Date: 2007-12-13 12:05 Subject: Class action settlement for globetrotters Security: Public

This came in the mail yesterday - a class action settlement for ATM, visa, mastercard foreign transaction fees between 1996 and 2006.  I was initially skeptical, but it seems real enough, so thought I'd share.

"Now, as part of a $336 million settlement in a national class-action lawsuit, refund forms for those obscure surcharges are being mailed to about 30 million globe-trotters. So if you traveled to a foreign country in the past decade and used a Visa, MasterCard or Diners Club card, check your mailbox, because you could be owed money."

Basically, attacking the banks or networks for what is considered an excessive amount to convert money internationally (which I always wondered a bit about yet never complained too much about)

At the low end, you send back the first form and get $25. Nice.

But if you spent more than a week overseas, they recommend you send the second form.  I believe all you have to fill out is approximately the amount of time that you spent overseas and some of how that itme was spent - no financial details necessary.

If any of you had large business expenses overseas, then you would want to consider the third form.

Apparently it's legit - if you didn't get one, or want to read more, there's contact info over here.

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