Nearly two million Oregon consumers have been opening their mailboxes wondering why they’re receiving checks for $91.94.
The $92 payments are part of the settlement of a class-action lawsuit (Scharfstein v. BP West Coast Products) settled five years ago for $409 million against the company that owns the Arco gas station chain and its am/pm convenience stores.
A Multnomah County jury found the quick-stop outlets overcharged customers because they failed to give appropriate notice of the addition of a 35-cent charge for using debit cards for fuel purchases in violation of Oregon’s Unlawful Trade Practices Act.
BP has maintained that the judgment is unconstitutional, but agreed to settle the case after losing an appeal in state court.
The best news is those receiving checks can expect a second payment for a similar amount at this time next year.
The verdict affects 1.7 million customers who paid with debit cards between Jan. 1, 2011 and Aug. 31, 2013.
Checks began to be mailed July 18 and will continue through Aug. 12, according to Epiq, the legal services firm administering the payments.
Submit a formal address change to:
Scharfstein v. BP West Coast Products LLC, P.O. Box 3266, Portland, OR 97208-3266, or email [email protected].
Basic information about the case can be obtained at at debitcardclassaction.com.
