Residents of Riverside, California, are on the verge of potential refunds as the final days to claim payouts from a $24 million bill settlement approach. The settlement stems from a legal dispute involving a water and power company in Riverside, located east of Los Angeles, which charged fees deemed unconstitutional by a judge.
“Deadline Approaching for Refunds: Riverside Residents Could Receive Payouts from $24 Million Bill Settlement”
The utility company faced legal scrutiny for charging fees that funded various government departments, a practice that violated the state’s constitution, according to the court ruling. In response to the judge’s decision, a ballot initiative was passed in 2021, allowing the fees to continue. However, as the fees had been charged illegally, the utility company is now required to make substantial payouts as part of the settlement.
Riverside’s Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson emphasized the importance of prioritizing the city’s businesses and residents in this resolution.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Customers with active accounts between January 1, 2019, and November 4, 2021, are eligible for refunds.
- Current customers will automatically receive refunds.
- Former customers impacted must file a claim online by the deadline on November 30.
It is crucial for former customers seeking refunds to file their claims promptly, and those who have moved and closed their accounts at different addresses will need to ensure they file claims for their former residences.
Payouts are anticipated to commence in February 2024, as outlined by the settlement website. Customers seeking to mail in a claim should contact the City of Riverside promptly to obtain the necessary paperwork for a paper filing. Mailed-in filings must be postmarked by the deadline on November 30.
This settlement offers Riverside residents an opportunity to recover funds unlawfully charged, highlighting the significance of legal interventions in protecting consumer rights.
In addition to this bill settlement, there are other ongoing class actions with approaching deadlines. Residents should be aware of a data privacy suit with a deadline of November 30, which could result in payouts for customers impacted by a marketing software company’s data breach. Another class action surrounding Hefty and Walmart recycling bags, with a deadline of December 13, could provide refunds of up to $50 for customers affected by false advertising claims regarding the bags’ recyclability.
As the deadline looms, affected individuals are encouraged to stay informed and take the necessary steps to claim their refunds before the specified dates.
