In a landmark decision, the UK Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) has approved a £200 million settlement in a case against Mastercard, which could benefit millions of UK consumers. The lawsuit, which has been ongoing for nearly a decade, alleged that Mastercard imposed excessive interchange fees between 1992 and 2008, leading to increased prices for consumers.

If you made purchases in the UK during this period, you could be eligible for compensation. Here’s everything you need to know.

Background of the Mastercard Lawsuit

The case was led by Walter Merricks, a former UK Financial Ombudsman, on behalf of approximately 44 million UK consumers. It accused Mastercard of charging excessive interchange fees to retailers, which were indirectly passed on to consumers through higher product prices.

Originally, the claim sought £14 billion in compensation, but after years of legal disputes, the final settlement stands at £200 million. The tribunal approved the settlement, despite objections that the payout was far smaller than initially sought.

Who Is Eligible to Claim Compensation?

The settlement applies to UK residents who made purchases using a debit or credit card between 1992 and 2008. You do not need to have used a Mastercard to be eligible—any cardholder during the period could qualify.

Eligibility Criteria

Requirement	Details
Residency	You must have lived in the UK between 1992-2008.
Card Usage	You must have made purchases using a debit or credit card.
Proof of Purchase	Not required – general eligibility is enough.
Current Mastercard Usage	Not required – past usage is enough.

Even if you no longer use a Mastercard, you may still be eligible to receive a payment.

How Much Can You Expect to Receive?

Due to the large number of eligible claimants, individual payouts are expected to be modest, likely under £10 per person. The exact amount will depend on how many people apply and the final distribution plan approved by the tribunal.

How to Claim Your Share of the Settlement

The claims process is expected to open soon. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Monitor Official Updates
   • Visit the official Mastercard Consumer Claim website: MastercardConsumerClaim.co.uk
   • Follow announcements from the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA)
   • Check updates from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA): fca.org.uk
2. Register for Notifications
   • Some official websites may allow you to sign up for email alerts about the claims process.
3. Submit Your Claim (Once the Process Opens)
   • The process is expected to be simple and conducted online.
   • You will likely need to provide your name, contact details, and bank information for the payout.
4. Await Payment
   • After claims are processed, payments will be distributed.

Beware of Scams

With large settlements like this, scams are common. Stay vigilant:

• Use only official websites, such as MastercardConsumerClaim.co.uk.
• Never pay fees—claims should be free.
• Ignore suspicious emails or calls asking for personal information.

Legal and Consumer Rights Impact

This case sets an important precedent for UK consumer rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2015. Although the payout is smaller than expected, it demonstrates that companies can be held accountable for unfair pricing practices.

Consumer protection groups continue to push for stronger laws to prevent excessive fees and protect consumers from hidden charges in the future.

Conclusion

Even though the individual payouts from this settlement are expected to be small-likely under £10 per person-it’s still worth submitting a claim if you are eligible. This case highlights an important victory for consumer rights, proving that large corporations can be held accountable for unfair business practices.

By participating in the claims process, consumers send a message that hidden fees and overcharging will not go unnoticed. While the compensation may not be life-changing, it is still money that rightfully belongs to UK consumers who were unknowingly affected by Mastercard’s pricing policies