BIZCLAIM guide
How to tell a real settlement site from a fake one
Real settlements attract copycats. A lookalike site can borrow the case name, the logo and even the deadline. The court-approved notice is the one thing a copycat cannot change, so every check below starts there.
Start from the notice, not a search result
A real settlement has a notice approved by the court. It names the case, the claims administrator and the official claim website. Ads and social posts can sit above the real site in search results, so type the address from the notice yourself instead of clicking a link you found.
Five checks before you type anything
- The web address matches the notice letter for letter, including the ending such as .com or .org.
- The administrator named on the site is the one named in the notice.
- The case name and the court match the notice.
- The claim deadline matches the deadline in the notice.
- The mailing address or phone number for the administrator also appears in the notice.
What a real claim form usually asks for
Your name and contact details, a claim or notice ID if you received one, and the proof the notice describes, such as a receipt or an account number for the product involved. Some forms ask how you want to be paid, so the administrator can send money for approved claims.
Warning signs
- A fee to file, or a fee to release a payment. Filing with the official administrator is free.
- Pressure to act within hours when the notice gives you weeks.
- A request for a password, a full card number with its security code, or a one-time code sent to your phone.
- A promised amount. Payments depend on court approval and on how many people claim.
- An offer to file many claims for you in exchange for a share of the money. Read who they are and what they keep before you agree to anything.
If something does not match
Stop and do not enter more details. Find the notice again, or look up the case in the court's own records, and contact the administrator using the details printed there. If you already gave card details or a password to a site you now doubt, call your bank or change the password straight away. In the US you can report a suspected scam to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Common questions
Can a real settlement site ask for my payment details?
An official claim form may ask how you want to be paid, for example by check or bank transfer, when you file. It does not ask for a filing fee, a password or a one-time code. If you are unsure, contact the administrator using the details in the notice.
I got an email about a settlement I never heard of. Is it real?
It might be, because many real notices go out by email. Do not click the link. Search for the case name with the word notice, open the court-approved notice, and compare the web address. If they differ, use the one in the notice.
Does BIZCLAIM check settlements for me?
No. The free tracker and the paid checklist help you organise dates and papers. You do the checks and file with the official administrator yourself.