Proof of Purchase for Class Action Claims: What You Need

Proof of purchase is documentation that shows you actually bought the product or used the service at the center of a class action settlement. It is the most common type of evidence a settlement administrator requests when you file a claim form. Acceptable proof can include receipts, bank statements, order confirmations, or even photos of the product packaging.

Not every settlement requires proof of purchase. Many allow you to file a claim based solely on your sworn statement that you bought the product. However, settlements that offer different payout tiers often give more money to claimants who provide documentation.

What Counts as Proof of Purchase

The specific documentation accepted varies from settlement to settlement, but here are the most commonly accepted forms:

• Store receipts. Paper or digital receipts from the retailer where you made the purchase. These are the gold standard of proof.
• Bank or credit card statements. Statements showing the transaction amount, date, and retailer. Most administrators accept these even if the specific product is not listed on the statement.
• Online order confirmations. Email confirmations from Amazon, Walmart, Target, or any online retailer showing the product name and purchase date.
• Shipping confirmations. Delivery notifications that show the product was shipped to your address.
• UPC barcodes. The barcode from the product packaging. Some settlements specifically ask for the UPC code as proof.
• Photos of the product. Pictures showing you have the product in your possession. Some settlements accept this as sufficient proof.
• Loyalty card records. Purchase history from store loyalty programs like CVS ExtraCare, Walgreens Balance Rewards, or grocery store membership cards.
• Warranty registration. If you registered the product for a warranty, that record can serve as proof of purchase.

Settlements Without Proof of Purchase

Many class action settlements do not require any proof of purchase at all. These no-proof settlements typically ask you to sign a declaration under penalty of perjury stating that you purchased the product during the relevant time period. This sworn statement serves as your proof.

No-proof settlements are common for inexpensive consumer products where it would be unreasonable to expect people to have kept receipts. The trade-off is that payouts for no-proof claims are usually lower. For example, a settlement might pay:

• $5 per product without proof of purchase
• $20 per product with a receipt or bank statement

Browse our list of current settlements that do not require proof to see what you can file right now.

How to Find Old Proof of Purchase

If a settlement requires proof but you do not think you have it, try these strategies before giving up:

1. Search your email. Search for the product name, retailer name, or "order confirmation" in your email inbox. Online purchases from the past several years are usually findable this way.
2. Check bank and credit card statements. Most banks allow you to search transaction history going back several years online. Look for purchases from the retailer or in the amount you would have paid.
3. Look at Amazon order history. Amazon keeps your complete order history, which can go back more than a decade. Search for the product name in Your Orders.
4. Check store loyalty accounts. If you have a loyalty card for the store where you bought the product, log in to your account and check your purchase history.
5. Look at your phone photos. If you ever took a photo of the product or its packaging, your phone's photo library may have it. Check the date range when you think you made the purchase.

Why Some Settlements Require Proof and Others Do Not

The decision about whether to require proof of purchase is made during settlement negotiations and must be approved by the court. Several factors influence this:

• Product price. Expensive products are more likely to require proof because the payouts are larger and the risk of fraudulent claims is higher.
• Product type. Products that consumers are likely to keep receipts for (electronics, appliances) are more likely to require proof than everyday items (toothpaste, snack foods).
• Size of the settlement fund. When the fund is large relative to the expected number of claims, administrators may be more lenient about proof requirements.
• Fraud prevention. The court wants to ensure that only genuine purchasers receive payouts. Proof requirements help filter out fraudulent claims.

Tips for Keeping Proof of Purchase

Going forward, a few simple habits can make it much easier to file class action claims:

• Take a quick photo of receipts before throwing them away
• Save order confirmation emails in a dedicated folder
• Use a credit or debit card instead of cash for trackable purchase history
• Sign up for store loyalty programs to create a purchase record
• Keep product packaging for at least a few months after purchase

Frequently Asked Questions

What counts as proof of purchase for a class action?

Acceptable proof of purchase varies by settlement but commonly includes store receipts, bank or credit card statements showing the purchase, online order confirmations, shipping confirmations, UPC barcodes from product packaging, photos of the product, and loyalty card records. The specific requirements are listed in the settlement notice and claim form.

Can I file a class action claim without proof of purchase?

Yes, many class action settlements allow you to file a claim without proof of purchase, though you may receive a lower payout. These no-proof settlements typically require you to attest under penalty of perjury that you purchased the product. Some settlements do not require proof at all.

Does proof of purchase increase my class action payout?

In many settlements, yes. Claimants who provide proof of purchase often receive a higher payout tier than those who file without documentation. For example, a settlement might pay $5 without proof and $20 with proof for each qualifying product purchased.

Related Terms

• Claim Form — The form where you submit your proof of purchase
• Settlement Administrator — Who reviews your proof and processes your claim
• Class Member — Who qualifies to submit proof and file a claim
• Settlement Fund — The pool of money available for payouts