Business

Millions Who Used a Popular Pharmacy’s Website Can Claim Cash From a $20.5 Million Settlement

By Erica Coleman · October 14, 2026

If you have ever refilled a prescription online, checked a store’s weekly deals or clipped a coupon in a pharmacy app, you may be part of a class action settlement and not know it. A proposed $20.5 million settlement covers people who used CVS Pharmacy’s websites or app, and the window to file a claim is open now.

The case centers on what happened to information collected while people browsed. According to the court-authorized settlement website, the lawsuit involves the alleged disclosure of data from users of CVS digital properties to Criteo, an advertising technology company, or to other third parties through technology embedded on those sites, in violation of state and federal law. CNBC Select reported that the complaint cited the Federal Wiretap Act and the California Invasion of Privacy Act, among other statutes.

CVS and Criteo deny that they violated any law. The settlement website says they agreed to resolve the case to avoid the uncertainty and expense of continuing the lawsuit, and that the court has not decided who is right. In a statement to CNBC Select, CVS said it stands by its privacy practices and agreed to settle to avoid the expense and distraction of prolonged litigation.

Who is included. The eligibility rule is broad. The settlement website says anyone who accessed the CVS digital properties in the United States before July 27, 2026, is a class member. That includes cvs.com, cvshealth.com and the CVS app. Given how many people order prescriptions, schedule vaccines or check store hours online, a large share of adults could qualify.

How much you could get. The payments are modest, and they are not guaranteed. Class members can claim up to $5 without any documentation, or up to $10 with proof that they belong to the class. CNBC Select notes that proof could include email receipts or browser history records. The words “up to” matter. The final amount is subject to deductions for attorneys’ fees and other costs, so payments could come in lower than those figures.

The deadlines. Claims must be filed by November 16, 2026. CNBC Select reports the online cutoff is 11:59 p.m. Eastern time that day, and paper forms can be mailed to the settlement administrator. Anyone who wants to exclude themselves, keeping the right to bring their own case, or who wants to object to the terms must do so by November 1, 2026.

Approval is still pending. The court has not yet approved the deal. A final approval hearing is scheduled for December 1, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. Eastern, held virtually by Zoom, according to the settlement website. If the judge approves it, CNBC Select reports that cash payments would go out 120 days after final approval, by PayPal, Venmo, Zelle or paper check. Appeals could push that timeline back.

What happens if you do nothing. The settlement website is direct on this point. Class members who take no action will not get a payment, and they will still give up their right to sue the companies over the claims in the case.

For most people the decision is simple. Filing takes a few minutes, it costs nothing, and the no-documentation option means you do not need to dig through old emails to take part. Settlement notices also tend to draw copycat sites, so it is worth going straight to the official address rather than clicking a link in an unexpected email or text.

To check whether you qualify and file a claim before the November 16 deadline, visit the official settlement website at cvsdigitalprivacysettlement.com.