ClaimBee logo

ClaimBee

$4.21M in potential claim value

Sign inCheck your matches
Credit Karma logoClosed to new claimsCredit and lending

Credit Karma’s $3 Million FTC Settlement and Zelle Refund Payments

Last updated:

Sources last checked:

How we verify settlements

Intuit (TurboTax and Credit Karma) has another settlement — see all Intuit (TurboTax and Credit Karma) settlements.

The FTC’s April 2026 Credit Karma update says it is sending Zelle payments to people who filed a valid claim by March 4, 2024, but did not cash their original check or accept their PayPal payment. A Zelle payment is deposited directly into the recipient’s bank account with a note about the settlement. For questions about a payment, call refund administrator JND Legal Administration at 1-866-848-0871.

In October 2024, the FTC announced that it was sending more than $2.5 million in checks and PayPal payments to 50,994 valid claimants. The FTC later reported that this first round resulted in more than $2.3 million in refunds. Its April 2026 update gives no count or total for the Zelle payments.

Credit Karma agreed to pay $3 million to settle FTC charges over credit card offers it described as “pre-approved.” Consumers who received a pre-approved offer, applied and were denied could submit a claim for time spent responding to the offer. The claim deadline was March 4, 2024.

Key facts

FTC order
$3 million for consumer redress
Original payments sent
More than $2.5 million in checks and PayPal payments to 50,994 valid claimants in October 2024
First-round refunds
More than $2.3 million, according to the FTC’s April 2026 update
Zelle payments
For valid claimants who did not cash their check or accept their PayPal payment
Claim deadline
March 4, 2024 — closed
Conduct period
February 2018 through April 2021, according to the FTC’s complaint
Case
In the Matter of Credit Karma, LLC, FTC File No. 2023138
Final order
January 23, 2023
Refund administrator
JND Legal Administration, 1-866-848-0871

Official settlement administrator: Federal Trade Commission — Credit Karma Settlement

Evidence for key facts

These excerpts record what official sources said when checked. Open a fact to see its source and supporting passage. Follow the source for the latest information.

Claim statusChecked
The FTC is sending Zelle payments to people who requested compensation for their time spent responding to credit offers from Credit Karma and didn’t cash their check or accept their PayPal payment.

FTC — Credit Karma Settlement refund page (April 2026 Zelle round)April 2026 program update, opening paragraph

Who qualifiesChecked
Consumers can apply if they were offered a pre-approved credit card from Credit Karma but were denied when they applied.

FTC claim announcement — eligibility and March 4, 2024 deadlineDecember 2023 claim-process announcement, eligibility paragraph

Payment and benefitsChecked
The FTC is sending checks and PayPal payments to 50,994 consumers who filed a valid claim before the March 4, 2024 deadline.

FTC press release — October 2024: more than $2.5 million to 50,994 claimantsOctober 2024 initial checks and PayPal payments

Payment and benefitsChecked
The FTC first sent checks and PayPal payments in October 2024, which resulted in more than $2.3 million in refunds.

FTC — Credit Karma Settlement refund page (April 2026 Zelle round)April 2026 program update, first-round result

Proof requirementsChecked
The FTC is using that money to send payments to people who filed a valid claim before the deadline.

FTC — Credit Karma Settlement refund page (April 2026 Zelle round)April 2026 program update, prior valid claim required

Claim deadlineChecked
The deadline to file a claim is March 4, 2024.

FTC claim announcement — eligibility and March 4, 2024 deadlineDecember 2023 notice, final sentence of application instructions

Who qualifies

  • Consumers could apply if Credit Karma offered them a pre-approved credit card and they were denied when they applied. The FTC attributed the harm to time wasted and, in some cases, credit-score effects from hard inquiries.
  • A valid claim had to be filed by March 4, 2024. The FTC announced notices to 497,425 potentially eligible consumers. The original payment round went to 50,994 people who filed valid claims.
  • The April 2026 Zelle payments are for valid claimants who did not cash their October 2024 check or accept their PayPal payment.

How the FTC claim and payment process worked

  1. 1

    Understand the credit offer at issue

    The FTC alleged that from February 2018 through April 2021, Credit Karma described credit offers as “pre-approved” or said users had “90% odds” of approval. Many applicants were denied. Applying triggered a hard credit inquiry that sometimes affected their credit scores.

  2. 2

    Claims closed March 4, 2024

    In December 2023, the FTC announced a claim process for consumers who applied for a pre-approved offer and were denied. The agency sent notices by email or mail. Eligible consumers had to file a claim by March 4, 2024.

  3. 3

    October 2024 — first payments by check or PayPal

    The FTC announced more than $2.5 million in payments to 50,994 valid claimants. It instructed recipients to cash checks within 90 days or accept PayPal payments within 30 days. The first round resulted in more than $2.3 million in refunds.

  4. 4

    April 2026 — Zelle payments for missed first payments

    The FTC says it is sending Zelle payments to claimants who did not cash their check or accept their PayPal payment. Recipients receive a direct bank deposit with a settlement note. If a payment you expected has not arrived, call JND Legal Administration at 1-866-848-0871.

Missed this one? Don't miss the next.

ClaimBee matches your profile against 2,000+ active settlements, shows payout and proof requirements up front, and tracks every deadline for you.

Check your matches

Frequently asked questions

Can I file a Credit Karma settlement claim now?

The deadline was March 4, 2024. The FTC’s April 2026 update addresses payments to people who filed valid claims by that deadline. Call JND Legal Administration at 1-866-848-0871 if you filed on time and have a payment question.

Why am I receiving a Credit Karma payment by Zelle?

The FTC says it is using Zelle for valid claimants who did not cash their first check or accept their PayPal payment. The money is deposited directly into the recipient’s bank account with a note about the settlement. The FTC never asks you to pay money to receive a refund.

How much did the FTC send per claimant?

The FTC announced more than $2.5 million across 50,994 initial payments in October 2024, roughly $49 per initial payment on average. It reports more than $2.3 million in first-round refunds. The April 2026 update does not give an individual Zelle amount or a Zelle distribution total.

What did the FTC allege about Credit Karma’s offers?

The FTC alleged that many users were denied offers described as “pre-approved.” For many such offers, almost a third of applicants were denied. Applying took time and triggered a hard inquiry that in some cases lowered a consumer’s credit score.

How can I check the status of an individual payment?

Contact refund administrator JND Legal Administration at 1-866-848-0871. The FTC’s April 2026 program page describes the Zelle payments but gives no final distribution date.

Sources and official records

Consult these records for the official terms and current updates. ClaimBee's summary helps explain the settlement; the administrator and court documents determine the claim requirements and benefits.

Page updates

  1. The FTC reports more than $2.3 million in first-round refunds. Its April 2026 update describes Zelle payments to timely claimants who missed their original check or PayPal payment. It gives no distribution completion date.

Related settlements

Intuit TurboTax logo

Closed · Deceptive advertising

Intuit TurboTax $141 Million Settlement

~$30 per tax year (auto) · Paid automatically (2023)

Equifax logo

Closed · Credit reporting

Equifax $2.2 Million Credit File Error Settlement

Up to $600 · Closed September 1, 2026

LifeLock logo

Closed · Deceptive advertising

LifeLock $100 Million FTC Settlement and Refunds

Up to $19.48 then up to $134.04 · ~$29 average FTC check · Closed April 29, 2016

University of Phoenix logo

Closed · Deceptive advertising

University of Phoenix $191 Million Settlement

About $310 average in round one · Paid 2021–2026 — no claim needed

Invitation Homes logo

Closed · Housing and rental fees

Invitation Homes $48 Million Junk Fee Settlement

About $106 average · Checks mailed March 2026 — no claim needed

More settlements people are checking

Payout status for other settlements we track, updated as administrators publish new information.