Molly Ayala
If you're an Ohio resident who received an Ohio Electricity Litigation prepaid Mastercard in the mail, you may be wondering if it's legitimate. The short answer is yes. In 2023, FirstEnergy Corp. settled a federal class-action lawsuit, accusing them of racketeering to secure the passage of Ohio House Bill 6, which included a bailout for two failing nuclear plants owned by a former FirstEnergy subsidiary. As a result, some Ohio residents paid excessive charges for electricity. The settlement includes a $49 million monetary payment to affected customers, with payments ranging from $1 to $250. Eligible customers are receiving their payments in the form of virtual prepaid Mastercards, which can be added to digital wallets or spent in-store. So, if you received one of these cards, rest assured that it is legitimate, and you can start using your funds.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Legitimacy | Legitimate |
| Issuing Company | Ohio Electricity Litigation |
| Card Type | Prepaid Mastercard |
| Card Amounts | $1 to $250 |
| Average Card Amount | $15 to $16 |
| Issuing Company Partners | Tremendous, A.B. Data Ltd |
| Card Issuance Method | |
| Card Redemption Method | Online via reward.tremendous.com |
| Card Usage | In-store, Online via digital wallets |
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What You'll Learn
The legitimacy of Ohio Electricity Litigation prepaid Mastercards
The Ohio Electricity Litigation prepaid Mastercards are legitimate. They are the result of a federal class-action lawsuit settlement against FirstEnergy Corp. and its spinoff company, Energy Harbor. The lawsuit alleged that FirstEnergy engaged in a racketeering scheme to influence the passage of House Bill 6, which resulted in some Ohio residents paying excessive charges for electricity.
The settlement includes a monetary payment of $49 million, which is being shared by all FirstEnergy customers. The eligible recipients are those who paid any rates, charges, fees, tolls, or other costs to FirstEnergy's three operating companies in Ohio: Toledo Edison, Cleveland Electric, or Ohio Edison, from January 1, 2020, to June 22, 2022. The settlement payments range from $1 to $250, with the average payment being about $15-16.
The Ohio Electricity Litigation prepaid Mastercards are being distributed by a company named Tremendous, which has been partnered with Ohio Electricity Litigation. The cards can be added to digital wallets like Google Pay, Apple Pay, or Samsung Pay for online purchases or loaded onto online retailers like Amazon, Target, or Starbucks. They can also be used in-store like a credit card, although some retailers do not allow split payments if the total purchase exceeds the balance on the card.
While it is understandable that some recipients may be concerned about the legitimacy of these cards, especially since utility scams are common during the summer months, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) serving Greater Cleveland has confirmed that these mailings are legitimate. Consumers who were customers of FirstEnergy subsidiaries between January 1, 2020, and June 22, 2022, are generally eligible for the settlement, according to the BBB.
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Who is eligible for the settlement
The Ohio Electricity Litigation settlement is the result of a federal class-action lawsuit against FirstEnergy and its spinoff company, Energy Harbor. The lawsuit alleged that FirstEnergy engaged in a racketeering scheme to influence the passage of House Bill 6 (HB6), resulting in some Ohio residents paying excessive charges for electricity. The settlement includes a monetary payment of $49 million to the Settlement Class, which comprises customers of FirstEnergy's three operating companies in Ohio: Toledo Edison, Cleveland Electric, and Ohio Edison.
So, who is eligible for the settlement? According to the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and various news sources, customers who paid any rates, charges, fees, tolls, or other costs to Toledo Edison, Cleveland Electric, or Ohio Edison pursuant to HB6 or any recovery mechanism approved by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) from January 1, 2020, through June 22, 2022, are generally eligible for the settlement. This includes both residential and commercial customers.
The settlement payments range from $1 to $250, with the average payment being around $15 to $16. Eligible recipients will receive an email from [email protected] with the subject "Ohio Electricity Litigation: Your Digital Payment is Ready." Those who are being repaid $250 or less will receive a digital payment in the form of a virtual prepaid Mastercard, which can be added to digital wallets or spent in-store like a credit card. Customers who prefer a different form of payment, such as a physical debit card or check, can contact the settlement administrators to make alternative arrangements.
It's important to note that while the settlement is legitimate, it does not constitute an admission of liability by FirstEnergy or the other defendants. The Court has not made any decision on the merits of the plaintiffs' claims, and the defendants deny any wrongdoing. However, the settlement provides a resolution to the class-action lawsuit and compensates affected customers for any excessive charges they may have paid.
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How much money is on the cards
The Ohio Electricity Litigation prepaid Mastercard is legitimate, and the settlement funds began being distributed on July 31, 2023. The settlement amount was $49 million, and the payments range from $1 to $250. The larger sums are likely going to large commercial customers, while the smaller amounts may be for those who rented a property for a month and used electricity before moving out. The average payment is about $16.
Several people have reported receiving their prepaid Mastercard with amounts ranging from \$1.00 to \$1.88. Some people have questioned the legitimacy of the cards, but they are, in fact, legitimate.
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How to use the cards
If you have received an Ohio Electricity Litigation prepaid Mastercard, rest assured that it is legitimate. These cards were sent out as part of a settlement in a federal class-action lawsuit against FirstEnergy Corp. and its spinoff company, Energy Harbor. The lawsuit alleged that FirstEnergy engaged in a racketeering scheme to influence the passage of HB 6, resulting in some Ohio residents paying excessive charges for electricity.
Now that you have received your card, here is how you can use it:
Activating your card
First, you will need to activate your card. Find the sticker on the front of your card that says "Click here to activate." Peel off this sticker to reveal the card number. Then, visit the website provided in the mailing that came with your card, or call the phone number provided. You will need to enter your card number to activate your card. Follow the instructions provided to complete the activation process.
Checking your balance
Once your card is activated, you can check your balance online or by calling the phone number on the back of your card. You may also be able to check your balance at an ATM. The website or phone service will ask for your card number and may also require a security code or other identifying information.
Using your card for purchases
Your prepaid Mastercard can be used for purchases anywhere that Mastercard is accepted. This includes online retailers and in-store purchases. If you have a digital wallet such as Google Pay, Apple Pay, or Samsung Pay, you can add your card to your wallet for convenient online shopping. For in-store purchases, simply swipe or insert your card and use it like a regular credit or debit card.
Understanding the terms and conditions
Be sure to review the terms and conditions that came with your card. These will outline any fees associated with using the card, as well as any restrictions or limitations on its use. For example, some retailers may not allow split payments if the total purchase exceeds the balance on your card. Additionally, there may be expiration dates or other time restrictions on using the funds, so be sure to use your card promptly.
Seeking help
If you have any issues or questions about your card, you can refer to the customer service information provided with your card. This may include a phone number, email address, or website where you can find more information or get assistance with your card.
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The background of the lawsuit
The Ohio Electricity Litigation is the result of a federal class-action lawsuit against FirstEnergy Corp. and its spinoff company, Energy Harbor. The lawsuit accused FirstEnergy of engaging in a racketeering scheme to influence the passage of Ohio House Bill 6 (HB 6), which included a $100 million bailout for two failing nuclear plants owned by a former FirstEnergy subsidiary. FirstEnergy denied any liability, but ultimately settled the lawsuit for $49 million.
The settlement includes all customers of FirstEnergy's three operating companies in Ohio: Toledo Edison, Cleveland Electric, and Ohio Edison. These customers paid rates, charges, fees, tolls, or other costs pursuant to HB 6 from January 1, 2020, to June 22, 2022. The settlement provides monetary payments to the affected customers, with amounts ranging from $1 to $250. The larger sums are likely going to large commercial customers, while the smaller amounts may be for those who only used the service for a short period.
The settlement is being distributed in the form of physical checks, debit cards, and digital payments. The digital payments are being sent via email from [email protected] with the subject line "Ohio Electricity Litigation: Your Digital Payment is Ready." The email contains a link to a redemption website where recipients can access their virtual prepaid Mastercard. The cards can be added to digital wallets or spent in-store like a credit card.
It's important to note that while utility scams are common, the Ohio Electricity Litigation settlement is legitimate, as confirmed by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and attorneys representing the plaintiffs in the class-action lawsuit.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the prepaid Mastercard is legitimate. It is the result of a federal class-action lawsuit settlement against FirstEnergy Corp.
Customers of FirstEnergy subsidiaries Ohio Edison, Cleveland Electric, or Toledo Edison between January 1, 2020, and June 22, 2022, are eligible for the settlement.
The settlement payments range from \$1 to \$250, with the average being around \$15.
It is a class-action lawsuit against FirstEnergy and its spinoff company, Energy Harbor. The lawsuit alleges that FirstEnergy engaged in a racketeering scheme to influence the passage of HB 6, resulting in excessive charges for electricity.
Eligible recipients will receive an email with the subject "Ohio Electricity Litigation: Your Digital Payment is Ready." The payment will be in the form of a virtual prepaid Mastercard that can be added to digital wallets or spent in-store like a credit card.
