What the ATM Settlement Covers

A proposed $167.5 million settlement involving Visa and Mastercard could provide compensation to millions of consumers who paid ATM access fees over an almost 19-year period. The case, Burke v. Visa Inc., concerns withdrawals made at independent ATMs located outside traditional banking institutions.

These machines are commonly found in convenience stores, gas stations, grocery stores, hotels and bars. Unlike bank-operated ATMs, independent operators frequently charge users an additional surcharge or access fee when they withdraw cash.

Why Were ATM Fees Challenged?

The lawsuit alleged that cardholders paid excessive ATM fees because independent ATM operators were restricted from steering customers toward alternative card networks that could have offered lower costs. According to the claims, allowing operators to use competing networks could have created an economic incentive to pass those savings on to consumers through reduced ATM fees.

Visa and Mastercard agreed to settle the case without admitting liability. The settlement also includes separate classes of claimants in California, Illinois, Massachusetts and Michigan.

Who Could Qualify for a Payment?

Eligibility is based on specific ATM transactions. A claimant generally must have used a Visa or Mastercard to withdraw cash from a deposit account at an independent ATM in the United States and paid a surcharge or access fee that was not fully reimbursed by the cardholder’s bank.

The qualifying transaction period runs from October 24, 2007, through August 14, 2026. This means consumers who used independent ATMs during that period may potentially fall within the settlement class, provided their transactions meet the other eligibility requirements.

How Much Could Consumers Receive?

The settlement establishes a $167.5 million fund, but that amount will not be distributed entirely to consumers. Attorneys’ fees and expenses, administrative costs, taxes and other approved expenses will be deducted before payments are calculated.

The amount received by each eligible claimant will therefore depend on the total number of valid claims submitted. The available source does not specify a fixed payment per person, making the eventual payout dependent on participation and the final settlement administration.

Claim Deadline and What Happens Next

Consumers seeking compensation must submit a claim by February 10, 2027. The settlement process also provides an opportunity for eligible individuals to exclude themselves from the agreement or object to its terms.

Payments are expected only after the final court hearing in early 2027. For consumers who believe they may qualify, the key dates are the August 14, 2026 end of the covered transaction period and the February 10, 2027 deadline for filing a claim.