Class Action Settlements: How to Claim Money From Amazon and Other Big Companies

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What You'll Find in This Guide

See which big-company settlements are open right now and how to file your claim.

When a big company gets sued for overcharging customers, mishandling refunds, or exposing personal data, the case often ends in a settlement. Millions of dollars are set aside for the people affected, but there's a catch: in many cases, you only get paid if you file a claim before the deadline. Every year, a large share of that money goes unclaimed simply because people never hear about it, or assume the process is too complicated to be worth their time.

This guide shows you how these settlements work and where to find the ones you may qualify for. You'll learn:

• Which well-known companies have settlements open right now, including Amazon and the major credit bureaus
• Who qualifies for each one, and the claim deadlines you can't miss
• The difference between automatic payments and settlements that require a claim form
• When you need proof of purchase, and when you don't
• How to spot fake settlement emails and texts designed to steal your information

You'll also find out what happened with some of the biggest recent cases, like the Amazon Prime settlement, and why you may see some famous brands in the headlines even when there's no money to claim yet.

Every settlement listed here links to its official, court-approved website. Filing a claim is always free, and in many cases it takes less than five minutes. There's nothing to buy and no lawyer to hire.

Deadlines are coming up fast, and once a claim period closes, it doesn't reopen.

What Is a Class Action Settlement?

A class action is a lawsuit filed on behalf of a large group of people who were affected in a similar way, for example, customers who were overcharged or whose data was exposed in a breach. Instead of thousands of separate lawsuits, one case represents everyone in the "class."

Most of these cases end in a settlement: the company agrees to pay into a fund without admitting wrongdoing, and a court-appointed settlement administrator handles claims and sends out payments. If you're part of the class, you're entitled to a share, as long as you follow the instructions and meet the deadline.

How Payouts Work

• Automatic payments: sometimes the company already knows who was affected, so payments are sent without a claim form.
• Claim required: in most settlements, you need to submit a short form online before the deadline to get paid.
• Proof vs. no proof: some settlements pay a fixed amount without receipts, and a higher amount if you can document your purchase or loss.
• Pro rata shares: final payments often depend on how many people file. The more claims, the smaller each share; the fewer claims, the bigger it gets.

Payments usually arrive months after the deadline, once the court gives final approval and any appeals are resolved.

Big-Name Settlements Open Right Now

The settlements below were open for claims as of early October 2026. Always confirm the details and deadline on the official settlement website before filing.

Amazon Return Policy Settlement ($309.5 Million)

Amazon agreed to a $309.5 million settlement over claims that it failed to properly refund some customers who returned items, delayed refunds, or recharged customers after a refund. Amazon denies any wrongdoing.

• Who may qualify: people who started a return or refund for a physical product bought on Amazon.com between September 5, 2017 and February 12, 2026 and didn't receive a full, correct refund.
• How it pays: one group receives automatic payments, while another group must submit a claim form with proof of purchase.
• Claim deadline: December 1, 2026.

Equifax Credit Inquiry Dispute Settlement ($30 Million)

Equifax agreed to a $30 million settlement over how it handled disputes about hard inquiries on consumers' credit reports.

• Who may qualify: U.S. residents who disputed hard inquiries on their Equifax credit report during the class periods (the broadest group covers disputes between August 31, 2021 and March 27, 2026).
• Estimated payouts: roughly $100 to $400, depending on your group.
• Claim deadline: November 29, 2026.

TransUnion Bankruptcy Reporting Settlement ($8.31 Million)

TransUnion settled claims that it sold credit reports containing bankruptcy remarks for people who had no matching public bankruptcy record.

• Who may qualify: people who received a notice about reports issued between January 6, 2020 and January 31, 2023.
• How it pays: some class members receive an automatic $100, and can file a claim for an additional estimated payment.
• Claim deadline: October 30, 2026.

Other Settlements Closing Soon

• Flo period tracker app (Google, Flo Health and Flurry), $59.5 million: for U.S. users who entered period or pregnancy data in the Flo app between November 1, 2016 and February 28, 2019. Deadline: October 15, 2026.

What About Amazon Prime, Netflix and Other Famous Cases?

You may have heard about the Amazon Prime settlement with the Federal Trade Commission, worth $2.5 billion in total. Many eligible customers received automatic refunds in late 2025, and the window to file additional claims closed on July 27, 2026. If you filed a claim before then, payments are processed by the settlement administrator.

As for Netflix, there have been lawsuits in the news, but as of early October 2026 there is no open consumer settlement accepting claims. Be careful with any website or message claiming you can "get paid" from a Netflix lawsuit right now.

This is a common pattern: a lawsuit being filed doesn't mean there's money to claim. You can only file once a settlement has been reached and the court has approved the claims process.

How to Find More Settlements You Qualify For

New settlements open every week. Two good places to keep an eye on:

• The FTC's refund page: lists refund programs from Federal Trade Commission cases, along with the administrator for each one.
• Class action news sites: independent sites track open settlements and their deadlines. They're not settlement administrators, so always file through the official site linked in each listing.

How to File a Claim, Step by Step

1. Confirm you qualify by reading the class definition on the official settlement website.
2. Check your email and mail for a settlement notice. It may include a claim ID and PIN that speed up the process.
3. Fill out the claim form online on the official site. It usually takes a few minutes.
4. Upload proof if you have it, such as receipts or order confirmations, especially if it increases your payment.
5. Choose your payment method, such as a check, PayPal, Venmo or a prepaid card, when offered.
6. Save your confirmation and wait for the final approval hearing. Payments typically arrive several months later.

How to Spot Settlement Scams

Scammers know people are searching for settlement money. Watch out for:

• Requests for fees. Legitimate settlements never charge you to file or to receive your payment.
• Requests for your full Social Security number or bank login by email, text or phone.
• Look-alike websites with odd domain names. The official site is listed in court notices and trusted news coverage.
• Pressure to act immediately through unexpected texts with links.

The FTC puts it simply: no one from the FTC will ever ask you to pay to get a refund. If you spot a scam, report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Tips to Get the Most Out of Settlements

• Keep receipts and order history for big purchases. They can unlock higher payouts.
• Don't ignore notice emails from settlement administrators. Check them carefully, then visit the site by typing the address yourself.
• File early. Deadlines are strict and claim portals can get busy near the end.
• Check data breach notices you've received. Many breaches lead to settlements months later.

Final Thoughts

Class action settlements are one of the easiest ways to get money back from big companies, but only if you know where to look and file on time. Start with the open settlements above, then check the FTC refund page and settlement trackers regularly for new ones.

Remember: filing is always free, and the safest path is always the official settlement website. A few minutes today could mean a check in your mailbox later.

FAQ: Class Action Settlements

Do I need a lawyer to file a claim?

No. If you're part of the class, you can file a claim yourself on the official settlement website. The class is already represented by the lawyers who brought the case.

How much money will I get?

It varies. Some settlements pay a fixed amount, while others split the fund among everyone who files. Estimates on settlement sites can change based on the number of claims.

Will filing a claim affect my taxes or credit?

Filing doesn't affect your credit. Most small consumer settlement payments are refunds of money you already paid, but if you're unsure about taxes, check with a tax professional.

What if I miss the deadline?

In most cases, late claims aren't accepted. That's why it's worth checking for open settlements regularly and filing as soon as you find one you qualify for.