If you have made a claim in the class-action settlement related to a long-standing bread price-fixing scheme, your money is en route. The disbursement process for approved Canadian claims commenced last week, managed by Verita, an unbiased administrator for the settlement. Due to the plethora of approved claims, payments are being distributed gradually, as detailed on the settlement website.
The Competition Bureau initiated an investigation in 2016, leading to admissions from Weston Foods and Loblaw that they partook in an “industry-wide price-fixing arrangement,” allegedly inflating the price of a loaf of bread by $1.50. In 2024, Loblaw and its parent company, George Weston Ltd., agreed to a $500 million settlement for the class-action lawsuit.
Individuals residing in Canada who purchased bread for personal use between 2001 and 2021 were eligible to claim a portion of the settlement funds, with no requirement for proof of purchase. The deadline for claims was December 12 of the previous year.
The settlement amount varies based on whether claimants previously received a $25 card from the Loblaw Card Program, which was distributed in 2018 as a gesture of goodwill for their involvement in the scheme. Those who did not receive the card will receive $49.11, while card recipients will get $24.11, according to the bread settlement site.
Claimants will receive their funds via Interac e-transfer or check, depending on their chosen method during the claim submission. Verita’s website cautions claimants to be vigilant against fraud, as fraudulent messages related to the payouts have been reported. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre disclosed receiving nine reports of phishing text messages in March linked to the settlement, all requesting personal information like name, address, date of birth, and credit card details.
Legitimate e-transfer emails will solely originate from notify@payments.interac.ca, as stated on the claim website. Claimants are advised not to click on any links or respond to texts purportedly from Verita, as they do not communicate or distribute payments via text messages.
