$167.5 Million Visa, Mastercard Settlement Could Refund Unpaid ATM Fees

Visa and Mastercard have agreed to a $167.5 million settlement that could compensate consumers who paid unreimbursed fees to withdraw cash from independent ATMs over nearly 19 years.

The settlement, which covers withdrawals made between October 24, 2007, and August 14, 2026, requires consumers to submit valid claims by February 10, 2027. The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia will hold a final fairness hearing on February 17.

Plaintiffs in the lawsuit allege that Visa and Mastercard imposed network rules preventing independent ATM operators from charging lower access fees when cheaper competing networks could process transactions. This restriction, they claim, caused customers to pay higher surcharges.

Visa denies wrongdoing, but if approved by the court, eligible claimants will divide a remaining fund proportionally after court-approved attorneys' fees and expenses are deducted. There is no predetermined individual payout. Payments will be made through digital-payment options such as PayPal or a virtual debit card, with claimants also having the option to request a paper check.