Visa and Mastercard to Pay $167.5 Million in ATM Fee Lawsuit
Users who paid surcharges at independent ATMs between 2007 and 2026 may be eligible for a payout.
Visa and Mastercard have agreed to a combined $167.5 million settlement to resolve claims that they charged excessive access fees for cash withdrawals at independent ATMs. The settlement aims to compensate users who paid these surcharges at ATMs not affiliated with their own banks.
The lawsuit alleges that the operating rules of Visa and Mastercard constitute price fixing, leading cardholders to pay higher access fees than they should have, which violates federal and state antitrust laws. While both companies deny any wrongdoing, they have agreed to the settlement to resolve the case.
Under the terms of the settlement, Visa will pay $88,775,000 and Mastercard will pay $78,725,000. Eligible individuals who incurred an access fee for a cash withdrawal at an independent ATM between October 24, 2007, and August 14, 2026, and were not fully reimbursed by their bank, can file a claim. Separate statewide classes are included for individuals in California, Illinois, Massachusetts, and Michigan.
To qualify for a payout, claimants must submit proof of the qualifying transactions, such as bank statements or receipts. Claims can be filed online or by mail by the deadline of February 10, 2027. A court hearing to approve the settlement is scheduled for February 17, 2027. If approved, payments are expected to be distributed digitally within six months of the approval.