Claim Your Refund for Foreign Credit Card Transactions
31 December 2007 by poetloverrebelspy
If you made any foreign credit card transactions between 1996 and 2006, you are likely due a refund from your credit card company. If you travel infrequently, nearly anyone can claim $25; if you charged hotels, plane tickets, cruise tickets, train tickets, souvenirs, meals, anything abroad more than $2500 over the same time frame, you can itemize and receive 1-3% of the total back, depending on your card. Find out how to get your “free” money after the jump.
Here’s the sitch: credit card companies were charging Currency Conversion Fees (CCFs) on foreign transactions unbeknownst to their customers; your ability to claim a refund is a result of a class-action lawsuit. The legalesey website is ccfsettlement.com. You have until May 30, 2008 to claim your refund. Some people have received targeted mailings with the settlement options; if you (like me) didn’t get anything in the mail, you can file online here.
If the end of the year is the time you go through bills and receipts for filing, now is perhaps the perfect opportunity to go through your credit card statements if you plan to itemize by year (Option 3). If you travel rarely, go to the website and choose the $25 payment (Option 1). Remember, this is for anyone who had a Visa (Interlink, Plus), Mastercard (Cirrus, Maestro) or Diners Club Card — including ATM and Debit cards — at any point between 1996 and 2006. Going through my statements took me around two hours and will net me no less than $110. Seriously, go get your money already!
[...] you are likely entitled to some money as a result of a class-action lawsuit. Poetloverrebelspy at Less Than a Shoestring provides basic information and handy links about claiming your refund. For even more details — and [...]
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This sounds great, but do you know if it applies to Canadians? I can’t find that information on their web site. Thank you!
Soletanf, you’ll find the following statement here on the settlement website:
“Any person who held a Visa-, MasterCard- or Diners Club-branded credit, charge or debit/ATM card issued in the United States as of November 8, 2006 is a member of the Settlement Injunctive Class. Those persons who made a foreign transaction on at least one of those cards between February 1, 1996 and November 8, 2006 are members of the Settlement Damages Class. Only members of the Settlement Damages Class may seek refunds by submitting a claim.” If you have a U.S. card and made charges, you are eligible for a refund. I hope this helps.
[...] you’re likely due for a refund of at least $25 from your credit card company? Find out how to Claim Your Refund for Foreign Credit Card Transactions at No Budget [...]
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[...] You could get $25 if you travel abroad during 1996-2006 and use Visa or Mastercard (CCF Settlement) | | For more information, you could visit this site. Apparently there is this class action law suit where credit card companies charge excessively high fee [...]
[...] This is totally legit and the easiest money you’ll earn (back — remember, it was yours in the first place) today. Read all the details about it here. [...]