I got one of these mailings and I am so glad that others here were able to understand and figure it out. I am also glad that I can do this online.

Jen

Another reason why I appreciate fodorites (love is a bit too strong). As soon as I read the mailing, I got two, I knew to turn here for background.

Healthy mistrust of a gift horse is a good thing.

My husband and I both received our letters last week. I know we have spent a decent amount of money overseas, as we travel overseas approx. 2 times per year, but we didn't want to bother with the actual numbers spent (we've switched credit cards a few times and shred all documents over a year old) so we went with option 2. It took no time at all and if I get any money it will be a bonus. I guess now we just wait and see!

Tracy

<i>Can anyone say whether a Visa/MC card issued by a non-US bank is eligible?</i>

According to the website, the Visa/MC/DC must have been issued in the US:

as to the settlement damages class, all Persons who or which were holders of United States-issued MasterCard- or Visa-branded Credit or Debit Cards or United States-issued Diners Club-branded Credit Cards and made a Foreign Transaction from February 1, 1996 to the date of Preliminary Approval

My husband received a letter, but I did not. Nearly all of the foreign charges we've made have been on my cc account. Three questions, if anyone can help:

1. My card is a Capital One Visa. Has Capital One never charged the extra fee - would that explain why I did not get a letter?

2. How about bank fees for foreign cash withdrawls on a Visa ATM card - those fees have nothing to do with this lawsuit, right?

3. My husband's letter did not identify which credit card he got the letter for. He has had a lot of credit cards over the ten years. Did we just miss that identification or do we have to figure it out?

Thanks

I've had a Capitol One card a long time and I don't believe they have ever had a foreign transaction fee. I don't know if that's the reason you didn't get one -- the letter says VISA debit cards are also part of the lawsuit. I just got mine a couple days ago, later than many other folks. The letter is a form letter, it doesn't say why you got one.

I have had several VISA cards, I suppose that is why, although my latest one (AAA Visa) actually didn't raise their foreign transaction fee until 2007, I believe. However, it always did have a one pct foreign transaction fee, so I guess that is enough. I did have a First USA Visa probably at the beginning of that relevant period, I don't remember. However, I don't think most cards got into that idea of making money off that until after 2000, at least, when a lot of them raised the fees to 3 pct. I know First was one of them.

If you read the form, it doesn't say anywhere that you have to say what cards you have to fill out the forms. At least you don't for options 1 and 2. I don't know how they got names, I guess from all the companies, but it really doesn't matter if you are eligible. The way they are dividing up the money, you can get the min. $25 even if you never used it abroad.

If you only had a Capitol One Visa, I'd forget it. Also, if you have a debit card with a VISA and they did charge you 3 pct BEFORE Nov. 2006, maybe you could fill one out online and submit it. My bank raised my ATM fees to 3 pct for that, also, due to Visa, but they didn't do that until 2007.

After trying to reconstruct my records, I finally decided that the 2nd option was the best based on the number days spent outside the US.

Much to my surprise, I learned that charge card bills were not kept in my house! At one point I used AAA Visa and Bank of America Visa. For cash, I had 3 separate accounts, one of which was closed out a few years ago.

Lacking complete data, I decided that the estimated time overseas was the most painless way to go.

Even with the information I had on hand, 1% of the total was $200.00.

I guess we shall see what we shall see.

<i>The way they are dividing up the money, you can get the min. $25 even if you never used it abroad.</i>

The only people who may submit a claim are people who actually made foreign transactions on a Visa/MC/DC branded card.

You are not a member of the class, and therefore aren't eligible to submit a claim, if you did not have any foreign transactions during the relevant time period. (Not all foreign transactions require foreign travel, but could be purchases/debits made in foreign currency.)

Of course, I'm sure that won't stop people from submitting false claims, but it would be illegal to do so if you aren't a member of the class.

kareng,

I can't answer all of your questions, but I don't think that the letters are tied to one particular card (or cards), as neither of our letters specified which cards either. I think that just about everyone who has ever traveled abroad is receiving these letters.

The letter did state something about debit cards, which we use often, so I'm assuming a bank card would also count.

If you didn't get a letter, hang tight...it may still come to you. A friend of ours, who has only been overseas once, received his letter about 2 weeks before we did.

Tracy

Thanks for the help. We are a family of five and have taken four three-to-four-week trips overseas during the time period of the lawsuit. Even though we travel on the budget side, with five of us it adds up! I'll keep looking for my letter.

We got one of these also - in my husband's name. I've traveled much more than he has. We have cards for the same accounts in each our names.

I'm wondering if I will be able to use Option 2 since the letter is not addressed to me.

The form I got said you were a member of the settlement subjunctive class even if you had never used your card abroad, but I guess you cannot file a claim for damages if you did not use that card abroad. YOu can do other things, but why (like object).

They have a website, and allow you to fill out a form even if you did not get the thing in the mail with a refund ID number. There is an option to do that, so if you know you used your cards abroad and never get a letter, I would go online and do that, sure. I'd wait a while to do that, though, to make sure you don't get a letter. There is plenty of time to file for a refund.

http://www.ccfsettlement.com/faqs/#idQ27

Yes, you might want to wait a little while. I just got mine late last week. I'm going with Option 2.

We got one of these also in DH's name and we plan to go w/ option 2. So, I guess if I understand correctly, we can fill it out for DH because it was sent to him, and then I can submit my days abroad online. Is this right?

According to the FAQ, only the primary account holder may submit a claim, and each person may submit only one claim. So two people can't submit a claim for one card, even if both of their names are on the card.

Not everyone who received the notice is necessarily eligible to submit a claim. The notices went out to anyone who might possibly be part of the class, or at least that was the intention.

RSTravelers, if you look at the claim form you will see a Refund ID number. You need that number to file a claim. Therefore, if you did not receive a letter in your name then I don't think you can't submit a claim.

My husband and I each got one, even though we share a bank account and credit cards. Not sure why or how they choose who gets them, but we each submitted our own claim.

Tracy

My letter referred to the use of an ATM or debit card too-did anyone else see that in addition to the actual use of the VISA card?

Yes. In the &quot;fine print&quot; it says:

&quot;The lawsuit is about the prices that cardholders of Visa and MasterCard credit and debit/ATM cards, and Diners Club credit cards (including charge cards) were charged to make transactions denominated in a foreign currency or with a foreign merchant, including purchases, cash advances, cash withdrawals, and internet transactions. The Visa cards include Visa-Interlink-and Plus branded credit and debit/ATM cards; the MasterCard cards include MasterCard, Cirrus, and Maestro branded credit and debit/ATM cards.&quot;

Once you receive the letter it gives you a number assigned to your name. You can then go online and complete:

1. If you'd like option 1 - $25.

2. Fill in the number of days you feel you were out of the country (option 2).

3. State that you'll be documenting your actual expenses using Option 3.

I did NOT have to give any credit card or social security #'s.

Good luck.

The website clearly says you can submit a claim online without that refund ID. It has a whole section for those who don't have a refund ID in a letter, and they have online forms, which wouldn't be necessary if you could only submit it from one you got in the mail. There is a link entitled &quot;I do not have a Refund ID&quot; on this page
https://www.ccfsettlement.com/claim/

I think you have to give your SSN or credit card number if you do it that way.