It has finally arrived, no more waiting: the gas refund check is now a reality in California. After a 50 million dollar legal settlement reached between the State and three companies accused of manipulating gasoline prices in 2015, thousands of residents in 10 counties in California could receive a small refund of between $21 to $75 per vehicle. If you want to know what is happening in California, we tell you everything below.
What is the gas refund?
Back in 2020, the California Attorney General’s Office filed a lawsuit against three firms, Vitol Inc., SK Energy Americas Inc. and SK Trading International for having manipulated gasoline prices in 2015 after the Torrance refinery exploded. Of course, that gasoline price increase negatively impacted the pockets of Californians, and now the lawsuit has been completed because they ruled in favor of the Attorney General. We have a refund.
Why is this happening?
As we said, the explosion of Torrance, one of the most famous refineries in the State, marked a before and after for everyone, especially for the three companies we mentioned before, who took advantage of this situation to fill their pockets at the expense of residents: unjustifiably increasing fuel prices (especially in the south of the state). Right after noticing that price hike, the California Attorney General, Rob Bonta, sued the facts, reaching a $50 million settlement in 2024, of which $37.5 million will go directly to the affected users as a refund (while the rest will go to consumer protection funds).
Who qualifies to receive the gas refund?
All users who bought gasoline between February 20 and November 10, 2015, at any of the gas stations in: Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Kern, Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Imperial qualify for this refund.
The deadline to file claims ended on January 8, 2025, so it is no longer possible to register, as clarified by the Office of Attorney General Rob Bonta.
How much money are drivers receiving?
Some Californians have already confirmed that they have received approximate payments of $21, and others have confirmed having received $75. The amount received will depend on how many valid claims are submitted per vehicle, so, if you have several vehicles, do not hesitate to claim this money!
How and when are payments being sent?
The payments have already started, it was on April 29 and will be sent over the coming weeks. Depending on the option you chose to receive the money, it will arrive sooner or later (some chose Paypal, Venmo, Zelle, or even people who preferred a physical check). What you do need to be clear about is that you have 180 days to cash paper checks, so be careful not to miss the deadline.
And if you have not received the payment?
Consumers’ rights are not to be messed with, it seems like a symbolic gesture because $20 does not fix anything in anyone’s economy, but anti-competitive practices must have consequences, and in this case, they are having them!