Cash App Spam Text Lawsuit Washington Settlement You Have Until October 27 to Claim Your Cash App Settlement Money $88-$147
If you’re a Washington resident who received unsolicited Cash App referral texts, you could be entitled to compensation from a $12.5 million settlement. Here’s everything you need to know.
Cash App (owned by Block Inc.) has agreed to pay $12.5 million to settle allegations that it violated Washington state law by sending spam text messages to residents without their consent.
Washington residents who received Cash App referral program text messages between November 14, 2019, and August 7, 2025, and did not clearly consent to these messages may qualify for compensation ranging from $88 to $147 per person.
The claim deadline is October 27, 2025 — just weeks away.
Claim For For Cash App Spam Text Lawsuit Submit a Claim
Table of Contents
What Makes This Settlement Significant?
Here’s a stunning statistic: Americans received over 160 billion spam text messages in 2024 alone, according to Robokiller.
This Cash App settlement represents one of the largest consumer protection victories specifically targeting mobile app referral programs that skirt consent requirements.
This isn’t Cash App’s first major settlement — the company previously paid $15 million to resolve a separate data breach case in 2024.
The Legal Violations Behind the Lawsuit
What Cash App Did Wrong
According to the class action lawsuit, Cash App violated Washington’s Commercial Electronic Mail Act (CEMA) and the Washington Consumer Protection Act (CPA) by sending unsolicited text messages to users.
Here’s what happened:
Cash App created an “Invite Friends” feature that incentivized users to send pre-filled text messages to their contacts in exchange for a $5 referral bonus. The problem? Recipients never consented to receive these commercial messages.
Think of it this way: Your friend didn’t personally write you a message. Cash App wrote it and used your friend’s number to blast out marketing.
Washington’s Unique Consumer Protection Laws
Washington state has some of the strictest anti-spam laws in the nation.
Under CEMA, companies face a $500 statutory penalty for every commercial text message sent to Washington residents without proper consent. Unlike other consumer protection laws, CEMA doesn’t require victims to prove actual damages.
This makes Washington particularly hostile territory for companies playing fast and loose with text messaging consent.
Washington’s CEMA law prohibits advertising text messages regardless of whether they were sent by an auto-dialer, and holds companies liable if they “initiate or assist in the transmission” of advertising texts.
Cash App “assisted” by creating the referral system, providing the pre-written messages, and incentivizing users to send them.
Breaking Down the $12.5 Million Settlement
Who Gets Paid?
The settlement benefits individuals who received a Cash App referral program text message between November 14, 2019, and August 7, 2025, while living in Washington and who did not clearly and affirmatively consent to receive the message.
How Much Can You Expect?
According to the settlement website BottomsTextSettlement.com, each eligible class member is estimated to receive between $88 and $147.
This represents approximately 17% to 29% of the $500 statutory damage per violation allowed under CEMA, with the remainder covering attorney’s fees, administrative expenses, and service awards.
Your actual payment depends on how many people file claims. Fewer claims = larger individual payments.
No Admission of Wrongdoing
Cash App has not admitted any wrongdoing but agreed to this $12.5 million settlement to resolve the allegations.
This is standard legal language in settlements — companies pay to make the problem go away without technically admitting fault.
How to Check If You’re Eligible
Ask yourself these four questions:
- Did you receive a text message about Cash App’s referral program from someone you know?
- Were you living in Washington at the time you received it?
- Did you receive it between November 14, 2019, and August 7, 2025?
- Did you NOT give clear, advance permission to receive Cash App marketing texts?
If you answered yes to all four, you likely qualify.
What the Messages Looked Like
These weren’t texts from Cash App directly. They came from your friends’ phone numbers but contained Cash App’s pre-written promotional language about earning money through referrals.
If you received something like: “Hey! I’m using Cash App to send money and spend with the Cash Card. Try it using my code and we’ll each get $5. [referral code]” — that’s likely a qualifying message.
Step-by-Step Guide to Filing Your Claim
Required Information
To submit a valid claim, you must provide the phone number where you received the Cash App referral text message and attest that you received one or more messages, that you own or regularly use that number, that you were a Washington resident when you received the messages, and that you did not clearly consent in advance.
You won’t need to provide proof like screenshots (though keeping them doesn’t hurt). The claim form relies on attestation under penalty of perjury.
Filing Process
- Visit the official settlement website: BottomsTextSettlement.com
- Complete the online claim form with your contact information and phone number
- Attest to the required statements about receiving the texts and being a Washington resident
- Submit by October 27, 2025 — this is a hard deadline
Warning: You are submitting your claim under penalty of perjury. Filing a fraudulent claim harms other eligible class members and could result in legal consequences.
Alternative Filing Methods
You can also submit a claim by mail:
Bottoms v Block Settlement Administrator
P.O. Box 2631
Baton Rouge, LA 70821
Or call: 877-540-7545
Mail and phone claims must still be completed by October 27, 2025.
Important Dates and Deadlines
- Claim Deadline: October 27, 2025
- Exclusion/Objection Deadline: October 27, 2025
- Final Approval Hearing: December 2, 2025
- Expected Payment Date: 60-90 days after final approval (estimated February-March 2026)
Miss the October 27 deadline and you forfeit your right to compensation — no exceptions.
What If You Want to Opt Out or Object?
Opting Out (Exclusion)
If you don’t want to be part of the settlement, you must submit an exclusion request by October 27, 2025.
Why would you opt out? If you believe you have a stronger individual case worth more than $88-$147, exclusion preserves your right to sue Cash App separately.
Objecting to the Settlement
Think the settlement terms are unfair? You can file a written objection explaining why, but you’ll still be bound by whatever the court decides.
Objections must also be submitted by October 27, 2025.
The Broader Impact on Consumer Protection
A Growing Trend in Text Message Litigation
In recent months, class actions alleging CEMA violations have been filed against multiple companies including Robinhood and Capital One for similar referral program practices.
In 2024, a Washington federal judge approved a $9 million settlement for a CEMA case against Robinhood stemming from its refer-a-friend program.
Companies are learning the hard way: Washington doesn’t mess around when it comes to unsolicited commercial texts.
What This Means for Your Digital Rights
This settlement establishes important precedent:
Companies cannot hide behind their users to send marketing messages. Even if your friend sends the text, the company that designed, incentivized, and provided the message content can be held liable.
“Implied consent” isn’t enough under Washington law. Recipients must “clearly and affirmatively” consent — and downloading an app doesn’t constitute blanket permission for marketing texts.
The $500 per-message penalty creates massive exposure. With potentially millions of texts sent, companies face billions in theoretical liability, forcing substantial settlements.
Why Cash App’s Referral Program Crossed the Line
The Consent Problem
When you sign up for Cash App, you might consent to receive texts from Cash App directly.
But you never consented to receive texts from random phone numbers (your friends and acquaintances) containing Cash App marketing materials.
The plaintiff, Kimberly Bottoms, argued that she received text messages from people using the Invite Friends feature without her consent. She filed the lawsuit against Block in November 2023.
How Referral Programs Typically Work
Legitimate referral programs work like this:
- You tell your company you want to invite a friend
- You compose a personal message in your own words
- You send it from your own messaging app
Cash App’s program worked differently:
- Cash App pre-wrote marketing copy
- Cash App auto-filled your friend’s contact information
- Cash App incentivized you with money to blast their message
See the difference? One is genuine peer-to-peer communication. The other is company-initiated marketing disguised as personal communication.
Related Consumer Protection Concerns
If You’ve Also Experienced Identity Theft or Data Breaches
Washington residents dealing with multiple consumer protection issues may benefit from understanding their rights across different violations.
For those who’ve experienced identity theft, a consumer protection attorney who handles identity theft cases can help you understand your legal options beyond just spam text settlements.
Understanding Your Consumer Law Rights
If you’re dealing with unfair business practices beyond spam texts, a consumer law attorney in Houston or your local area can provide guidance on related issues like deceptive advertising or predatory lending.
The principles underlying the Cash App settlement — that companies must respect consumer consent and can’t hide behind technical workarounds — apply to many areas of consumer law.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I received a qualifying text message?
If you received a text from a friend’s phone number (not from Cash App directly) that promoted Cash App’s referral program and offered money for signing up, it likely qualifies. The message would have contained language about getting $5 or another cash bonus.
What if I deleted the text message?
You don’t need to provide proof. The claim form relies on your attestation under penalty of perjury. As long as you genuinely remember receiving such a message while living in Washington during the class period, you can file a claim.
Can I claim for multiple text messages?
The settlement provides one payment per class member, regardless of how many qualifying texts you received. You can’t multiply your compensation by claiming you got five different referral texts.
What if I wasn’t a Washington resident for the entire period?
You only need to have been a Washington resident at the time you received the message(s). If you moved to Washington in 2023 and received a qualifying text that year, you’re eligible.
How long after filing will I receive payment?
Payments typically go out 60-90 days after the final approval hearing on December 2, 2025. Expect payment around February or March 2026 if the settlement is approved.
What if the court doesn’t approve the settlement?
If the judge rejects the settlement at the December 2 hearing, the case would continue to litigation. However, preliminary approval has already been granted, making final approval likely.
Will filing a claim affect my Cash App account?
No. Filing a legitimate claim will not result in Cash App closing your account or restricting your access to their services.
Can I file a claim if I actually consented to marketing messages?
No. The settlement only covers people who did NOT clearly and affirmatively consent. If you checked a box agreeing to receive marketing texts from Cash App’s partners, you’re not eligible.
What happens to unclaimed money?
Any settlement funds not claimed by class members may be distributed via cy pres to consumer protection organizations, though the specific terms are subject to court approval.
Do I need a lawyer to file a claim?
No. The claims process is designed for individuals to complete without legal representation. However, if you have questions, you can contact the settlement administrator at 877-540-7545.
Can I claim if I no longer live in Washington?
Yes, as long as you were a Washington resident when you received the qualifying text message(s). Your current residence doesn’t matter.
What if I used to use Cash App but deleted my account?
Your eligibility is based on where you lived when you received the text message, not whether you currently use Cash App. Former users can still claim.
What Happens Next?
Timeline to Approval
The final approval hearing for the Cash App settlement is scheduled for December 2, 2025.
At this hearing, the judge will:
- Review any objections filed by class members
- Evaluate the fairness of the settlement terms
- Approve or deny the attorney’s fee request
- Issue a final order approving or rejecting the settlement
Payment Distribution
If approved, the settlement administrator will begin processing payments within 60-90 days.
Payments will be issued either by check (mailed to your address) or potentially via electronic payment, depending on your preference indicated on the claim form.
Lessons for Other Companies
This settlement sends a clear message to tech companies and mobile apps:
Referral marketing isn’t free rein to spam. Even creative workarounds like having users send messages “on your behalf” don’t absolve you of liability under Washington’s strict anti-spam laws.
The cost of non-compliance is steep. At $500 per violation, the potential damages from a single campaign could exceed your marketing budget by 1000x.
“Opt-out” isn’t enough in Washington. The state requires “opt-in” — clear, affirmative, advance consent. Silence or inaction doesn’t equal permission.
Protecting Yourself from Future Spam
Know Your Rights
Under Washington law, you have the right to:
- Receive commercial texts only after providing clear consent
- Opt out of marketing messages at any time
- Sue companies that violate these protections for $500 per message
What You Can Do
- Read the fine print when signing up for apps. Look for language about text message marketing.
- Respond “STOP” to unwanted marketing texts. Companies must honor opt-out requests.
- Report violations to the Washington Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division.
- Save evidence of spam texts, including screenshots showing the sender’s number and message content.
Case Details and Legal Representation
Official Case Information
Case Name: Bottoms v. Block Inc.
Case Number: 2:23-cv-01969-MJP
Court: U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
Class Counsel
The case is being handled by experienced consumer protection attorneys:
Terrell Marshall Law Group PLLC
- Beth E. Terrell
- Jennifer Rust Murray
- Eden B. Nordby
Berger Montague PC
- Sophia M. Rios
- E. Michelle Drake
- Colleen Fewer
Defense Counsel
Block Inc. is represented by:
Perkins Coie LLP
- Cody W. S. Harris
- Tana B. Glass
- Manoj S. Samal Jr.
Don’t Leave Money on the Table
With payments estimated between $88 and $147, this settlement offers meaningful compensation for what was essentially spam.
Many Washington residents qualify but don’t realize it — they’ve forgotten about texts received years ago or didn’t recognize them as part of Cash App’s marketing scheme.
Take five minutes to file your claim before October 27, 2025.
Contact Information
Settlement Administrator:
Claims Administrator
Bottoms v Block Settlement Administrator
P.O. Box 2631 Baton Rouge, LA 70821
877-540-7545
Official Settlement Website: BottomsTextSettlement.com
The Bigger Picture: Your Digital Consumer Rights
This Cash App settlement is part of a larger movement holding tech companies accountable for digital communication practices.
As more of our lives move online and into mobile apps, these legal protections become increasingly important. Companies can’t treat your phone number as free advertising space, even if they use clever technical workarounds.
Washington’s aggressive enforcement of CEMA provides a blueprint for other states considering similar consumer protections. It also demonstrates that class action lawsuits can effectively police corporate behavior in the digital economy.
Your participation in settlements like this one — even for relatively modest amounts — sends companies a message: consumers are paying attention, and violations have consequences.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific questions about your eligibility or claim, contact the settlement administrator or consult with a consumer protection attorney.
Don’t wait until it’s too late. File your claim today and hold Cash App accountable for their spam text practices.
About the Author
Sarah Klein, JD, is a licensed attorney and legal content strategist with over 12 years of experience across civil, criminal, family, and regulatory law. At All About Lawyer, she covers a wide range of legal topics — from high-profile lawsuits and courtroom stories to state traffic laws and everyday legal questions — all with a focus on accuracy, clarity, and public understanding.
Her writing blends real legal insight with plain-English explanations, helping readers stay informed and legally aware.
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