “guarantee” your refund.
- Report any suspicious activity or fraudulent messages to the settlement administrators immediately.
Staying cautious ensures that your refund remains safe and that your personal information isn’t compromised.
Why the Visa-Mastercard Settlement Matters
The Visa-Mastercard Class Action Settlement is more than just a refund opportunity — it’s a historic step toward fairness in the payment industry. For years, Visa and Mastercard dominated the credit and debit card processing market, allowing them to set high transaction fees that merchants had little choice but to accept.
These excessive fees often cut into the profit margins of small businesses and inflated costs for consumers. The settlement holds these companies accountable and sends a powerful message: no corporation is above fair trade principles.
This legal victory also sets a precedent for future financial cases, ensuring that both merchants and consumers are protected from anti-competitive practices. It’s a long-overdue win for fairness, transparency, and the American small business community.
Conclusion: Don’t Miss Out on Your Share
The Visa-Mastercard Class Action Settlement 2025 marks one of the largest financial settlements in recent history — bringing long-awaited relief to millions of merchants who were unfairly overcharged.
If your business accepted Visa or Mastercard payments between 2004 and 2019, don’t wait. Check your eligibility today, file your claim, and make sure you receive what you’re owed.
There are no fees, no lawyers required, and the process is simple. Just visit the official website and follow the instructions carefully.
This is more than a financial opportunity — it’s about fairness, accountability, and justice for businesses that help power the U.S. economy.
FAQs
Q. What is the Visa-Mastercard Class Action Settlement?
A. It’s a legal settlement where Visa and Mastercard agreed to pay $5.54 billion to merchants for charging unfair transaction fees on card payments.
Q. Who is eligible to receive money?
A. Any U.S. business or merchant that accepted Visa or Mastercard payments between January 1, 2004, and January 25, 2019.
Q. How much money can I receive?
A. The amount varies based on your card transaction volume and total claims filed. Some merchants could receive refunds of $2,000 or more.