I’m overwhelmed!!! My inbox is flooded with questions pertaining to the CCF Settlement. I’m sorry to say that I won’t have the time to reply to every single email, but I’m going to try to tackle the big questions in this post. First, I’m starting with a question I had when staring, mouth agape, at an absolutely overflowing inbox:
Why am I getting all these emails!?
The answer, it seems, is because thousands upon thousands of people began receiving letters in the mail offering to let them stake their claim of an almost $300,000,000 class-action settlement. The catch? You have to disclose your credit card number and last four digits of your SSN to a third party “Settlement Administrator” rather than your credit card company. As a result, the biggest question I’m receiving is:
Is this a SCAM?
This question also comes up repeatedly in comments posted over the last few days. The class-action settlement in question is real and has been well documented in the news and on this site. However, I’m not going to begin vouching for strange looking letters people receive in the mail. I’m not a lawyer or financial adviser so I’m also not giving ANY legal advice. Whether you should object, opt-out or file a claim is up to you. I will say that from the emails I’ve gotten there sounds like there is some variation between the forms that people have been receiving in the mail. If anyone wants to scan and email me the forms they’ve received, I will have a look at them and post any differences found on the forms to this site. Email documents to: ccfscam@travelfinances.com. (Do not send me any forms with personal information included or I will discontinue this email address). You can also compare the forms you’ve received to the forms found at ccfsettlement.com or in this PDF.
**UPDATE** See this post to read about the types of forms people emailed me…
December 5, 2007 
Comments (22)
Does the fact that this looks like a scam mean that the lawsuit is less likely to go through? I mean shouldn’t they have to do a better job sending out papers that look legitimate?
I don’t expect you to answer these questions, but they seem like problems to me.
I got my letter today–it looks completely fake. The outside of the envelope is printed “US District Court Approved Refund Notice” with my name and address sprayed on. Inside are three forms–Green, for $25, asks only for my name and address. Blue, for a 1% of total purchases refund, asks me for my name, address, # of days outside of the US in the past 10 years, and reasons for travel. Red, the scariest, is intended for corporate card refunds. It asks for the card numbers, account numbers, bank name, and total annual amount spent abroad over the past 10 years.
Is this from Homeland Security? What is this? Why does everyone seem to think it’s real? I would never mail this info–or email it–to anyone without soliciting them myself.
found at the Radio Iowa News website:
Radio Iowa News
Credit card refund offer not a scam in this case
Wednesday, December 5, 2007, 2:50 PM
By Matt Kelley
Thousands of Iowans got notices in the mail this week telling them they’re eligible for cash refunds from a lawsuit — and many are wondering if it’s a scam. Consumer protection experts always warn us, if it looks to good to be true, it’s likely a rip-off, but not this mailing from the U.S. District Court in Philadelphia.
It offers refunds of at least $25 each as the result of a class-action lawsuit involving fees charged by several credit card companies. The total proposed settlement is for 336-million dollars. Bob Brammer, spokesman for the Iowa Attorney General’s office, says, “We’re getting lots and lots of calls asking if this is a scam, trying to get your personal information, but no, it’s not.”
Brammer says in this case, the mailing is legit. “It’s a class-action notice to people that they can either apply for a refund in a certain case, and one of the options is a quote ‘easy refund’ of 25 bucks, or there’s a couple other options, but also, as in most class actions, people can opt out and pursue their own litigation, if they want to do that, “Brammer explains, “that’s pretty typical of class action (cases) but it is not a scam.”
Brammer applauds Iowans for being skeptical and calling about the notice. He says in many instances, such notices that come through the mail are on the up-and-up, while he says Iowans should steer clear of others. “Where we really caution people is if you get some kind of notice on your e-mail, over the Internet, that you can collect this refund or prize and all you have to do is give some of your financial information. We call that ‘phishing,’ they’re fishing for your personal financial information. Be extremely skeptical and don’t provide any of that.”
For more information about this latest, legitimate case, see the website: http://www.ccfsettlement.com.
Are you people goofy? this is a ligit letter and offer. The settlement is real. obviously if the $25 option does not request more that your name and address (the info they already have about you), then you have nothing to lose. They only want your credit card #s if it is a corporate acct. If you read the instructions, the settlement is an easy $25 refund or is more depending on how many days you spent out of the country, or depending on how much you spent. You will also notice that it includes info about the attorneys involved, and there is an address where they can be reached. There are also websites and phone numbers to follow up. All located on the forms you received, and now question.
I mean, if you have doubts, there are ways to check this out without getting yourself all hot. For example, check the return address. Is it actually the courthouse address? (mapquest it if you have to).
Seeing that so many people are getting these, don’t you think it would be on the news if it were a scam?
People always jump to conclusions.
Mapquest check out is a great idea EXCEPT return address is a PO Box number POB 290 Phil PA 19105-0290
I just ran a zip code check 19105 which is for Norwood PA (way out past the airport) also find it peculiar that “Do Not Contact cort, defendant or bank” on bottom of first page.
Why think it’s a scam? I did get the notice, and I’m racking my brain trying to think of when I used a credit card out of the country. In the time stated on this form, I know I went up into Canada twice for day trips when some relatives were over from England in 1998 and 1999, but usually I take cash, so I assume I must have use a CC but to remember something that trivial from almost ten years ago it difficult at best. Obviously my name is on the list for some reason, but I’d feel much better if I could really remember details.
I came to this site because I too was wondering about the possibility of this being a scam. I figured I’d fill out the form on-line, save myself a stamp and an envelope, but the web site version wanted the last four digits of my SS# and the credit card account number. Even if I were inclined to give the cc#, I have no idea which card (credit or ATM) I might have used. It is very strange that they would not provide that info in the mailing (obviously my information came from somewhere, so it’s probably in a database that they have).
Solution? Use the easy refund form which merely asks for the date and my signature. As someone said above, they already have my name and address, what good is my signature going to do? (And I can’t imagine that I’m actually entitled to $25, let alone a larger sum. Free money, I’ll take it.)
I’m wondering if I sign my name and send it in, will Visa or Mastercard double my interest rates or penalize me in any way?
Went to the website and entered my ID #. When I clicked submit it had my name,address etc. already there. Also called the 800 # and it outlined all options available to you.
THIS EMAIL IS DIRECT FROM THE US DISTRICT COUT IN PHILADELPHIA
John_Zingo@paed.uscourts.gov
Date: Mon, 10 Dec 2007 12:35:35 -0500
This is a valid case out of the Southern District of NY
a Philadelphia firm was appointed to make the distribution
John Zingo
Financial Manager
USDC, ED of PA
267-299-7106
It never asked me for my ss or credit card number.
It only asks for cc # if corporate.
I snoped this too and as Bruce and John above said, it is legit.
I wanted to share what I have done with this suit. I called the phone # on the back of my 2 credit cards, asked for back statements for the CCF foreign transaction fees settlement. In both cases I was asked how far back I wanted to go. In one case my card said Member Since 04, so I did 04; the other was much older so I just went back to 2001 (I’ve read elsewhere that’s often how far back electronic records go).
One bank asked to confirm mailing address, the other was happy with what they had. It was very painless, took about 5 minutes in each case, as the form they have to fill out to request the records seems to be one year at a time. They said statements would arrive in the mail in 7-10 business days. Once I get the statements I’ll see whether itemizing is worthwhile (likely for me).
It’s legitimate, read it from reputable sources:
They all mention CCFSettlement.
If 2.5 million people call the attorneys to verbally confirm, the law firm’s billable hours are going to eat away nearly all the settlement funds, and consumers will receive next to nothing.
The lawyers get 100% reimbursement (or 150%!) and we will get partial refunds. No wonder everyone hates lawyers.
OK, so I’m one of those people who lived abroad and got royally screwed by MasterCard for years and years. Just give me my $25 and let me get on with my life.
I am really interested how this issue is going to be turned out. Moreover, I hope to get an answer to the question soon…
I have been trying to find out if my credit union ATM card usage overseas is eligible for the refund. I learned that VISA or Mastercard handle the actual conversion transactions, although they have no logo on the card itself. Does “branded” mean the card must have a Visa/Mastercard logo on the card?
Would appreciate some clarification on this.
Oops — I just answered my own question! The CCF settlement website’s FAQs included one which states that “Mastercard-branded” cards include CIRRUS (which appears on the reverse of my credit union card). (I thought I had read all the FAQ’s before, but perhaps not carefully enough.)
The deadline is next month, so maybe this will help someone else.
This is, without a doubt, the sloppiest, most unprofessional organization encountered in years, i.e., the United States District Court, for NOT considering that millions of people might consider this entire situation a scam. Directons by the U.S. District court adminstrators for providing bank names, c.card numbers, account numbers WITH the option of doing so onlineshould be considered a crim in itslef. Everyone (if legitimite) who had/has anything to do with the mailing of ccf letters should be tried and found guilty of assisting in possible I.D. theft. I stand to lose 3 or 4,000.00 from option 3….but….I have thrown it all in the garbage can. Enough doubt and time consumed thinking of the entire c. card situation.
I’m a little confused…
Who is eligible for this refund? Anyone with a credit card?
I just went to snope.com, They researched this and state that it is a true lawsuit.
Juniper card services, just like all the rest jacked my interest up to beat the deadline for new legislation. I’ve never missed a payment in two years. I mailed the last payment five days before it was due but Juniper said it was late and has now Jacked my interest to 29%. They said my payment was due 11-3-09 and they recieved it on 11-5-09. One problem, thier automated service says they recieved it on 10-30-09. This company is run by a bunch of thieves and rip offs. They are what’s wrong with this country and the economey. They are not americans, they are tratiors and scum. Someone needs to organize a revolt against these dirt bags.