Millions of consumers could get £70 after Mastercard ruling

Many shoppers in the UK could soon receive compensation after a significant ruling regarding Mastercard. This decision was made by a tribunal that has been reviewing a case for nearly ten years. The case was initiated by Walter Merricks, a former financial ombudsman, who argued that Mastercard had charged excessive fees to businesses, which in turn led to higher prices for consumers. The tribunal found that these fees were improperly applied to transactions over a 15-year period from 1992 to 2008. Importantly, individuals do not need to have owned a Mastercard to be eligible for compensation. Mastercard has chosen not to comment on the ruling. To qualify for compensation, consumers must have lived in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland for at least three months between June 1997 and June 2008 and made purchases from UK businesses that accepted Mastercard credit cards. For those residing in Scotland, the eligibility period starts from May 1992. The total settlement amount is £200 million, with £100 million specifically allocated for consumers. Those eligible have until the end of this year to submit their claims. If the expected 5% of claimants, which amounts to about 2. 5 million people, come forward, each individual could receive around £45. However, if fewer people apply, the maximum payout per claimant could be capped at £70. Walter Merricks stated that consumers will soon be able to register for their compensation by filling out an online form. He initiated this claim after the European Commission determined in 2007 that Mastercard's 'multilateral interchange fees' charged to businesses violated competition laws since 1992. These fees were paid by retailers who accepted Mastercard payments, not by the consumers directly. Nevertheless, Merricks argued that shoppers ultimately suffered because retailers passed these costs onto them through increased prices for goods and services. He estimated that around 46 million shoppers in Britain were overcharged due to these fees. The tribunal also ruled that any unclaimed funds should be directed to the Access to Justice Foundation, which is designated to receive any undistributed money. Clare Carter, the chief executive of the Access to Justice Foundation, mentioned that they have already begun collaborating with partners to ensure that any unclaimed funds are distributed to charities that enhance access to justice for those in need. The Competition Appeal Tribunal approved the settlement in this class action case on a Tuesday. Reflecting on the outcome, Merricks expressed that he pursued this case because he believed that the fees charged by Mastercard to retailers for processing card transactions were unlawfully high. He emphasized that nearly all UK consumers had been negatively impacted for extended periods by paying inflated prices as retailers passed on these costs. He concluded that the settlement approved today represents a fair and just resolution for UK consumers.