If you’ve ever received a random promotional text from Cash App asking you to join or use their service, you might be owed money. The popular money transfer app has agreed to pay $12.5 million to settle a lawsuit that accused it of sending unwanted marketing texts to Washington residents — without their consent.
This legal action stems from complaints that Cash App’s “Invite Friends” feature encouraged users to send out promotional messages that violated state privacy laws. Now, thousands of people across Washington could be eligible for a payout of up to $147 each. Here’s what happened, why Cash App is paying up, and how to find out if you qualify for compensation.
What Happened and Why Cash App Is Paying
The class action lawsuit targeted Block, Inc., the parent company of Cash App, claiming it violated both the Washington Commercial Electronic Mail Act (CEMA) and the Washington Consumer Protection Act (CPA).
The issue centered around Cash App’s “Invite Friends” program — a feature that let users send automatically generated text messages to invite others to join the app. These messages often sounded casual and friendly, such as:
“Hey! I’ve been using Cash App to send and receive money. Try it using my code and you’ll get $5!”
But under Washington law, sending such texts without prior consent is considered a violation of privacy. Even though the messages came from users, the lawsuit argued that Cash App was responsible because it designed and encouraged the system that distributed them.
While Block, Inc. has denied doing anything illegal, the company agreed to settle the case for $12.5 million to avoid further litigation — opening the door for eligible residents to receive payments.
Who Can Get Paid
If you lived in Washington State between November 14, 2019, and August 7, 2025, and received one of these Cash App promotional messages without your consent, you could qualify for a payout.
Eligible claimants are expected to receive between $88 and $147, depending on the number of valid claims filed.
To apply, visit the official settlement website and submit your claim form before the deadline — October 27, 2025. You’ll need to provide some basic information to confirm your eligibility.
What Happens Next
A final approval hearing is scheduled for December 2, 2025. If the settlement is approved, payments will be distributed soon after to those who submitted valid claims.
Keep in mind that by accepting the settlement, claimants give up the right to file separate lawsuits against Cash App or Block, Inc. for the same issue.
For more details — including how to check your eligibility or submit your claim — visit the official settlement website.
