Trader Joe's Shoppers Can Get a Piece of a New $7.4M Settlement: See Whether You're Owed Money
If you used a credit or debit card at Trader Joe’s in early 2019, you might be entitled to a portion of a multi-million-dollar class-action lawsuit settlement, which you can then use to buy more of those steamed pork-and-ginger soup dumplings, that butternut squash mac and cheese, and those chili-and-lime rolled corn tortilla chips that you love so much.
The suit, Keim v. Trader Joe’s Company, alleged that the grocery store chain mishandled customer credit card data, and while the company vigorously denies wrongdoing, it settled the case for $7.4 million. The lawyers who won the case will take nearly $2.5 million in attorneys’ fees and the primary plaintiff will get $10,000.
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The remainder will be divided pro rata among those who submit valid claims. Here’s how to know if you qualify to cash in.
No Harm, but Fault, Nonetheless
The plaintiff, a Trader Joe’s shopper named Brian Keim, alleged that stores printed 10 digits of customers’ card numbers on store receipts, the first six and last four. It did not print the middle digits, expiration dates, or cardholder names, addresses, or other identifying information.
Not all stores made the error and it was only a small minority of transactions in those that did. Additionally, there have been no known instances of identity theft related to the case, but that doesn’t matter. Identity theft is not required to prove a Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACTA) claim.
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Are You Entitled to a Portion of the Funds?
The receipt errors occurred between March 5, 2019, and July 19, 2019. If you believe you have a valid claim to a portion of the settlement funds, you have four options.
Submit a Claim Form
You must submit a valid claim form by June 9 to receive your share of the settlement. To do so, visit the Keim v. Trader Joe’s Company website and click the “File Claim” button at the top right of the page. Alternatively, you can mail a claim form to Keim v. Trader Joe’s Settlement Administrator, P.O. Box 301134, Los Angeles, CA 90030-1134, or call (888) 444-7415.
Either way, by accepting a payment, you forfeit your right to sue Trader Joe’s independently.
Opt Out of the Settlement
If you wish to sue Trader Joe’s independently, your only option is to exclude yourself from the lawsuit and refuse payment. The deadline for opting out is also June 9.
Object to the Settlement
If you believe that any aspect of the settlement is unfair, you may write to the court by June 9 to object. You must still file a claim if you wish to object and claim your share, which you can do, but if you only file an objection, you will not receive your portion of the funds.
Do Nothing
You don’t have to take any action. Those who do nothing will not receive any portion of the funds but will retain their right to file their own claim against Trader Joe’s.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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