Nearly 2 million Oregonians began receiving checks in the mail last week for $91.94. And they’ll get a similar check this time next year.

For many, the money came out of the blue. Some weren’t sure what they’d done to receive the money or what to do if they didn’t get their checks.

The money came from a class-action judgment against BP in a case titled Scharfstein v. BP West Coast Products. That company owns the Arco gas station chain and the affiliated am/pm convenience stores. A Multnomah County jury found more than five years ago that they had overcharged customers who paid with their debit cards and the judge in the case ordered BP to pay $409 million.

Various appeals followed, but the money finally started flowing this month. Here’s a Q&A on what’s happening and why.

What did BP do wrong?

The jury found Arco and am/pm tacked on a 35-cent debit card fee without giving customers appropriate notice, in violation of Oregon’s Unlawful Trade Practices Act.

BP maintains that the judgment is unconstitutional but agreed to settle the case after losing an appeal in state court.

Who gets the money?

The verdict applied to customers who paid with debit cards at Oregon Arco and am/pm locations between January 1, 2011 and August 31, 2013. Oregon’s Department of Justice said 1.7 million customers will get the checks.

Checks began to be mailed out on July 18 and will continue each business day through Aug. 12, according to Epiq, the legal services firm administering the payments.

Additionally, under a 2015 Oregon law, BP will pay $36 million to Legal Aid Services of Oregon and another $36 million to establish a new nonprofit, called Oregon Consumer Justice, dedicated to consumer education and protection. These funds come from money that wasn’t claimed in the case, as directed by a 2015 Oregon law that diverts such funds to legal aid and other organizations a judge deems appropriate to a given case.

Attorneys in the case will receive $65 million, some from the judgment and some paid directly by BP.

How do I claim my money?

Epiq indicated “The vast majority of class members” have received or will automatically receive payment: “You do not need to take any action to take advantage of this settlement.”

The firm says it has eligibility information and mailing addresses for claimants from legal proceedings in the case so individuals didn’t need to file a claim to assert their eligibility – though they did have until May 2019 to opt out.

I don’t have a check yet. Is there a place to check to see if I will?

Epiq says no, “There is no public database where claimants can check the status of their settlement check.”

What if I’ve moved?

Epiq says it checked addresses with the National Change of Address database maintained by the U.S. Postal Service.

If people are unsure, though, they can submit a formal address change to:

Scharfstein v. BP West Coast Products LLC, P.O. Box 3266, Portland, OR 97208-3266

Or send an email to Info@debitcardclassaction.com.

What if I’ve lost my check?

If you lost your check write to the address above, either email (Info@debitcardclassaction.com) or regular postal mail, with your name and address. Ask for a check to be re-issued.

What if I don’t have a bank account?

To prevent fraud, Epiq issued checks that cannot be cashed. But if you don’t have a bank account, write to the claims administrator at the address above, either email (Info@debitcardclassaction.com) or regular postal mail, with your name and address. Ask for a check that can be cashed rather than deposited.

How do I deposit a check?

If you’re over 50 this may seem like an unusual question. But younger people seldom use checks -- and sometimes never do. Checks are rapidly becoming obsolete in favor of electronic payments.

If you have a bank account but have never deposited a check before, you can take the check to your bank and deposit it there. If your bank has a smartphone app you can probably use that to deposit your check.

If you don’t have a bank account, see the instructions above.

Other questions?

People can write to those addresses above with additional questions. But Epiq says it will provide no responses by email.

Epiq maintains a website with basic information about the case at debitcardclassaction.com.

This news article from The Oregonian has been updated with additional information.

-- Mike Rogoway | twitter: @rogoway | 503-294-7699