Cash App $12.5 Million Settlement: Washington Users Can Claim Up to $147 by October 27

Washington State Cash App users may be in for a payday this fall — and it’s not from Bitcoin or stock trades. It’s from a $12.5 million class action settlement that accuses Cash App’s parent company, Block Inc., of sending unsolicited promotional text messages to residents without consent. Eligible users could receive between $88 and $147 — but only if they file a claim by October 27, 2025.

The case, Bottoms v. Block Inc., shines a spotlight on digital marketing ethics and how state privacy laws are catching up with Silicon Valley’s biggest names.

What the Cash App Settlement Is About

At the heart of the case is Cash App’s referral program, a popular feature that rewarded users for inviting friends. But according to the lawsuit, the system went too far. The app allegedly sent automated promotional text messages to people who had never opted in or consented — a clear violation of Washington’s Commercial Electronic Mail Act (CEMA) and Consumer Protection Act (CPA).

While Block Inc. denies any wrongdoing, it agreed to settle to avoid a drawn-out trial. The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington approved the $12.5 million deal earlier this year, paving the way for refunds to Washington residents affected by the unauthorized texts between November 14, 2019, and August 7, 2025.

Settlement Summary	Details
Case Name	Bottoms v. Block Inc.
Settlement Fund	$12.5 million
Eligible Claimants	Washington residents who received Cash App referral texts without consent
Text Period	Nov 14, 2019 – Aug 7, 2025
Estimated Payout	$88 – $147
Claim Deadline	October 27, 2025
Official Website	BottomsTextSettlement.com

How the Lawsuit Started

The lawsuit was filed after Washington residents reported receiving Cash App referral messages they didn’t authorize — short, catchy texts encouraging them to sign up for the platform.

Plaintiffs argued these communications violated CEMA, which prohibits unsolicited commercial electronic messages, and the CPA, which safeguards consumers against deceptive or unfair business practices.

Cash App’s referral feature allegedly allowed users to trigger pre-written invitations to contacts, but those texts appeared to come directly from Cash App itself — not the user. That distinction, plaintiffs claimed, made them unsolicited corporate advertising, not peer-to-peer referrals.

The case gained traction as part of a broader wave of privacy-related suits targeting tech companies for automated marketing without consent — a trend that’s redefining how businesses handle user outreach.

Who Qualifies for a Payment

Only Washington residents qualify, and you must meet these criteria:

Eligibility Requirement	Description
Residency	Must currently live in Washington State
Message Period	Received a Cash App referral text between Nov 14, 2019, and Aug 7, 2025
Consent Status	Did not provide prior consent to receive promotional texts
Claim Deadline	Must submit claim by October 27, 2025

If you’re unsure whether you’re eligible, you can verify your phone number through the official settlement website: BottomsTextSettlement.com.

How to File a Claim

You have two options: online submission or mail-in form. The online method is faster and strongly recommended.

Online Submission

1. Go to BottomsTextSettlement.com.
2. Click “Submit Claim.”
3. Enter your name, phone number, and mailing address.
4. Certify that you did not consent to Cash App marketing texts.
5. Submit the form no later than October 27, 2025.

Mail Submission

If you prefer to mail your claim:
Send your completed form to:

Bottoms v. Block Settlement Administrator
P.O. Box 2631
Baton Rouge, LA 70821

For questions, you can email [email protected] or call 877-540-7545.

How Much You Could Get

Each eligible claimant will receive between $88 and $147, depending on the total number of valid claims filed. The fewer people who file, the larger the per-person payment.

Settlement Component	Details
Total Fund	$12.5 million
Estimated Payment Range	$88 – $147
Distribution Method	Direct deposit or check
Payment Date	After claim approval and court’s final review

Payments are expected to be sent shortly after the claim deadline, once all submissions are validated by the Settlement Administrator.

The Legal Teams Behind the Case

Two major consumer law firms represented the plaintiffs:

Legal Role	Representation
Plaintiffs’ Counsel	Terrell Marshall Law Group PLLC (Beth E. Terrell, Jennifer Rust Murray, Eden B. Nordby) and Berger Montague PC (Sophia M. Rios, E. Michelle Drake, Colleen Fewer)
Defense Counsel	Perkins Coie LLP (Cody W. S. Harris, Tana B. Glass, Manoj S. Samal Jr.)
Settlement Administrator	Bottoms v. Block Settlement Administrator

The firms negotiated the payout and compliance terms under court supervision, ensuring a fair and transparent claims process.

Why This Settlement Matters

Beyond the refunds, this case signals a turning point in digital privacy enforcement. Washington’s consumer protection laws are among the toughest in the country, and this settlement underscores that consent in marketing is not optional.

For tech companies, it’s a wake-up call: automated messages — even through referral systems — can violate state and federal privacy laws if sent without explicit permission.

For consumers, it’s proof that privacy rights have real value. Every unsolicited ping or promotional text could cost companies millions in legal exposure.

What Washington Residents Should Do Now

If you live in Washington and received a Cash App text that seemed unsolicited:

1. Go to BottomsTextSettlement.com.
2. Use the eligibility verification tool to check your phone number.
3. File your claim by October 27, 2025.
4. Choose your preferred payment method — direct deposit or check.

Missing the deadline means forfeiting your share of the settlement, so act early.

Broader Context: The Rise of Digital Consent Laws

Washington’s CEMA and CPA are part of a growing web of state-level privacy protections, similar to California’s Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and new frameworks in Colorado, Virginia, and Utah. Together, these laws are tightening the leash on how apps, retailers, and fintech firms handle customer communication.

The FTC has also ramped up scrutiny, warning tech companies that “refer-a-friend” features must adhere to truth-in-advertising and consent standards.

Cash App’s settlement is likely just the start — legal experts expect more cases challenging unwanted texts, push notifications, and in-app marketing campaigns across multiple platforms.

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