Trader Joe's has agreed to a settlement that could put money back in the pockets of some past shoppers. The grocery chain will pay more than 7.4 million dollars to resolve a lawsuit. The case centered on how the company printed its receipts. For eligible customers, the deadline to act is fast approaching.
The lawsuit focused on the information shown on Trader Joe's receipts. According to the reports behind the case, the receipts displayed too many digits from customers' credit and debit cards. That number of digits was more than is normally allowed by law. The practice is what prompted the legal action.
The settlement applies to a specific window of time. Shoppers who used Trader Joe's between March and July of 2019 may be owed money. Those customers fall within the group covered by the agreement. For them, filing a claim is the way to receive a payment.
There is a firm time limit attached to the process. The deadline to file a claim is tomorrow. Customers who believe they qualify need to act quickly to be included. Missing the deadline would mean missing out on any payment.
The amount individuals could receive has been estimated. Payments could average around 100 dollars for some people. The figure gives eligible shoppers a sense of what a successful claim might be worth. The total being distributed is the settlement of more than 7.4 million dollars.
Despite the payout, the company has not conceded fault. Trader Joe's has not admitted any wrongdoing in the matter. In addition, no identity theft has been reported as a result of the receipts. Those points are part of how the outcome has been framed.
Instead, the settlement is presented as a way to move on. The company agreed to it in order to avoid further litigation. That approach is common in cases of this kind, where resolving the dispute can be less costly than a prolonged court fight. For shoppers, the practical takeaway is the looming claim deadline.