Remember that bulky old TV you had in the '90s? You might be owed money

Most TVs in the ’90s and early ’00s used Cathode Ray Tubes (CRT), which gave them a prominent bulge at the back. But it wasn’t just TVs, as many computer monitors used the same technology. This technology is back in the news for all the wrong reasons.

Read on for details on a class-action lawsuit settlement to determine if you’re owed.

TV manufacturers accused of price gouging

Thankfully, CRT TVs aren’t recalled due to dangerous components or lead paint. While that was a primary ingredient in many toys in the ’80s, there is a class-action lawsuit against Mitsubishi for allegedly conspiring with other CRT manufacturers for price gouging.

According to court documentation, this “caused consumers to pay more for CRTs and products containing CRTs, such as TVs and computer monitors” between 1995 and 2007. You can file a claim against the $33 million settlement if you are eligible for compensation.

This lawsuit is in addition to previous claims against other manufacturers such as LG, Philips, Panasonic, Hitachi, Toshiba and Samsung. 

How to file a claim for CRT TV price gouging

The deadline to file a claim is June 13, 2023. To be eligible, you must have bought a CRT TV or monitor between March 1, 1995, and Nov. 25, 2007. The claim is only for people who bought the gadgets through third-party sellers like Best Buy or other retailers and not directly from the manufacturer.

If you are eligible and want to file a claim, you must complete and submit a Claim Form. It’s an easy form to fill out. Even better, you don’t need to provide proof that you purchased a CRT TV or monitor. The amount you receive will be based on the number of people filing claims.

“If you submitted a valid claim in connection with the Prior Settlements and you do not submit a claim in the New Settlement, then your valid claim in the Prior Settlements will be automatically submitted in the New Settlement without further action by you,” the documentation explains.

You can exclude yourself from any claim or object by April 14 or attend the court hearing on June 1 if you want to make representations.

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See why insurance denied your claim: This free tool from ProPublica walks you through the steps to see every scrap of info your insurance company legally has to provide.

He spent a year 'on Mars'

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Last year, four NASA volunteers entered a Mars simulation in Houston. They just came out out isolation. Dr. Nathan Jones, the Crew Medical Officer of the mission, tells us what it was like. Plus, how to claim your Cash App settlement, and a Facebook missing person scam.

✈️ Faster flights? Yes, please: If all goes well, an XB-1 commercial plane nicknamed the “Son of Concorde” will hit Mach 1, or about 767 miles per hour, and break the sound barrier next week. How will it feel as a passenger? No extreme g-forces — just a slight pull as it reaches supersonic speeds. You’ll be finishing your peanuts in the baggage claim!

Trivia

There’s a new theory making the rounds on TikTok all about generational texting. The claim is that your texting technique is a solid tell for your age. So, how does Gen Z text? Is it with … A.) One thumb, C.) Two thumbs, C.) Two thumbs and an index finger, or D.) An index finger?

Find the answer here!

8 million 

Views on a fake tweet about Elon Musk. It claims an Immigration and Customs Enforcement hotline got shut down because 90% of calls were about him. Musk is an immigrant from South Africa who became a U.S. citizen. Don’t share if it pops up on your feed.

Six in 10 companies are firing Gen Z workers — often, just months after hiring them fresh out of college. They claim Gen Zers are struggling with communication, professionalism and motivation. Their ex-bosses also say they constantly need direction and have trouble showing up to work.

NYC to London in 1.5 hours: NASA’s officially working on commercial aircraft with speeds between Mach 2 and Mach 4, or from 1,535 to 3,045 miles per hour — twice the F/A-18’s Mach 1.8. That’s so fast your in-flight peanuts will catch up with you at the baggage claim.

Lost my appetite: Viral posts on X claim celebrities like Whoopi Goldberg, Tom Hanks and Robert De Niro are being banned from restaurants. The posts started as satire on Facebook, and now people are sharing “facts.” Don’t be one of them.

Medical claim denied? Take this next step

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Your medical claim gets rejected, sticking you with a hefty bill and no explanation. But don’t worry, there’s a hidden trick you can use to fight back.

🤑 The check is in the mail: Payments are on the way for folks who bought a MacBook between 2015 and 2019 with a defective butterfly keyboard. If you filed a claim, you’ll get $50 to $395 soon. Woohoo!

$400 AI toothbrush

Oral-B’s iO Series 10 is the latest in the “AI-fication” of everything. Its sensors claim to “personalize” your brushing experience. Don’t bother. They stopped supporting their over-$200 Alexa-enabled toothbrush less than four years after launch.

Your medical claim was denied: And all you got was a form letter. Legally, your insurance company has to send you any relevant info if you know what to ask for. Try this free tool from Pro Publica for help.

If your business accepted Visa and Mastercard between Jan. 1, 2004, and Jan. 25, 2019, you might be eligible for part of a $5.5 billion settlement. It stems from excessive transaction fees, and businesses that have since closed or gone bankrupt can still qualify. File your claim here before May 31. I did.

Going shopping? AI is watching you

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Sam’s Club is using AI to check what’s in your shopping cart — it’s supposed to make your trip to the store 23% faster. When will humans go extinct? Scientists claim to know when. Plus, precise friend-tracking with the iPhone 15, and a Dropbox data breach.

If you have a Ring doorbell, check your PayPal account: Amazon’s Ring is coughing up a $5.6 million settlement. A May 2023 FTC complaint accused the doorbell cam giant of skimping on security, which allowed hackers and Ring’s own employees to access private video feeds and accounts. If you filled out a claim, you have 30 days to collect it.

Acts Retirement Services data breach: It happened in 2022. If you had an account with them, you could get $25 per hour for the time you spent dealing with the breach. And if your identity was stolen, get up to $3,500. Submit your claim by May 1.

Haulin’ oats: TikTok’s latest weight loss fad is “oatzempic” — a mixture of oats, water and lime juice folks claim helps you lose 40 pounds in two months. A little extra fiber never hurts, but spoiler: This is an overhyped trend, not a weight loss miracle.

Your old photos are worth money to AI

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Big tech will pay top dollar for your cringey Myspace pics. Plus, how to file a claim in Walmart’s $45 million lawsuit (you could get $500), phony AI image generators run wild on Facebook, and Disney+ stops password sharing. And all the weird stuff you can gamble on online!

💰 Hefty cashback: Walmart is coughing up $45 million to settle a class-action lawsuit for allegedly overcharging us on weighted goods and bagged citrus from October 2018 to January 2024. Got squeezed? You could get up to $500 if you file a claim by June 5, 2024 — no receipt is needed, but proof of your purchase might fatten your check.