Foreign transaction fee: the check's in the mail

settlement that required Visa, MasterCard and Diner’s Club to return foreign transaction fees paid by those traveling outside the country or who made overseas purchases online.

The trio had been accused of hiding these transaction fees. They didn't admit any wrongdoing.

At the time, I encouraged readers affected — those paying the fees from February 1996 to November 2006 — to fill out a claim. The refund was expected to take up to 18 months.

Well, if you had forgotten the claim, like I had, then if you should check your old mail.

My check was made out in December, but I really didn't notice that it was a check for weeks later. It looked like a post card asking for a change of address. If you were smart enough to peel the post card apart, you'd see the check.

I received a little over $18. A colleague yesterday told me he just recently received his check for about $35.

So if you filed a claim and haven't gotten a check yet, look at your mail carefully. It may be in there.