What the Washington Cash App settlement is and who gets paid

In 2023, Washington State's Attorney General reached a settlement with Cash App (Square, Inc.) over claims that the company failed to protect consumers from fraud and unauthorized transfers. The settlement requires Cash App to pay money to Washington residents who experienced certain types of fraud or unauthorized account access between 2013 and 2021.

Not every Cash App user in Washington receives a payment. You are only may be able to access if you filed a claim during the claims period and your claim was approved by the settlement administrator. The settlement administrator is the organization handling all the paperwork, verification, and payment distribution for this case.

If you submitted a claim and it was approved, you will receive a payment. The timing and method depend on which payment option you chose when you filed your claim.

Key Takeaways

  • Approved claimants receive payments through either a check mailed to their address or a transfer to their bank account, depending on what they selected during the claims process.
  • Check payments typically arrive within 4 to 6 weeks after the settlement becomes final, though the exact date depends on when the court approves the settlement.
  • Bank transfer payments usually process faster than checks, often within 2 to 3 weeks after the settlement is finalized.
  • The settlement administrator's website shows the current status of the settlement and provides a claim lookup tool so you can check whether your claim was approved.
  • If you did not receive a payment by the expected date, contact the settlement administrator directly with your claim number rather than Cash App customer service.

Payment methods and how long each takes

When you filed your claim, you chose how to receive your payment: by check or by bank transfer. Each method has a different timeline.

Check payments are mailed to the address you provided on your claim form. Once the settlement is approved by the court, checks typically take 4 to 6 weeks to arrive. This timeline includes the time for the settlement administrator to print and mail the checks, plus standard postal delivery time. Checks do not expire, so if yours arrives late, you can still cash it.

Bank transfer payments (also called ACH transfers) go directly into the bank account you listed on your claim. These usually arrive faster than checks — typically within 2 to 3 weeks after the settlement becomes final. The transfer appears as a deposit from the settlement administrator, not from Cash App.

If you are unsure which payment method you chose, check your claim confirmation email or log into the settlement administrator's website using your claim number.

When the settlement officially becomes final

Payment dates depend on when the court gives final approval to the settlement. The settlement is not final until the judge signs off on it, which happens after a fairness hearing. Until that date, no payments are sent out.

The settlement administrator publishes the approval date on their website once it is official. You can check this site to see whether the settlement has been finalized. If it has not yet been finalized, the site will show the expected date or the status of the approval process.

Once the settlement is final, the payment clock starts. Checks begin mailing within a few days, and bank transfers are processed within the same timeframe. However, delivery time varies — a check might take 3 weeks to arrive in one part of Washington and 5 weeks in another, depending on distance and postal service speed.

How to check your claim status and payment date

The settlement administrator maintains a claims website where you can look up your claim using your claim number and last name. This tool tells you whether your claim was approved, rejected, or is still being reviewed. It also shows which payment method you selected.

To use the lookup tool, visit the settlement administrator's website (the exact URL was included in any emails you received about your claim). Enter your claim number and last name. The system will display your claim status and, once the settlement is final, an estimated payment date based on your payment method.

If you cannot find your claim number, check your claim confirmation email or any letters you received from the settlement administrator. If you still cannot locate it, you can contact the settlement administrator's customer service line — the phone number is on their website and in any correspondence you received.

What to do if your payment is late

If the settlement has been final for more than 6 weeks and you chose a check but have not received it, or if more than 3 weeks have passed and you chose a bank transfer but do not see the deposit, contact the settlement administrator. Do not contact Cash App — they are not handling the payments.

When you reach out, have your claim number ready. The settlement administrator can check whether your payment was sent, resend a check if it was lost in the mail, or investigate a missing bank transfer. They may ask for your mailing address or bank account information to verify the payment details on file.

If a check was sent but you never received it, the settlement administrator can issue a replacement. If a bank transfer failed (for example, because your account was closed), they can attempt to resend it or issue a check instead.

Uncashed checks and what happens if you miss the important date

Checks from this settlement do not expire. You can cash a check months or even years after it arrives. There is no important date to deposit or cash your settlement payment.

However, if you lose the check or it is damaged, contact the settlement administrator as soon as you realize it. They keep records of all checks issued and can issue a replacement if you report it missing within a reasonable time. After a very long period (typically several years), the settlement administrator may close the claims process, so it is best to cash or deposit your check within a year of receiving it.

If you received a check and want to switch to a bank transfer instead, or vice versa, you generally cannot change your payment method after the settlement is final. Contact the settlement administrator to ask whether an exception is possible in your situation.

Taxes and what you need to know about reporting the payment

Settlement payments for fraud or unauthorized transfers may have tax implications depending on the type of loss you claimed and your personal tax situation. The settlement administrator will send you a tax form (usually a 1099 or similar document) if the payment is considered taxable income under federal law.

Keep any tax documents you receive with your settlement payment. You may need them when you file your taxes. If you have questions about whether the payment is taxable or how to report it, consult a tax professional or contact the IRS — the settlement administrator cannot provide tax information.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my claim was approved?

Use the settlement administrator's claims lookup tool on their website. Enter your claim number and last name to see your claim status. You can also check your claim confirmation email, which stated whether your claim was approved or needed more information.

Can I change my payment method from check to bank transfer after I filed my claim?

Once the settlement is final and payments have begun, you cannot change your payment method. If you need to change it before the settlement is finalized, contact the settlement administrator when ready with your claim number and explain the change you need.

What if I moved and the check was sent to my old address?

Contact the settlement administrator with your claim number and new address. They can issue a replacement check to your current address. Provide your old address as well so they can check whether the original check was delivered there.

Do I have to report this payment to the IRS?

The settlement administrator will send you a tax form if the payment is taxable. Keep that form and consult a tax professional about whether and how to report it on your tax return. Tax treatment depends on the type of claim you filed.

What if I never received a claim form or did not know about this settlement?

The claims period has closed, so you cannot file a new claim. If you believe you should have received notice about the settlement, contact the settlement administrator to ask whether your contact information was on file with Cash App during the settlement period.