If you’re a Cash App user, there’s good news—you might be eligible for a cash payout of up to $147 from a new class action settlement. This stems from a lawsuit alleging the company sent unsolicited referral messages to users, violating certain consumer protection laws. The digital world may make transactions easier, but it also raises big concerns about how companies handle user data. When those lines get crossed, legal consequences follow.
Here’s everything you need to know about this Cash App settlement and what it means for you.
Table of Contents
Background
Data privacy has become a major battleground in recent years. As companies collect more user data, they’re under pressure to not only protect it but also be fully transparent about how it’s being used. Failing to do so can result in lawsuits—especially class actions—that force companies to pay out large sums to affected users.
That’s exactly what happened with Cash App. While the company denies any wrongdoing, it has agreed to a $12.5 million settlement to resolve claims that it violated consumer protection laws in Washington State.
Specifically, the allegations involve Cash App sending unsolicited messages as part of its referral program between late 2019 and mid-2025.
Lawsuit
The legal action against Cash App centers on Washington’s Commercial Electronic Mail Act (CEMA) and Consumer Protection Act (CPA). The plaintiffs argue that Cash App sent messages promoting its referral program without proper consent.
Even though Cash App hasn’t admitted to any legal violation, they’ve chosen to settle the lawsuit rather than fight it in court. That decision helps avoid further legal costs and allows affected users to receive compensation more quickly.
Here are the core points of the case:
- Messages were allegedly sent without user consent
- Cash App violated electronic mail and consumer protection laws
- The settlement covers a five-year period from 2019 to 2025
- Payouts range from $88 to $147
Eligibility
Not every user qualifies for the payout. You’ll need to meet specific conditions to be part of the class action:
- You must have received a referral program message from Cash App
- The message must have been sent between November 14, 2019, and August 7, 2025
- You must be a Washington State resident
- You’ll need to provide the phone number where the message was received
- A valid claim must be submitted by October 27, 2025
If you meet all those requirements, you can expect to receive between $88 and $147 depending on how many valid claims are submitted.
Payments
Settlement payments will be sent out after all claims are reviewed and approved. The exact payout amount may vary, as it depends on the number of people who file claims.
Here’s a breakdown of what you could receive:
| Eligibility Criteria | Payout Amount |
|---|---|
| Received a referral message (Nov 2019–Aug 2025) | $88 to $147 |
| Must submit claim by | October 27, 2025 |
| Must reside in | Washington State |
| Provide number that received message | Required |
The higher end of the range—$147—is likely reserved for users with more clear or repeated instances of violation. Either way, it’s money that users didn’t expect and now have the right to claim.
Trends
Cash App isn’t alone in facing these kinds of lawsuits. Several major companies are now being held accountable for how they manage user data.
For example, Lake Charles Memorial Health settled a $2 million lawsuit after unauthorized third parties accessed sensitive user data. In that case, payouts of up to $5,000 are being offered to eligible individuals. These higher amounts often reflect the seriousness of the breach—exposing health records, social security numbers, and more.
While the Cash App case involved unsolicited messages rather than sensitive data leaks, both examples show how serious courts and regulators are becoming about data privacy.
Importance
Why are these settlements important? Because when your data is misused—whether it’s shared without permission or accessed by unauthorized parties—you often end up spending time and money to secure it again. That could mean freezing credit reports, changing bank accounts, or even hiring identity protection services.
These settlements aren’t just about punishing the companies involved—they’re about reimbursing users who have to clean up a mess they didn’t cause.
Even though some users might see a few hundred dollars as a small win, it’s meant to help cover the real-world costs of privacy violations.
FAQs
Who qualifies for the Cash App payout?
Washington residents who got a referral message from 2019 to 2025.
How much can Cash App users get?
Eligible users can receive between $88 and $147.
What is the claim deadline?
Claims must be submitted by October 27, 2025.
Is Cash App admitting guilt?
No, Cash App denies any wrongdoing in the case.
How do I file a claim?
You must provide your phone number and submit a valid form online.
