Visa Class Action Lawsuit: Are You Part Of It?

The class action lawsuit, Griffith v. Visa Inc., was filed by Lindy Griffith against Visa Inc. in December 2024. Here are the key details:

Plaintiff and Defendant

  • Plaintiff: Lindy Griffith

  • Defendant: Visa Inc.

Nature of the Lawsuit

Lindy Griffith claims that Visa engaged in anticompetitive practices to artificially raise the price of debit network fees. Griffith alleges that Visa monopolized the debit network market and used its power to suppress competition by punishing retailers for using alternative networks.

Allegations

  • Anticompetitive Conduct: Visa is accused of engaging in anticompetitive conduct that led to supracompetitive prices for debit network fees.

  • Monopolization: Griffith claims that Visa monopolized the debit network market and leveraged its power to suppress competition.

  • Punishing Retailers: Visa allegedly punished retailers for using alternative networks.

  • Contracts to Prevent Competition: Visa is accused of entering into contracts to pay off potential competitors or prevent the development of substitute networks.

Legal Claims

Griffith argues that Visa's actions violate the Sherman Act and state antitrust and consumer protection laws. The plaintiff seeks declaratory and injunctive relief, as well as damages for herself and all class members.

Class Definition

Griffith seeks to represent a nationwide class of consumers who purchased goods or services with a general-purpose Visa debit card and indirectly paid Visa network fees during the applicable limitations period.

To find out if you're part of the class definition in the Griffith v. Visa Inc. class action lawsuit, you can follow these steps:

  1. Review Legal Notices: Class action lawsuits often require that potential class members be notified through legal notices, which may be published in newspapers or online. Keep an eye on any official communications related to the case.

  2. Visit the Case Website: If the lawsuit settles and establishes a dedicated website, it may provide information on how to check your eligibility and how to join the class action.

Court and Case Information

  • Court: U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York (Case No. 1:24-cv-09374)

  • Judge: Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers (California Northern District Court)

  • Case Filed: December 2, 2024

Legal Representation

The plaintiff is represented by attorneys from Lite DePalma Greenberg & Afanador LLC and Hartley LLP.

Potential Impact

If successful, this lawsuit could lead to significant changes in how Visa operates its debit network and could result in substantial compensation for affected consumers.

Similar Settlements

Here are details on three recent class action settlements, including the total amount and estimated payouts:

The Beyond Meat False Advertising Settlement amounts to $7.5 million, with individual payouts starting at $2 and varying based on the extent of purchases. This settlement resolves allegations that Beyond Meat made false and misleading claims about the nutritional content of its products. Consumers who purchased Beyond Meat products between May 2018 and August 2024 can receive compensation based on their purchases.

The Thomson Reuters Privacy Settlement is valued at $27.5 million, with individual payouts ranging from $19 to $48. This settlement addresses a data privacy breach that exposed users' personal information. Affected individuals can file claims to receive compensation for any resulting harm from the breach.

The Fortnite In-Game Purchases Settlement totals $245 million, with individual payouts ranging from $19 to $48. This settlement resolves claims that Epic Games, the developer of Fortnite, used misleading practices to encourage in-game purchases. Players who made in-game purchases in Fortnite can file claims to receive refunds or credits based on their transactions.