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Is that Class Action Suit Notification You Received Real or a Scam?

A class action lawsuit is a type of legal action when a large group of individuals (usually 40+, but can run into the millions) have all suffered a similar loss caused by the negligence of a company. Some recent class action suits have occurred due to privacy breaches, faulty products, and false advertising. This type of suit consolidates thousands of smaller lawsuits into one large suit, which saves individuals time and expense as well as ensures all the plaintiffs receive a consistent outcome. Typically, attorneys for the plaintiffs will attempt to notify everyone that may have been impacted by the company’s negligence that they can take part in the suit and receive a portion of the settlement with the company. The attorneys can notify consumers via advertising, postal mail, email, or social media. However, recently, scammers have been sending fake settlement notices with the intent to defraud consumers and steal their identities. How can you tell if a settlement notice you received is real or a scam?

• Run an internet search on the name of the company and “class action settlement” to see if any reputable news outlets have reported about the settlement. If the company in question is a large corporation, there are usually news stories about the settlement.

• Legitimate settlement notices all have websites detailing the settlements and your rights. While you are checking for news stories, see if the website for the settlement comes up as well. The website should contain very specific details about the settlement, your rights, and the timeline. The website should be written in an informational/neutral tone to inform you of your rights; it should not be encouraging you to participate. Typically, you will need to provide your name, address, and contact information to receive your portion of the settlement. However, you should not provide any bank information, credit card numbers, or social security numbers. If the website asks for this information, this is a scam. Similarly, you should not have to provide any money to them upfront; this also is a sign of a scam.

• If you are notified about the settlement by email or social media, never click on any links or scan any QR codes; this could put your device at risk for a virus if this is a scam.

• Payouts for most people in a class action lawsuit are usually very small – typically less than $50. If the settlement notice is promising you a large payout, that is a clear sign it is a scam.

Participating in a class action lawsuit can give you a small amount of justice for the company’s negligence. ECanter Lawyers is a South Florida law firm dedicated to fighting for the rights of consumers who have been harmed by someone else’s negligence. Contact ECanter Lawyers for a free, no-obligation case consultation if you have been injured to learn your rights.

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When you are dealing with the chaos and pain of accidents and personal injuries, the last thing you need is technical, confusing legal language.  ECanter Lawyers breaks down the complexities and provides clear, informative answers so that you understand your legal options. 

For a quarter of a century, ECanter Lawyers has remained committed to honest, straightforward answers.  Named one of AVVO’s Clients’ Choice, ECanter Lawyers has helped clients receive multi-million-dollar verdicts, and millions of dollars in settlements.  ECanter Lawyers specializes in personal injury, motor vehicle accidents, medical malpractice, premises and product liability, and healthcare law.

With offices conveniently located throughout South Florida and 24/7 services, ECanter Lawyers personal injury law firm offers you the personalized attention that you need in order to maximize your compensation.