South Central Bank Overdraft Fee Settlement: Get Paid Automatically (No Claim Form)
South Central Bank Overdraft Fee Class Action Settlement
South Central Bank agreed to a $2.8 million settlement to resolve a class action alleging the bank improperly charged certain overdraft and non-sufficient funds fees. Customers who were assessed APSN overdraft fees on signature-based debit card transactions between October 4, 2009 and October 8, 2018, or retry overdraft or NSF fees on returned items between October 4, 2009 and December 31, 2025, may be eligible for an automatic payment or account credit — no claim form required.
Settlement fund
$2.8M
Common fund
Top payout
Pro rata
of overdraft fees paid — no claim needed
Claim deadline
Jun 17, 2026
20 days remaining
You may be owed money
Filing is free and takes a few minutes. Deadline: Jun 17, 2026.
Do you qualify?
You are a Class Member if ALL of the following apply:
- You were charged an APSN overdraft fee on a signature-based debit card transaction that was authorized on sufficient funds, between October 4, 2009 and October 8, 2018.
- You were charged an overdraft or non-sufficient funds fee on the second or third presentment of an item previously returned for insufficient funds (Retry Fee), between October 4, 2009 and December 31, 2025.
- Excluded: South Central Bank and its officers, directors, agents, and affiliates; the bank's past and present employees; and the judge presiding over the case.
Not sure if you qualify? Call the Settlement Administrator toll-free at 1-888-808-9516, or visit JohnsonOverdraftClassAction.com.
What happened
Plaintiff Jean Johnson alleged that South Central Bank improperly charged two categories of fees: APSN fees — overdraft charges on signature-based debit card transactions that were authorized when the account had sufficient funds — and Retry fees — overdraft or NSF fees assessed on the second or third time a previously returned item was presented for payment. The lawsuit, filed in Hardin Circuit Court as Case No. 19-CI-01559, claims these practices violated the bank's account agreements and applicable law.
South Central Bank denies any wrongdoing and maintains it was permitted to assess these fees under the terms of its account agreements. The parties agreed to a $2.8 million settlement to avoid the cost and uncertainty of continued litigation. Class members who do nothing will automatically receive a check or account credit; no claim form is required.
How to file a claim
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1. Confirm you were charged a Challenged Fee
Check whether you were assessed an APSN overdraft fee (Oct. 4, 2009 – Oct. 8, 2018) or a Retry overdraft or NSF fee (Oct. 4, 2009 – Dec. 31, 2025) by South Central Bank. If you received a postcard notice, the bank's records already show you as a class member.
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2. No claim form required
You do not need to submit anything to receive a payment. All eligible class members will automatically receive a check or account credit once the settlement is final. Your share will be calculated pro rata based on the total amount of Challenged Fees you paid relative to the total paid by all class members.
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3. Keep your address current
If your mailing address has changed, call the Settlement Administrator toll-free at 1-888-808-9516 or visit JohnsonOverdraftClassAction.com to update it. An outdated address is the main reason settlement checks go uncashed.
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4. Receive your payment
The Court will hold a Final Approval Hearing on July 7, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. via Zoom. Once approved and any appeals are resolved — a process that can take several months to over a year — checks or account credits will be issued automatically. No follow-up is required.
Key dates
- Jun 17, 2026 Opt-out & objection deadline Upcoming
- Jun 17, 2026 Claim filing deadline Upcoming
- Jul 7, 2026 Final Fairness Hearing (8:30 a.m., via Zoom videoconference) Upcoming
- TBD after final approval Payments issued to claimants Pending
The Final Approval Hearing is scheduled for July 7, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. via Zoom videoconference (link to be posted on the settlement website). The Court may reschedule; check JohnsonOverdraftClassAction.com for updates.
Where the money is going
This is a non-reversionary common fund. Attorneys' fees, the class representative service award, and notice and administration costs are paid out of the $2.8 million before net proceeds are distributed to class members on a pro rata basis.
All amounts are estimates pending final court approval at the July 7, 2026, Fairness Hearing. The Court may award less than the amounts requested. Individual payments will be determined on a pro rata basis and will not exceed the total Challenged Fees paid by each class member during the applicable period.
Common questions
How much money will I receive?
Your share is calculated pro rata: your total Challenged Fees divided by the total Challenged Fees paid by all class members, multiplied by the Net Settlement Fund. For example, if you paid $100 in applicable fees and someone else paid $50, you will receive twice as much as that person. You will not receive more than the total fees you paid.
Do I need to submit proof of purchase?
No documentation is required. South Central Bank's records were used to identify class members and will be used to calculate individual payments. No claim form or receipts are needed.
What if I didn’t receive a notice?
If you did not receive a postcard notice but believe you were charged an APSN or Retry fee by South Central Bank during the applicable class period, call the Settlement Administrator toll-free at 1-888-808-9516 to confirm your status.
Does staying in the class affect my right to sue later?
By staying in the class (doing nothing), you give up the right to sue South Central Bank separately for the claims resolved by this settlement. If you want to preserve your right to sue, you must mail an opt-out request postmarked by June 17, 2026, to: Johnson v. South Central Bank Exclusions, P.O. Box 301130, Los Angeles, CA 90030-1130.
When will payments be sent out?
The Court will hold a Final Approval Hearing on July 7, 2026. If approved, payments will be issued after any appeals are resolved, which can take several months to more than a year. No action is needed on your part.
Dapeer Law, P.A.
Consumer class action attorneys based in South Florida. We track settlements so you don’t have to.
Similar open settlements
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Dapeer Law, P.A. is not the administrator of this settlement and is not affiliated with South Central Bank, Verita (the Settlement Administrator), or Class Counsel Cohen & Malad, LLP of Cohen & Malad, LLP and Stranch, Jennings & Garvey, PLLC of Stranch, Jennings & Garvey, PLLC. The case is Johnson v. South Central Bank, Case No. 19-CI-01559, pending in Hardin Circuit Court before TBD - verify before publishing. Class representatives are Jean Johnson. South Central Bank denies wrongdoing. This website is attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.