Millions of individuals in the US are yet to learn that Visa and Mastercard may reimburse them up to 2000 dollars. You might have been included in the huge Visa-Mastercard Class Action Settlement 2025, in case you were using a credit or debit card to make any purchases in 2004-2019 this is a legally established class action settlement to compensate the merchants due to paying high swipe fees when processing a card payment.
Let’s take a closer look at what the case is, who can get a refund, how to apply, and whether $2000 is possible for you.
What is this settlement all about?
Visa and Mastercard, two major credit/debit card companies, were accused by merchants in the US of illegally setting high card processing fees and preventing competition.
The case went through years of legal battles and eventually a settlement was reached, creating a settlement fund of about $5.54 billion. The fund is for those merchants (retailers, restaurants, online sellers, etc.) who accepted card payments.
Who can get a refund?
The settlement is only for merchants within the US who accepted payments from customers via Visa or Mastercard between January 1, 2004 and January 19, 2019.
Eligibility criteria:

- You must have done business in the US
- Your store or online platform accepted Visa/Mastercard payments
- You paid the payment processing fees yourself
- You did not opt-out of any settlement claim at that time
Note: Consumers are not eligible for this refund — it is only for merchants, whether they are small shopkeepers or big brands.
How much money can you get?
Not everyone will receive $2000 straight away. This is an estimated amount that depends on the volume of card payments in your business.
The more transactions you have done, the more money you can get.
For example:
- Small merchants can get a few hundred dollars
- Mid-scale stores can get up to $1000–$5000
- And large chains or brands can get up to $10,000+
How to Claim?
The process of filing a Visa-Mastercard settlement claim is simple and online.
Step-by-step process:
- Visit the official website:
- Click on “Submit a Claim”
- You will be asked for your claim ID and PIN.
- If you don’t have an ID/PIN:
- Choose the “File Without ID” option and enter your business information.
- Fill in your information:
- Business name
- Address
- Tax ID or EIN
- Estimated card transaction amount
- Submit claim form and receive confirmation
Note of importance: the deadline is determined as 2025 (further date has not been chosen yet), therefore it is highly important to apply in due time.
At what time will settlement money be obtained?

The process of receiving the payment in such type of a class action settlement is slightly more prolonged.
The lawyers will make sure that all the claims are studied before an evaluation is made on individual claim.
Estimated time:
It could be paid at the end of 2025 or the beginning of 2026
It will be paid either through a direct deposit or check
What if you did not apply earlier?
- If you did not fill out any claim form in 2024 or before, there is nothing to worry about.
- You can still apply:
- Go to the website and select “File Without ID”
- Provide your identity and merchant records
- Wait for claim confirmation
Is there a fee?
No. The entire process is completely free. There are no fees, registration fees or commissions.
If an agency or individual is asking you for a fee in exchange for a claim, it is likely a fraud.
Is it only for the US?
Yes, this settlement is only for US merchants. Businesses from India, Canada or other countries are not eligible.
Conclusion:
This settlement is an opportunity for all merchants who have suffered for years in payment processing fees The $5.54 billion amount is a huge compensation and can be a relief for even small merchants Your application can be completed in a few minutes and you could get hundreds or thousands of dollars back.
FAQs
Q1. Who is eligible for a refund from this settlement?
A. Any U.S.-based business that accepted Visa or Mastercard payments between January 1, 2004, and January 25, 2019, and paid interchange or swipe fees is likely eligible to file a claim for a share of the settlement.
Q2. Can individual consumers apply for the $2000 refund?
A. No, this settlement is not for consumers. It is exclusively for merchants (retailers, restaurants, online sellers, etc.) who accepted Visa or Mastercard payments during the qualifying period.
Q3. Is the $2000 amount guaranteed?
A. No. The “$2000” is an estimated or potential maximum. The exact refund depends on how many businesses apply and the proportion of your transaction volume relative to the total.
Q4. What if I did not receive a Claim ID or PIN?
A. You can still file a claim. On the website, choose the option “File Without ID” and manually enter your business details such as business name, address, and tax ID.
Q5. What documents are required to submit a claim?
A. Generally, you’ll need basic business information and estimates or records of your Visa/Mastercard transaction volume between 2004 and 2019. Some claims may require additional verification.