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What do you do if you get an unexpected notice saying that you are owed money from a class-action lawsuit you knew nothing about?

Class-action settlements are big business, and consumers who are wronged stand to gain their share of compensation. For example, in 2025, more than 1,700 class suits were settled for a total of $79 billion, nearly double the amount over the previous year.

Many settlement notices are legitimate, and legal experts advise against automatically discarding one because you could lose the right to a payout that you are owed.

But caution is needed in determining whether a settlement notice is a scam or, instead, money you are due because of the misdeeds of some major company.

Here are some actions to take before deciding whether to respond, according to AARP:

• Find the settlement website. Most class-action lawsuits have an associated special website that includes such information as court filings, settlement eligibility and frequently asked questions. Find the website on your own rather than clicking on a link in an emailed notice.

• Also check for any news items about the settlement. Large lawsuits and their resolutions are often covered by the media.

• Check websites such as ClassAction.org or TopClassActions.com. Both sites publish information about large-scale lawsuits and settlements. Also, the Federal Trade Commission lists active refund information for consumers owed money at www.ftc.gov/enforcement/refunds?utm_source=chatgpt.com.

• If you’re uncertain, contact the law firm or claims administrator, who should be listed on the official settlement website.

• Consider it suspicious if you’re asked for a Social Security number or bank account information.

• Another red flag: requests for processing fees or any kind of upfront payment.

Bogus ‘court officials’ targeting local residents

People named in lawsuits pending before the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court system have been contacted by bogus court officials and pressed for money.

The callers falsely say the case has been resolved and “demand immediate payment of a judgment over the phone,” court CEO Lissa Quintana said in a news release.

Although judgments can be issued without both parties being present in court, news of the ruling is mailed or delivered in person at the hearing or trial.

“If you receive a call like this, you should immediately be skeptical,” Quintana said.

“Scammers can access public information, including court records that may contain contact information for people named in lawsuits or facing criminal charges.”

Verify the status of a case through the court website or by calling the court directly at 505-841-8151.

The court system is also warning of fraudulent text messages that say the recipient has outstanding traffic fines and must pay up within two days through the payment link provided.

Those who don’t respond, the text says, will have to show up in court and could face fines, license suspension and court enforcement. A payment link is included.

Quintana says the court informs people of outstanding fines through mail, not via text or phone call. And definitely don’t click on that link.

Contact Ellen Marks at emarks@abqjournal.com if you are aware of what sounds like a scam. To report a scam to law enforcement, contact the New Mexico Consumer Protection Division at 505-490-4060. Complaints can be filed electronically at nmag.gov/contact-us/file-a-complaint/.