You’ve probably seen the ads. They pop up on TikTok or Instagram with some guy showing off a $40 check from a soft drink company or a $150 settlement from a data breach. The hook is always the same: "Companies owe you money, and you're just leaving it on the table." It sounds like a dream. In reality, the claim make them pay app—often listed under names like Claim, Payout, or PayMe—is a polarizing piece of tech that sits right at the intersection of "legal goldmine" and "subscription trap."
Honestly, the idea is brilliant. Every year, corporations settle massive class-action lawsuits for everything from "natural" labeling that isn't actually natural to massive security lapses that leaked your email. Most people never file a claim because the paperwork is a nightmare. This app promises to do the heavy lifting for you. But before you start spending that "found money," there are some things you really need to know about how this actually works in 2026.
The Reality of the Claim Make Them Pay App
So, what is it? Basically, it’s an aggregator. It scans current class-action settlements and matches them to your shopping habits or the services you use. If you bought a specific brand of tuna between 2018 and 2024, the app flags it. If you had an account with a major bank that got caught charging illegal overdraft fees, it tells you.
The developer behind many of these iterations, often listed as BURD LLC or My Art Project, has hit a nerve. Since its viral explosion in mid-2025, the app has seen millions of downloads. People love the idea of "settling the score." But the "make them pay" part of the name is a bit of a misnomer. The companies have already agreed to pay; the app just helps you get in line.
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How much can you actually get?
The app’s marketing might suggest thousands of dollars, but the math is a bit more sober. According to data from Appfigures, while some users do hit "jackpots" from data breaches—like the recent $177 million AT&T settlement where some documented losses could reach $2,500—most consumer product settlements are tiny. We’re talking $5 to $15.
Here’s the kicker: class-action settlements are usually a fixed "pot" of money. If the pot is $10 million and 1 million people file a claim, everyone gets $10. If an app makes it incredibly easy for everyone to file, the individual payouts actually get smaller. It’s a weird paradox. The more successful the app is, the less money you might personally receive.
The Cost of "Free" Money
This is where things get sticky. The claim make them pay app isn't a charity. It’s a business. And its business model is built on aggressive subscriptions.
To even see your "potential" matches, many versions of the app hit you with a hard paywall. You might see a screen saying you have "$1,200 in potential claims," but to unlock the details, you have to subscribe.
Current pricing usually looks like this:
- Weekly Pro Plan: $5.99 to $9.99 per week.
- Annual Unlimited: $39.99 to $59.99 per year.
Think about that for a second. If you pay $60 for a year and only successfully claim $45 from a few lawsuits, you’ve actually lost money. Users like "MrGeekguy" on the App Store have called this out, noting that the "potential" money often doesn't materialize, or the claims take 6–12 months to actually pay out.
Why the ratings are so confusing
If you look at the App Store, you'll see thousands of 5-star reviews mixed with vitriolic 1-star warnings. There’s a reason for that. Many users have reported being forced to rate the app before they can even use it. This is a common "growth hack," but it makes it hard to trust the overall score. You have to read the actual text of the reviews to see the frustration regarding the recurring billing.
Privacy: The Trade-off Nobody Talks About
To find settlements for you, the claim make them pay app needs to know who you are and what you buy. Their privacy policy is a long read, but the gist is that they collect "Personal info" and "Files and docs."
In some cases, the app asks you to link your email or even your bank account via services like Plaid to "scan" for eligible purchases. While this is technically efficient, you are handing over a massive amount of data to a third-party app. They use this to verify that you actually bought the "Guacamole-Flavored Chips" involved in a false advertising suit.
But as the 2017 Equifax breach taught us, any database of personal info is a target. It’s a bit ironic to use an app to claim money from a data breach while potentially increasing your own digital footprint.
Legitimate Alternatives and Better Ways
You don’t actually need an app to do this. All class-action settlements are public record. Sites like OpenClassActions.com or the FTC’s official refund page provide the same information for free. They don't take a cut, and they don't charge a weekly subscription.
If you prefer the app experience, there are competitors like Settlemate or Collectively. Collectively, for instance, often takes a "contingency fee" (they take a percentage of the money you actually get) rather than charging you a monthly fee up-front. This feels a bit more honest to many users because the app only makes money if you do.
What to do if you've already signed up
If you downloaded the app and realized it’s not for you, don’t just delete the icon. Deleting the app does not cancel the subscription. You have to go into your iPhone or Android subscription settings and manually cancel it there. Many people forget this and find themselves out $24 a month for an app they haven't opened in weeks.
Practical Steps to "Getting Paid" Safely
If you’re determined to use the claim make them pay app or any similar service, play it smart. Don’t just click "Allow" on everything.
- Check the "Potential" vs. "Guaranteed": If an app says you have $5,000 waiting without asking for your last name or address, it’s probably an estimate based on your zip code, not a real calculation.
- Avoid Weekly Subs: The weekly fees are designed to catch people who forget to cancel. If you really want to try it, the annual pass is usually much cheaper in the long run, but only if you’re active about filing.
- Document Everything: For larger payouts (anything over $100), the settlement administrator will often ask for "Proof of Purchase." An app can't always fake this for you. Keep your digital receipts in a folder.
- Wait for the Check: Payouts are not instant. Once a settlement is "finalized," it can still take months for the court to approve the distribution. The app is just the messenger; they don't control the money.
Class-action lawsuits are a vital part of the legal system. They hold big companies accountable. Using a tool to access that money makes sense, but only if the tool isn't taking more from your wallet than the lawsuits are putting back in. Be skeptical of the hype, watch your subscription settings, and remember that "free money" rarely comes without a catch.