Settlement explainer · 5 min read
Visa and Mastercard ATM fee settlement: who qualifies and how to claim
If you ever paid an extra fee to pull cash from an ATM that was not run by a bank, you may be part of a $167.5 million settlement with Visa and Mastercard. The case says the card networks' rules kept independent ATM operators from charging lower fees, so people paid more than they should have. Visa and Mastercard deny wrongdoing. Filing takes a few minutes and you do not need receipts to start.
| Settlement fund | $167.5 million (Visa $88.775M, Mastercard $78.725M) |
|---|---|
| Who qualifies | Paid an unreimbursed surcharge at an independent (non-bank) US ATM, Oct 24, 2007 to Aug 14, 2026 |
| Claim deadline | February 10, 2027 (114 days left) |
| Proof to file | None at filing; the administrator may ask for statements later |
| Payout | Pro rata share based on the number of qualifying transactions claimed |
| Opt out or object by | December 11, 2026 |
| Final approval hearing | February 17, 2027 |
| Case | Burke v. Visa Inc., No. 1:11-cv-01882 (D.D.C.) |
| Official site | nonbankatmsurchargesettlement.com |
Who qualifies
You are in the nationwide class if, while in the United States, you were charged a surcharge (also called an access fee) for a cash withdrawal from your deposit account using an ATM or PIN-debit card at an independent ATM, meaning a machine not owned by Visa, Mastercard, or any bank or other financial institution, between October 24, 2007 and August 14, 2026, and your bank did not fully reimburse it. ATMs in US territories count. There are also statewide classes for California, Illinois, Massachusetts, and Michigan.
Not included: credit card transactions, cash advances, and prepaid card transactions. Fees charged at bank-owned ATMs are part of a different case (Mackmin v. Visa), which already had settlements approved in 2022 and 2025. Filing in this case does not affect your rights in that one.
How to file
- Go to the official settlement site and choose File Your Claim. You can also mail the paper claim form, postmarked by February 10, 2027.
- Enter the Notice ID if you got an email notice. If not, file anyway.
- Give your name, mailing address, mobile phone number, and email. Payments are sent by email, so use one you check.
- Answer the two yes or no questions, then estimate how many times you paid an unreimbursed surcharge at an independent ATM from October 24, 2007 to August 14, 2026.
- Sign and submit, then save the confirmation.
Estimate honestly. Your share grows with the number of transactions you claim, but the form is signed under penalty of perjury and the administrator can ask for bank statements or other records to back it up. Old statements can help you count.
How much will it pay?
The fund first covers attorneys' fees and costs, notice and administration costs (up to $3 million), taxes, and service awards. What is left is split pro rata among valid claims based on the number of qualifying transactions, so the official notice says nobody can know the amount in advance. See how much class action settlements pay for context.
When and how you get paid
The court holds the final approval hearing on February 17, 2027. If it approves the deal and nobody appeals, the administrator expects to send payments within six months. You will get an email with digital options such as PayPal or a virtual debit card, and you can ask for a paper check instead. More on timing in when settlement checks arrive.
Watch out for fakes
The administrator is A.B. Data, and the only official site is nonbankatmsurchargesettlement.com. Filing is free and you can do it yourself in a few minutes. See how to spot fake settlement texts.
Listing details: Non-Bank ATM Surcharges settlement page. Source: the official long form notice, claim form, and Important Dates page, checked October 19, 2026.
More banking and credit settlements
- Trans Union: Consumer Reports $100 - $1,000 · by Oct 30
- Equifax: Inquiry Disputes $300 · by Nov 29
- Navy Federal Credit Union: Unauthorized Personal Loan Accounts $250 · by Nov 29
- Equifax: Credit Report Est. $90-$280 · by Dec 28
- Non-Bank ATM Surcharges Varies · by Feb 10
Frequently asked questions
Who qualifies for the Visa and Mastercard ATM fee settlement?
People in the United States who were charged an access fee (surcharge) to withdraw cash from their own deposit account with an ATM or PIN-debit card at an independent ATM in the US or its territories between October 24, 2007 and August 14, 2026, and who were not fully reimbursed by their bank. An independent ATM is one not owned by Visa, Mastercard, or any bank or other financial institution.
Do I need receipts or bank statements?
Not to file. The official claim form says you do not need to provide documentation at this time, but you sign under penalty of perjury and the administrator may later ask for bank statements or other documents.
How much will I get?
Nobody knows yet. Each valid claim gets a pro rata share of the net settlement fund based on the number of qualifying surcharged transactions submitted, so the amount depends on how many transactions everyone claims.
What is the deadline?
Claims must be submitted online, or mailed with a postmark, by February 10, 2027. The deadline to opt out or object is December 11, 2026.
Do credit card cash advances count?
No. The class covers cash withdrawals from a deposit account with an ATM or PIN-debit card. Credit card transactions, cash advances, and prepaid card transactions are not included.
When will payments go out?
The final approval hearing is set for February 17, 2027. If the court approves and there are no appeals, the administrator expects to send payments within six months, by email, with options such as PayPal or a virtual debit card, or a mailed check on request.