The Cash App Settlement is making headlines, and if you live in Washington and ever got an unwanted Cash App referral text, you might be in for a payout of up to $147. That is not a random amount either. It comes from a real class action lawsuit that has now reached a $12.5 million agreement. This whole case started with users being spammed with referral messages they never signed up for, and now the company behind Cash App is paying for it.
If you are someone who received these texts between late 2019 and now, you may be eligible for compensation under the Cash App Settlement. This article breaks down exactly what happened, why it matters, how much you could receive, and how to file your claim. We are keeping it simple, clear, and straight to the point.
What is the Cash App Settlement and Who Should Care?
At the center of this case is Cash App’s referral feature. When a user invited friends to sign up, the system would sometimes send messages to people without any permission. This was not just annoying, it also violated Washington’s privacy laws. Thousands of users reported getting spammed even if they never touched the app. That led to a lawsuit, which Block Inc. (Cash App’s parent company) decided to settle instead of going to trial.
So what does this mean for you? If you had a Washington-based mobile number and received those unwanted messages any time after November 14, 2019, you could qualify for a payout. The Cash App Settlement is more than just money. It is a strong reminder to tech companies that user consent is not optional, especially when it comes to digital communication.
Overview Table: Cash App Settlement at a Glance
Category | Details |
Settlement Name | Cash App Settlement |
Company Involved | Block Inc. (Cash App’s parent company) |
Total Settlement Fund | 12.5 million US dollars |
Individual Payment Range | Estimated between 88 dollars to 147 dollars |
Eligibility Start Date | November 14, 2019 |
Location Requirement | Washington State mobile number |
Text Type | Unsolicited Cash App referral or promotional messages |
Consent Needed | Users must not have given consent |
Payout Options | Check, PayPal, Venmo, or eBay deposit |
Claim Deadline | To be announced |
Case and Lawsuit Details
This all began when a Washington resident, Kimberly Bottoms, filed a lawsuit against Cash App for sending unwanted messages through its referral feature. The messages were supposed to be sent by users to invite friends, but the system ended up accessing entire contact lists and sending texts to people who had never used Cash App.
The lawsuit claimed that this behavior violated the Washington Consumer Protection Act and the Washington Consumer Electronic Mail Act. Court documents estimate that nearly two million Washington phone numbers might have been affected. While Block Inc. has not admitted any wrongdoing, it agreed to settle to avoid dragging things out in court. That settlement has now turned into real money that is available for qualifying users.
Compensation Amount and Eligibility
If you received one or more of these texts between November 14, 2019, and the date of final approval, and you had a Washington mobile number at that time, you may be eligible. You also must not have consented to receive promotional messages from Cash App.
The estimated payment for eligible individuals ranges from 88 to 147 dollars, depending on how many people file valid claims. The fewer the number of claimants, the higher the possible payout. The Cash App Settlement includes both legal costs and individual payments, so actual payouts will come from what remains after the court deducts expenses.
How are payments calculated?
Each person who files a valid claim will get a share of the 12.5 million dollar fund. But there is a catch. The total number of claims will influence the final amount each individual receives. Administrative fees and legal expenses will also be deducted before the money is distributed. That is why the payment is not a fixed number but instead estimated between 88 dollars and 147 dollars.
If fewer people file, your share could be on the higher end. It is a good reason to act fast and file your claim once the website is live. This kind of Cash App Settlement shows how collective legal action can result in actual compensation for users.
Claims Processing and Distribution
People eligible for the settlement will be notified by email, direct mail, or digital ads targeted to Washington users. Once notified, you can visit the official settlement website to submit your claim.
To make things easier, the process includes:
- Entering your contact information and phone number
- Providing proof of the message, if you have it
- Choosing your payment method: check, PayPal, Venmo, or eBay deposit
- Submitting the claim before the deadline
Once all claims are reviewed and the court gives final approval, payments will be distributed accordingly. The team managing the Cash App Settlement will send out payments either electronically or by mail, depending on the option you select.
How to file a claim
Filing a claim is not complicated. Here is a quick step-by-step process for anyone who qualifies:
- Visit the official Cash App settlement website (link will be shared once live).
- Enter your full name, address, and the Washington-based phone number that received the text.
- If possible, provide a screenshot or record of the message.
- Select your preferred method of payment.
- Submit the claim before the deadline.
You do not need a lawyer or to pay any fees to file a claim. It is a simple, direct process designed to make sure every eligible person can benefit from the Cash App Settlement
Block Inc. and Legal Challenges
This is not the first time Block Inc. has faced legal scrutiny. Apart from the Cash App Settlement, the company has had other run-ins with regulators and legal bodies:
- Data Breach Settlement: Block settled another lawsuit by paying 15 million dollars after a breach exposed customer information.
- CFPB Fine: The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau fined Block Inc. 175 million dollars for mishandling customer complaints and failing to prevent fraud.
- Increased Surveillance: Regulators are now paying closer attention to how companies like Cash App handle user data and digital communication.
These issues show that companies cannot ignore privacy laws, and the Cash App Settlement is a clear example of what happens when user trust is violated.
The Significance of This Settlement
The Cash App spam text case is more than just a legal win. It sends a powerful message about user rights in the digital space. Here is why it matters:
- It reinforces the need for consent in digital communication
- It puts pressure on tech companies to be transparent with how they use user data
- It gives power back to consumers by showing that spam and data misuse can have legal consequences
The Cash App Settlement is a reminder that even small, unwanted texts can lead to big legal changes.
FAQs
Q1. Who qualifies for the Cash App Settlement?
Anyone who received unwanted referral texts from Cash App after November 14, 2019, using a Washington mobile number without providing consent.
Q2. How much can I receive from this settlement?
Payments are expected to range from 88 dollars to 147 dollars per person, depending on how many valid claims are filed.
Q3. How do I file a claim for the Cash App Settlement?
You can file a claim through the official settlement website once it goes live. You will need to submit basic contact information and choose your payout method.
Q4. What if I do not have proof of the message?
You may still qualify. The claim administrators will verify your phone number to confirm if it was affected.
Q5. When will payments be sent out?
Payments will be sent out after all claims are reviewed and the court officially approves the settlement. This date is still to be announced.