If you entered into a rent-to-own agreement with Acceptance Now in California and were charged a processing fee, you may be entitled to cash payments from a $14 million class action settlement, and you don’t have to file a claim to receive it.
This settlement is already preliminarily approved, and eligible consumers will automatically receive payment unless they opt out.
Why This Lawsuit Exists?
The lawsuit, McBurnie, et al. v. Acceptance Now, LLC (Case No. 3:21-cv-01429-JD), alleges that RAC Acceptance East, LLC unlawfully charged a $45 processing fee to California customers who entered into rental-purchase agreements through Acceptance Now kiosks.
Plaintiffs claimed this fee violated several California consumer protection laws, including:
The Karnette Rental-Purchase Act
The Consumers Legal Remedies Act
The California Unfair Competition Law
Acceptance Now denied the allegations but agreed to settle to avoid the cost and uncertainty of continued litigation.
Who Qualifies?
You are likely a class member if all of the following are true:
You entered into a rental-purchase (rent-to-own) agreement with RAC Acceptance East, LLC
The agreement was made in California
The agreement was entered between December 11, 2016 and June 30, 2021
You were charged a processing fee
The agreement was made through an Acceptance Now kiosk
How Much Can You Get?
Eligible class members may receive two types of payments:
Processing Fee Refund
A refund of the full dollar amount of each processing fee paid
Consumers who paid multiple processing fees will receive payment for each transaction
Statutory Damage Payment
Remaining settlement funds will be distributed to class members who entered agreements between December 11, 2019 and June 30, 2021
Payments are calculated proportionally based on qualifying transactions
The exact amount varies depending on how much you paid and how many qualifying transactions exist.
Your Options
| Option | What It Means | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Do Nothing (Stay In) | Automatically receive payment if eligible | No action needed |
| Choose Payment Method | Select electronic payment instead of a check | Before payout |
| Opt Out | Keep the right to sue separately | Feb. 9, 2026 |
| Object | Tell the court you disagree | Feb. 9, 2026 |
How to File a Claim?
No claim form required
Payments will be sent by paper check to your last known address or
Electronic payment (Venmo, PayPal, or direct deposit) if you choose online
To select electronic payment, you’ll need the Claimant ID and access code from your settlement notice
If you believe you qualify but didn’t receive a notice, contact the settlement administrator through the official website.
Payments will be issued after final court approval, which is scheduled for March 12, 2026, assuming no delays.
If Acceptance Now charged you a processing fee in California, this settlement is designed to put that money back in your hands automatically. The key decision is whether you want to stay in and get paid, or opt out before the deadline.
