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Facebook Settlement Payout? Here’s the Easiest Way to Use It

by Josh Kirschner on September 26, 2025

After years of legal wrangling, the Facebook user privacy lawsuit has finally paid out. The case, In re: Facebook, Inc. Consumer Privacy User Profile Litigation, centered on allegations that Facebook shared user data with third parties without proper consent. In 2023, a $725 million settlement was reached, covering U.S. users who had accounts between May 24, 2007 and December 22, 2022. Eligible claimants who submitted a claim before the deadline last year are now finally receiving their payments.

The settlement administrator is distributing funds in several forms, including PayPal, Venmo, Zelle, direct deposit, and prepaid Mastercards. If you’re among those who received a virtual Mastercard, you may be wondering how best to use it, especially since prepaid cards can sometimes be tricky to spend down to the last cent.

The easiest solution I’ve found is to add the prepaid Mastercard directly to your Amazon account. From there, you can use it just like any other payment method, including applying the balance to purchase or refill an Amazon gift card. That way, the full amount transfers into your Amazon account balance, making it simple to use without worrying about partial charges.

For example, I recently received my virtual Mastercard worth $35.50. Adding it to my Amazon account and using the balance to refill my Amazon gift card worked seamlessly. If you’d like step-by-step instructions for how to do it, you can follow my detailed guide on How to Use Mastercard, Visa, Amex Gift Card on Amazon.

If you filed a valid claim and haven’t yet received your payment, keep an eye on your email and settlement notifications – the administrator is continuing to send them out.

[Image credit: AI-generated via DALL·E]


Topics

News, Blog, Facebook, Shopping


Discussion loading

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From dont need my name on September 29, 2025 :: 5:57 pm


i got an email saying 3-4 days and here it is 6 days and no money. says it will go to an e mastercard. i dont have a mastercard at all.

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From anonymous on September 29, 2025 :: 10:38 pm


try searching your email for the following. This is how i found my e-mastercard. Hope that helps.


subject: 
Facebook Consumer Privacy Settlement

email address:  facebookuserprivacysettlement@hawkmarketplace.com>

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From Joan on October 02, 2025 :: 11:21 am


I am in a catch-22 totally unable to use my electronic card - can’t get customer service - they don’t recognize my card number am in an endless loop.  I try to register online and it doesn’t recognize my card number either - am I caught in a scam?  It says card issued by Pathward?  A debit card for electronic commerce use?

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From Josh Kirschner on October 02, 2025 :: 11:51 am


Can you provide more detail? Who is it that doesn’t recognize your card and where are you trying to register? Amazon or elsewhere?

Yes, the debit card is issued by Pathward and works fine for ecommerce. Prepaid cards are debit cards, but work the same as a credit card.

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From kathleen on October 06, 2025 :: 3:53 pm


I got the prior emails letting me know about the coming settlement. Today I received an email announcing my prepaid card is ready and to follow a link with the passcode given as well. My question is; the email is from a company named Hawkmarketplace.com, nothing about Pathward. Is the email legit? Thanks a million.

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From Josh Kirschner on October 06, 2025 :: 9:20 pm


Yes, it’s legit. That’s where my email came from, as well. And I was also suspicious when I first saw it.

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From denise on October 09, 2025 :: 5:43 pm


That’s what I do whenever I receive a small digital credit card. Glad I opted for the paypal FB payout. I transferred it to my checking account with no problem.

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From Brenda on October 22, 2025 :: 11:37 am


I received the same email and I opted for the prepaid card. Filled out the necessary information for the card, agreed to the terms and e-signed. Clicked submit and received an error message that read ‘try again later’. Can’t go back and select a different payment option so I’m not sure what to do now.

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From Shirley 11/06/2025 on November 06, 2025 :: 11:40 am


I received email, have a virtual prepaid card, transferred it to Venmo 4 week later nothing came in Venmo. Prepaid card center says contact admin for disbursements? What is going on?

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