The deadline to file a claim for the money in Trader Joe’s $7.4 million class-action settlement is just a month away.
Some Trader Joe’s customers may be eligible for payments from the settlement the grocery chain agreed to earlier this year. It resolves a class-action lawsuit filed in 2019 that alleged Trader Joe’s violated the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACTA) at some of its stores.
The plaintiff, Brian Keim, alleged that Trader Joe’s left some customers vulnerable to identity theft because some stores printed transaction receipts that included the first six and last four digits of customers’ credit or debit card numbers, according to the filing.
Trader Joe’s denied the lawsuit’s allegations and any wrongdoing, but agreed to settle the case to avoid further litigation. According to the court notice, no customers have reported identity theft based on the allegations made in the lawsuit.
Here’s what you need to know about the settlement, including who is eligible for the payment.
What is the Trader Joe’s class action settlement about?
In July 2019, Keem made a purchase at a Trader Joe’s store in Florida using her debit card. According to the complaint, he alleged that he was given a receipt containing the first six and last four digits of his debit card, putting him at risk of identity theft.
Under FACTA, businesses are prohibited from printing more than the last five digits of a customer’s credit or debit card on receipts to prevent identity theft.
Trader Joe’s said in the settlement notice that not all stores print receipts displaying the first six and last four digits of the card number. In the stores where this happened, only a small number of transactions involved these types of receipts.
Although both parties have agreed to the settlement, it is yet to be approved by the court. A hearing is scheduled for August.
Who is eligible for money in Trader Joe’s settlement?
Only certain Trader Joe’s customers are eligible for a portion of the settlement.
The settlement category only includes customers who made a purchase at a Trader Joe’s store using their credit or debit card between March 5, 2019, and July 19, 2019, and received a receipt that displayed the first six and last four digits of the card number, according to the settlement website.
Trader Joe’s customers who are unsure whether they are included in the settlement class can visit the settlement website for more information, call the settlement hotline at 1-888-444-7415 or write to the claims administrator at the following address:
Keem vs. Trader Joe’s Settlement Administrator P.O. Box 301134Los Angeles, CA 90030-1134
How much money can you get from Trader Joe’s Settlement?
Every eligible claimant will receive a portion of the settlement fund. The amount will depend on the number of valid claims submitted and the amount remaining in the fund after distribution of portions to pay attorneys, expenses, and other fees.
According to the settlement website, the plaintiffs estimate that each eligible claimant will receive $102.45 from the settlement.
Barring any appeals, checks will be dispatched within 10 business days of final approval of settlement.
How to File a Trader Joe’s Settlement Claim
Trader Joe’s customers eligible for money from the settlement can submit claims until June 9.
Claims can be submitted through the form on the settlement website.
Customers who have Class ID Number can also submit their settlement forms by mail at the address mentioned above.
Melina Khan is USA TODAY’s national trends reporter.