If you’ve recently received an Interac e-transfer for $36.29 from MNP, it’s part of the settlement for Facebook’s Sponsored Stories class action lawsuit.
The case centred on Facebook allegedly using users’ names and profile pictures in ads without their consent, violating privacy laws in B.C., Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Newfoundland and Labrador.
The settlement, approved earlier this year, saw $51 million CAD to be shared among eligible class members. These people were Facebook users in the above provinces between January 1, 2011, and May 30, 2014, who had their real names or identifiable photos used in Sponsored Story ads.
These ads showcased a user’s interaction with a business, like clicking “Like,” and displayed it to their Facebook friends.
Each eligible claimant was set to get paid $36.29, though the exact amount was determined by the number of claims made. Payments are handled by Calgary-based MNP, the court-appointed administrator of the settlement. We recently heard from you that you have been receiving Interac e-Transfers from MNP in the form of $36.29. That’s part of this settlement and not a scam, so rest assured. For those that have auto-deposits enabled, it typically can be unnerving to receive a random deposit.
What if you’re being asked to enter a security answer for this claim to be deposited? The answer is (case sensitive): Facebook
You may also want to check your email account’s spam folder if you’re not seeing anything. The emails are also coming from fa****************@*np.ca. They have been rolling out over the past week. What’s funny is that some people are receiving these deposits but emails are addressed to the wrong name. Looks to be a database issue?
No further action was required to participate if you didn’t opt out of the class action by 2020. MNP used contact details linked with eligible users to process payments. Now, enjoy the $36.29 in your bank account thanks to Meta (and for being a Facebook user).
Did you get your $36.29 payout recently via e-Transfer?
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I got such an email but when I go to deposit it, I am asked to enter a security answer. The clue is "Facebook Claim."
I'm stuck.
Okay got it by using just "Facebook."
the security answer is (case sensitive): Facebook
let me know if it worked!
Yes I already figured it out but thanks for replying.
I applied half a year ago and haven’t received any email yet. Did my application fail?@iphoneincanada:disqus
Mine just showed up today.
looks like these have been rolling out over the past few days. check spam folder as well if you haven't already
Just got mine directly deposited, a Google search on what mnp was led me to this page, I'll now go have a free lunch on Facebooks dime.
Mine came in to my email with a different person's name. Completely thought it was a scam. But I have had my email since the beginning of GMail. And it's my full name. They must have messed up the database a bit.
Very helpful, thanks. (What a miraculous era; virtually no question need go, unanswered!)
Totally forgot this was a thing… apparently my name is Carol lol
Were you still able to deposit it? They did that to me as well.
In related news, there is absolutely no movement on the other settlement, the Canadian iPhone Power Management Class Action. The last update was on October 14 and since then, crickets. They have been allegedly swamped due to high volumes but “continue to actively process claims”. The settlement has been approved by the court way back on March 4. That’s 299 days since. Do they have just one clerk processing the claims by hand?
I've been wondering about this one as well.
Just got mine 5 minutes ago … never knew I had been shown in a sponsored story in the first place.
Ok I just received the email this very second, but it is listed as a differant name! Debra Devalus! did anyone get the email with this name on it?
I had a different name on mine. I hadn't applied for it either. I'm assuming we can't deposit it?
I got the email but it wasn't my name they offered it to. I'm assuming it's useless?
Meta's claims administrator, MNP, is not quite doing their job properly. I received a notice in January 2024 alerting me to this class action, but since I am not in one of the four provinces I mostly ignored it because I'm not eligible (the email stated "If you were not a resident of one of the listed provinces during the time period above, you are not considered a class member and are not able to participate in this class action and may disregard the following notice" (emphasis added). Today I received the $36.29 – since I'm not eligible, I shouldn't have accepted the e-transfer, but since I have auto-deposit on, it's effectively too late. Being stuck with $36.29 I'm not entitled to is hardly a big problem, but there's no mechanism to return the funds.