He Said Dunkin' Owed Him $4.54. Now He's Suing For $5 Million

CANTON, MA —A New Jersey man filed a federal lawsuit against Canton-based Dunkin' seeking $5 million in damages, stemming from what he claims was the company's refusal to refund $4.54 on his gift card.

"Defendants have been unjustly enriched in retaining the revenues derived from Plaintiff’s and Class members’ Gift Card balance remainders," Daniel Crooks, of Manchester, NJ, said in his complaint. "Retention of those moneys under these circumstances is unjust and inequitable because Defendants did not disclose that their Gift Card balances were non-refundable despite the explicit terms stating that the balances were refundable under certain conditions."

Patch has asked Dunkin' for comment and will update this story when we hear back from them.

Crooks, who filed the lawsuit as a class action in U.S. District Court in Boston on behalf of Dunkin' gift card customers, said Dunkin's refusal to issue a refund violates consumer-protection laws in several states, including New Jersey and Massachusetts.

"These small balances add up," the complaint said. "Defendants have distributed millions of these cards to Gift Card purchasers and holders throughout the United States. Thus, Defendants have acquired at least millions of dollars in revenue to which they are not entitled."