LensCrafters is giving customers one-time payments from $39 million settlement – but three criteria must be met

LENSCRAFTERS agreed to a $39 million settlement to resolve a class action lawsuit regarding deceptive advertising.

The settlement offers direct payments to consumers who claimed they fell victim to false advertising.

The lawsuit claimed that LensCrafters made misleading statements about the AccuFit Digital System.

LensCrafters said its system was accurate "down to a tenth of a millimeter"—five times more accurate than other systems.

However, the plaintiffs argued that the retailer never updated its manufacturing process to make glasses to a 0.1-millimeter specification.

The company denied these accusations but agreed to the multimillion-dollar settlement to resolve the lawsuit.

The final approval hearing was on February 26, but the court has not yet entered a final approval order.

Consumers will only have 30 days after the final approval order is entered to file a claim, according to the settlement website.

FILING A CLAIM

Eligible customers should have received an email or notice in the mail from Kroll Settlement Administration LLC.

Emails came with the subject line "Ariza v. Luxottica Retail."

EssilorLuxottica is a company that manufactures lenses and owns an extensive portfolio of eyeglass brands sold at LensCrafters.

Eligible candidates include:

• US residents
• Bought prescription glasses after being fitted with AccuFit
• Purchased them between September 5, 2013, and September 20, 2023

Claimants must have receipts that show which prescription glasses they bought, the date they were bought, and at which location.

DATA BREACH

Americans may qualify for a payment stemming from a data breach settlement.

Several Social Security numbers were reportedly compromised after a commercial printing company faced a security attack.

What's a class-action settlement?

Class action lawsuits offer groups of people, or 'classes,' a way to band together in court.

These suits are often brought by one or a few people who allege a company or other entity has wronged a large group of people.

When a suit becomes a class action, it extends to all "class members," or people who may have similar complaints to those who filed the suit.

Companies often settle class actions - offering payment to class members who typically waive their right to pursue further legal action by accepting money.

These payout agreements frequently include statements by the defendant denying wrongdoing. Companies tend to settle class actions to avoid the costs of further litigation.

Pollution, discrimination, or false advertising are a few examples of what can land a class action on a company's doorstep.

Hackers hit Newcourse Communications in 2022, leading consumers to file a lawsuit claiming the company could have done more to protect them.

The suit also accused Newcourse Communications of taking too long to inform its customers about the breach.

The company agreed to pay $600,000 to affected customers but denied any wrongdoing.

Payment to class members will vary. Claimants could get up to $500 for ordinary breach-related expenses and up to five hours of lost time compromised at $20 per hour.

Those who were theft victims due to the breach can claim up to $4,000.

The final day to file a claim is August 24.

Bank of America is paying affected customers $21 million after a similar settlement.

Costco shoppers can get a payment from a $3.875 settlement.