Consumer Payouts publishes information people use to make decisions about money. This page explains how we source that information, what we will not do, and how to get something corrected.
Sourcing
Our reporting is based on primary sources wherever possible:
- Official settlement administrator websites and court-approved notices
- Court filings and orders
- Federal and state agency publications, including the Department of Labor, the FTC, and state labor and consumer agencies
- Company statements about recalls, refunds, and reimbursement programs
We link to the official filing page for every payout we cover, so readers can confirm the details themselves and file directly rather than through us.
What we verify before publishing
- That the claim window is genuinely open, and the deadline as stated by the administrator
- Who is eligible, in the administrator’s own terms
- What documentation a claim requires
- Whether stated payment amounts are guaranteed, estimated, or subject to reduction based on claim volume
How we handle uncertainty
Estimated settlement payments are frequently reduced when many people file, and we describe them as estimates rather than promises. Where a rule differs by state, we explain the structure and direct readers to their own state agency rather than presenting one state’s figure as universal. Where the law is actively disputed, such as gig worker classification, we say so.
What we do not do
- We do not file claims for readers or accept payment to do so
- We do not publish settlement listings we cannot trace to an official source
- We do not present estimated payouts as guaranteed amounts
- We do not provide legal advice; our reporting is general information, not counsel about your situation
Corrections
We correct errors promptly and visibly. If something here is wrong, particularly a deadline, an eligibility rule, or a dollar figure, tell us through our contact page and we will review it. Substantive corrections are noted on the article itself.
Independence
Coverage decisions are made on the basis of what is useful to readers. Any commercial relationship that could reasonably affect coverage is disclosed on the page where it applies.