FleetCor Fuel-Card Settlement Sets Aside $100 Million for Business Redress

FleetCor, now known as Corpay, and chief executive Ronald Clarke have agreed to pay $100 million to resolve a Federal Trade Commission administrative action involving commercial fuel-card marketing and fees. FreightWaves reported the agreement September 18, and the FTC published the proposed consent order the same day. The money is intended for redress to eligible business customers harmed by the challenged practices.

The FTC alleged that FleetCor charged undisclosed or unauthorized fees and made misleading claims about savings, fraud controls and late charges. A federal district court granted summary judgment against the company in 2023, and an appellate court later affirmed all counts against FleetCor along with a permanent injunction. The settlement addresses the remaining administrative case and also includes conduct requirements intended to make fees and account terms clearer.

This is a proposed order, not an immediate promise that every cardholder will receive payment. After publication in the Federal Register, the agreement is subject to a 30-day public-comment period before the commission decides whether to make it final. The FTC has not yet announced individual eligibility rules or a claims timetable, so fleets should avoid unofficial recovery services or messages requesting credentials and advance fees.

Owner-operators and fleet managers can prepare by preserving statements, fee schedules, contracts and correspondence tied to their fuel-card accounts. Reconcile advertised discounts against actual net prices, separate transaction charges from late fees and require written approval for account changes. Fuel cards can simplify purchasing and controls, but their value depends on transparent pricing and routine auditing. Any future redress instructions should be verified through official FTC channels before a business submits banking or identity information.