How to Update Your Address on a Class Action Claim

To update your address on a class action claim, contact the settlement administrator, not the company or the court. Most official settlement websites have an update form or a contact page, and administrators also accept changes by email, phone or mail. Include your claim ID and both your old and new addresses. Do it as soon as you move, because payments go to whatever address is on file when they're issued.

Why this matters

Settlement payments often arrive months or even years after you file. A lot can change in that time. When a check is mailed to an old address, it may be returned or simply lost, and administrators typically make only limited efforts to find people. After the reissue window closes, unclaimed money is handled however the settlement provides, which may mean redistribution to others or a cy pres award. Either way, it doesn't wait for you.

Information to have ready

• ✓Your claim ID, notice ID or confirmation number. See how to find your claim ID if you can't locate it.
• ✓The name you filed under, exactly as you entered it.
• ✓Your old address as it appears on the claim.
• ✓Your new mailing address, plus email and phone if they've changed.
• ✓Any new payment details if you're switching payment methods.

How to update it, step by step

1. 1Go to the official settlement website listed in your notice or confirmation email.
2. 2Look for a link such as Update Contact Information, Change of Address or Manage My Claim.
3. 3If there's no online option, use the contact page or email address listed for the administrator.
4. 4Send your claim ID, name, old address and new address in one message. Keep it short.
5. 5Ask for confirmation that the change was recorded, and save that reply.

Updating your email and payment method

If you chose an electronic payment, your email or phone number may matter more than your street address. Digital payment links are often sent by email and can expire if you don't redeem them. Update your email with the administrator if it changes, and make sure messages from their domain don't go to spam.

Some settlements let you switch from a paper check to PayPal, direct deposit or a virtual card after filing, while others lock in your choice. If you're moving often, an electronic option can save trouble. Compare them in settlement payment methods.

If you've already missed a payment

If a payment went to your old address, contact the administrator right away with your claim ID and new address. Ask whether the check was returned and whether they can reissue it. Many settlements allow reissues for a limited time after the initial distribution.

If you moved before filing

If you haven't filed yet, use your current address on the claim form. Some forms also ask for your address during the class period, which helps match you to the defendant's records. Moving rarely affects eligibility; see claiming after moving to another state for the details.

Keep a list of your open claims

The hardest part of updating addresses is remembering every claim you've filed. A simple list with the settlement name, administrator website and claim ID makes a move much easier, because you can work through it in one sitting. Note the deadline and the payment method you chose for each, too, so you know which ones depend on your mailing address and which depend on your email.

Changing your name

Name changes cause the same problem as address changes. If you married, divorced or otherwise changed your legal name after filing, a check in your old name may be hard to deposit. Tell the administrator about the change and ask what documentation they need, such as a marriage certificate or court order. Do it before payments go out; reissuing a check later takes extra time and sometimes has a deadline.

SettleScout keeps your matched settlements in one list with links to each official site, so when you move you know exactly which administrators to contact. Browse open settlements to start building your list.