Red flags
- Any upfront fee. The FTC warns that refund and recovery scammers ask you to pay first, calling it a "retainer fee," "processing fee," "administrative charge," or "tax." Its advice: never pay upfront for a refund or help getting one (FTC).
- Unusual payment methods. The FTC says only scammers insist on payment by cash, gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or a payment app (FTC).
- Pressure and secrecy. Real deadlines are published on the official site and in the court-approved notice; nobody needs you to act within the hour.
- Requests for sensitive data that don't fit the claim. For its own refund programs, the FTC says it never requires upfront fees or asks for sensitive information like your Social Security number or bank account information (FTC). Private settlements may ask for payment details to send you money, so file only on the official site.
How to check a notice is real
- Look up the case name and court shown on the notice. Official settlement websites list the case name, case number, court, administrator, and court documents.
- Type the official web address yourself instead of clicking a link in an unexpected email or text.
- Use contact details from the official site, not from the message, if you want to confirm.
- Remember that some official sites warn about third parties. The RealPage settlement site, for example, says you do not need to sign up or pay another attorney, company, or individual to file a claim (official site).
If you already paid or shared information
Report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. If your personal information was exposed, follow the steps at IdentityTheft.gov.
How Open Claim Watch™ handles links
Every claim link in our checker goes to the official settlement site, and we check each one against the official site before listing it. We never ask for your personal information and never charge a fee.