What You Need to Know About the Second Facebook Settlement Payment
What the second Facebook settlement payment is and who might receive it
Facebook (now Meta) settled a lawsuit over privacy violations in 2020 for $5 billion. A second settlement followed in 2021 for $100 million, focused on a different set of claims. Money from both settlements has been distributed to people who had Facebook accounts during specific time periods and were affected by the practices described in each case. The second settlement specifically addressed claims about how Facebook handled user data and privacy.
If you had a Facebook account during the relevant time window for the second settlement, you may have already received a payment, or payments may still be going out depending on when claims were filed and processed. The settlement administrator handles all payments, not Facebook itself. Payments typically arrive by check or direct deposit, depending on how you provided your banking information when you filed a claim.
Unlike some settlements that require you to take action to receive money, this one required you to submit a claim form during an open claims period. If you did not file during that window, the deadline has passed and you cannot receive a payment from this particular settlement.
Key Takeaways
- The second Facebook settlement paid out money to account holders who filed claims during the open period; the deadline to file has closed.
- Payments were sent by check or direct deposit based on the contact information you provided when you submitted your claim form.
- The settlement administrator, not Facebook, manages all payments and can tell you the status of your claim if you have questions.
- If you received a settlement check and have not cashed it, most checks expire after 180 days, so contact the administrator if yours is old.
How to check if you received a payment or find out the status of your claim
The settlement administrator for the Facebook settlements is Rust Consulting. You can contact them to ask whether a payment was sent to you, when it was sent, and how much it was for. They maintain records of all claims filed and all payments issued.
To reach Rust Consulting, visit the settlement website or call the claims line. Have your name, email address, and the phone number you used when you filed your claim ready. They can tell you immediately whether your claim was processed and whether a payment was mailed or deposited. If a check was sent to an old address, they may be able to reissue it.
If you received a check in the mail and are unsure whether it is from this settlement, look at the check itself. It will show the name of the settlement administrator and may reference "Facebook" or "Meta" in the memo line. You can also call Rust Consulting with the check amount and date to confirm it is from the settlement.
What to do if you received a check but have not cashed it
Settlement checks typically expire 180 days after they are issued. If your check is older than six months, it may no longer be valid at your bank. Do not throw it away; instead, contact Rust Consulting and ask them to issue a replacement check or arrange a direct deposit payment instead.
When you call, have the original check in front of you if possible. Provide the check number, the amount, and the date it was issued. Rust Consulting can verify that the check belongs to you and arrange for a new one to be sent or for the money to be deposited directly into your bank account. This process usually takes two to four weeks.
What happens if you moved or your contact information changed
If you moved after filing your claim, a settlement check may have been sent to an old address. The post office may have forwarded it, or it may have been returned to Rust Consulting. Either way, contact the settlement administrator with your current address and ask them to reissue the payment.
Rust Consulting keeps records of all addresses used during the claims process. If your check was returned as undeliverable, they will have a note in your file. Provide them with your updated address, phone number, and email, and they can send a new check or set up a direct deposit. You will not lose the money because you moved; you just need to update your information with them.
Understanding the difference between the first and second Facebook settlements
Facebook faced two separate lawsuits and reached two separate settlements. The first settlement was for $5 billion and addressed claims about privacy practices and how user data was shared. The second settlement was for $100 million and addressed a different set of claims, also related to privacy and data handling but with a different legal focus.
Both settlements required people to file claims during open claims periods. Both have now closed their claims windows. If you filed a claim for one settlement, that does not automatically mean you filed for the other. If you are unsure which settlement you received money from, or whether you filed for both, Rust Consulting can tell you which claims are on file under your name.
What to do if you never received a payment and believe you should have
If you had a Facebook account during the relevant time period but never received a settlement payment, the most likely reason is that you did not file a claim during the open claims window. The deadline to file has passed for both settlements, and new claims are no longer being accepted.
Contact Rust Consulting to confirm whether a claim was ever filed under your name. Provide your full name, email address, and phone number. If no claim is on file, you cannot file one now. If a claim was filed but you never received payment, Rust Consulting can investigate what happened and may be able to locate or reissue your payment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still file a claim for the second Facebook settlement?
No. The claims period for the second settlement has closed. You had to submit your claim form during the open window, which has now ended. If you did not file during that time, you cannot receive a payment from this settlement.
How much money did people typically receive from the second settlement?
The total settlement was $100 million, divided among all people who filed valid claims. The amount each person received depended on how many claims were filed. Individual payments ranged from tens to hundreds of dollars, but the exact amount varied based on the total number of claimants.
What if I received a payment but I do not think I should have?
Contact Rust Consulting to ask why a payment was issued to you. They can explain which claim it was based on and what time period it covered. If you believe the payment was issued in error, they can investigate and may be able to reverse it if you return the funds.
Do I have to pay taxes on the settlement payment I received?
Settlement payments may be taxable depending on what they compensate for and your personal tax situation. Consult a tax professional or your accountant about whether you need to report the settlement payment on your tax return. Rust Consulting can provide documentation of the payment if you need it for tax purposes.
What if my check was lost in the mail?
Contact Rust Consulting and report that you never received your check. Provide them with the address where it was supposed to be sent. They can check their records to see if the check was delivered or returned, and they can issue a replacement check or arrange a direct deposit payment instead.