Question 1

What is a collective action?

Accepted Answer

A collective action (a "class action") is a procedure in which a group of people jointly claims compensation from the party that caused the loss. You are represented by an interest organisation such as the VCC. This is a solution when you lack the means to litigate against a large company on your own. In a collective action the court determines in a single ruling whether the party addressed is liable and what the loss is. That ruling is binding on all affected parties, except those who indicated in advance they did not want to take part (opt-out).

Question 2

Who are you and why are you doing this?

Accepted Answer

The Foundation for Collective Claims (VCC) stands up for your interests as a consumer, without a profit motive. We take on large companies, institutions and organisations with substantial capital and resources, so that they face an equal counterparty. The VCC considers that the subscribers' complaints have sufficient legal merit to claim compensation in court from Lynk & Co Sales Netherlands B.V. The action seeks compensation for loss caused by the flawed administrative and operational conduct, aims to prevent (former) subscribers being saddled with unexpected extra costs, and pursues better terms.

Question 3

How do you differ from other collective claim organisations?

Accepted Answer

Unlike many ad-hoc initiatives, the VCC takes a structural approach and bundles knowledge and experience to represent consumers in mass-damage cases. We believe consumers are better served by an experienced organisation than by an initiative set up for a single case only. The VCC has no profit motive and tries to recover the costs incurred from the defendant, so consumers do not bear them. Only if those costs cannot be recovered do participants contribute from a share of the proceeds. Without compensation, no one has to contribute.

Question 4

What are the tasks of the board?

Accepted Answer

The VCC is represented by its board. The board is responsible for setting and implementing the (financial) policy and realising the strategy aimed at the statutory objective. An independent Supervisory Board oversees this, in line with the 2019 Claim Code. The current composition of the board and Supervisory Board can be found on the website of the Foundation for Collective Claims .

Question 5

How does the VCC communicate with participants?

Accepted Answer

The VCC does not communicate per individual file but through a structured approach. You have access to a personal file in the participant portal where you follow progress, consult documents and view relevant details. In addition we send periodic newsletters with key updates and developments around the claim. This keeps you informed of the progress and the settlement.

Question 6

What about your social media advertising campaign?

Accepted Answer

The VCC runs a limited campaign on platforms such as Instagram, Google and Facebook to raise awareness of the case. We minimise the use of personal data and do not use cookies or pixels to track users across multiple websites. Per campaign we use a dedicated URL to measure how many people visit the website. We only receive limited, aggregated demographic data that cannot be traced to individuals. More on this is in the privacy statement .

Question 7

What is the Lynk & Co collective action?

Accepted Answer

On behalf of current and former subscribers of the Lynk & Co 01 subscription model, the VCC is conducting a collective legal action against Lynk & Co Sales Netherlands B.V. The Lynk & Co 01 has been offered on the Dutch market via a subscription model since mid-2021. Since the summer of 2021, many subscribers faced charges for unexpected costs and, in hindsight, misleading contract terms. The collective action challenges this and seeks compensation and better terms. Through the WAMCA procedure it collectively pursues compensation of 20-40% of the subscription fees paid, plus a refund of wrongfully charged amounts.

Question 8

Which complaints about Lynk & Co underlie the claim?

Accepted Answer

Complaints from subscribers (including via the Lynk & Co Forum and in the motoring press) reveal a pattern: Unexpected increases in the monthly rate; Additional costs that mount up and cannot be paid in instalments; Wrongfully and belatedly charged traffic and parking fines (faulty RDW registration); Technical problems, such as infotainment failures, defective lighting and parking sensors; Customer service that is hard to reach and unhelpful; Administrative chaos in settling fines and handling damage claims; Incorrect or incomplete information about the true costs and the terms. Not every subscriber experiences all of these points; some are satisfied with the car itself. The claim focuses on the pattern of loss across a large group.

Question 9

What does the VCC demand from Lynk & Co?

Accepted Answer

The aims, non-exhaustively, are: Refund of amounts wrongfully collected or set off. The belatedly charged traffic and parking fines average 200 to 250 euros per subscriber who joined from September 2021; Refund or correction of other charged costs, such as damage, excess mileage and winter tyres; General compensation for loss suffered and inconvenience experienced; Better terms for those who would want to continue the subscription. The more registered subscribers support the action, the stronger the position in negotiation or proceedings. Participation is and remains free.

Question 10

How did you arrive at the compensation amounts?

Accepted Answer

The average loss was established through legal and factual research by the VCC and its legal partner DHKV Advocaten, and on the basis of what subscribers themselves reported (including a survey on the Lynk & Co Forum and motoring-press coverage). By registering the data of more than 1,100 participants, the VCC has a clear picture of the average loss per participant. The legal research found that Lynk & Co conduct conflicts with mandatory consumer law. The VCC therefore claims general compensation of 20-40% of the subscription fees paid, plus each participant's individual loss.

Question 11

Does the claim also apply to me if I had few problems?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The general compensation of 20-40% of the subscription fees applies to all (former) Lynk & Co 01 subscribers, even if no fines or extra costs were charged to you. By participating you keep that prospect, and you also support more heavily affected (former) subscribers. The results of the action benefit all subscribers.

Question 12

What does a WAMCA procedure involve?

Accepted Answer

The WAMCA (Dutch Act on the Settlement of Mass Damages in Collective Action) allows a single court case to apply to all participants at once. In one ruling the court determines liability and compensation for the entire group. That ruling is binding on all affected parties who have not opted out in advance. The intention to start a formal WAMCA procedure was communicated to Lynk & Co at the end of January 2026. Mandatory amicable consultation comes first.

Question 13

What is the status of the procedure?

Accepted Answer

Registration of participants began in May 2025, the legal opinion was completed in December 2025 and the WAMCA procedure was announced in January 2026. The mandatory settlement consultation with Lynk & Co is currently underway. If it yields no result, the VCC will proceed to summon (expected in Q3 2026). See the current timeline for more detail.

Question 14

How long will the procedure take and when can I expect something?

Accepted Answer

The VCC expects the procedure may take several years, unless a binding agreement is reached earlier in negotiation. The case touches major financial interests of Lynk & Co, which is expected to defend itself firmly. Participation remains important: it benefits not only individual consumers but can also lead to improvements in the terms and service for future subscribers. You are kept informed periodically throughout, via your file and the newsletter.

Question 15

Can I request an overview of my fines via the CJIB?

Accepted Answer

You can, but it does not have to be done individually. The VCC has centrally requested access from the CJIB. DHKV Advocaten has filed a request for inspection and copies of all fines sent to a Lynk & Co 01 licence plate since the market launch in 2021. The CJIB overview is an important piece of evidence. Once received, the part relevant to you will be added to your personal file in the participant portal.

Question 16

What is opt-out and what does it mean for me?

Accepted Answer

A WAMCA ruling is binding on all affected parties in the group, except those who opt out in time. If you opt out, you are no longer bound by the outcome of the procedure, but you also have no claim to the collective compensation. The court determines when and how opt-out can take place; the VCC will inform participants in good time via the portal.

Question 17

Who can take part in the collective action?

Accepted Answer

Current and former subscribers of Lynk & Co Sales Netherlands B.V. who used a Lynk & Co 01 via the subscription model can take part and pursue compensation through the collective action.

Question 18

What conditions apply to take part?

Accepted Answer

You can take part if you meet the following conditions: As a consumer you entered into a subscription with (via the platform of) Lynk & Co Sales Netherlands B.V. for the use of a Lynk & Co 01, for which you paid a monthly subscription rate; Your habitual residence was in the Netherlands at that time; You can take part even if the subscription has since ended, and even if no after-costs have yet been charged to you.

Question 19

Why should I take part, and is it still possible?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can still register free of charge via the participant portal. This matters because the VCC wants to show in the proceedings that many subscribers support the action. The more participants, the stronger the position. Registration commits you to nothing and carries no costs. By participating you keep the prospect of substantial compensation and support more heavily affected (former) subscribers. At key decision points you may be asked to contribute your view.

Question 20

What is expected of me as a participant?

Accepted Answer

After you have registered and activated your personal file in the secure portal, we ask you to complete your file: Check and supplement your details in the participant portal; Upload relevant documents; At key decision points you may be asked to state a position. Beyond that you need do nothing. You are updated periodically via the portal and the newsletters.

Question 21

Which documents should I provide?

Accepted Answer

Relevant for establishing your loss are: The start and end date of your subscription contract and the terms; The policy sheet of your legal expenses insurance; Any proof of return of the car (also in the case of a replacement car/upgrade); Invoices for charged costs and fines; Correspondence with Lynk & Co and collection agencies. You can upload these securely in your personal file in the participant portal.

Question 22

Can I withdraw my participation later?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You can withdraw by emailing deelname@lynkclaimactie.nl with your name, date of birth and the email address you registered with. This is free as long as no compensation has yet been established; you then give up your prospect of compensation. If you do not want to be bound by the outcome of the procedure at all, you may be able to use the opt-out scheme (see the question on opt-out).

Question 23

What do you do with my data?

Accepted Answer

Your data is processed in line with the GDPR, solely for this claim action. The privacy statement explains what we use your data for, including your right to erasure (the right to be forgotten). Your data is not shared with third parties without your consent.

Question 24

I cannot log in or forgot my password. What now?

Accepted Answer

Use the "Forgot password?" option on the login page of the participant portal ; you will receive an email to set a new password (check your spam folder too). A password must be at least 12 characters, with at least 1 capital letter, 2 digits and 1 special character. After too many failed attempts your account may be temporarily locked; wait 15 to 30 minutes. Log in with the email address you originally registered with. If you are stuck, contact us via the contact form .

Question 25

What does participation cost?

Accepted Answer

Participation is entirely free. You incur no costs in advance. The VCC has a funding agreement with a litigation funder and/or coverage via legal expenses insurers. Only upon a positive result is part of the proceeds used for the costs incurred, in line with the WAMCA and the 2019 Claim Code. If the case does not succeed, you owe nothing.

Question 26

Does the VCC make money from this action?

Accepted Answer

No. The VCC is a not-for-profit foundation and has no commercial aim. The goal is to achieve the fairest possible compensation for those affected.

Question 27

How is the procedure funded?

Accepted Answer

The VCC only starts the collective procedure once cost coverage is secured. This is done through a litigation funder and/or the legal expenses insurance of participating members. If you have legal expenses insurance, the VCC can handle the application to your insurer centrally, so you do not need to arrange anything yourself. The VCC tries to recover the legal costs from Lynk & Co as far as possible. If that is not possible, the costs are paid from the proceeds after deduction of the fee to the funder.

Question 28

How much goes to the litigation funder?

Accepted Answer

On success the litigation funder receives a reasonable reward for the litigation risk borne, usually between 20% and 25% of the proceeds (after deduction of the costs incurred). This percentage decreases as the total compensation rises. If the action does not succeed, the funder bears all costs. The funding model is communicated transparently to all participants in line with the 2019 Claim Code.

Question 29

Do the board and supervisors receive remuneration?

Accepted Answer

Board members and members of the Supervisory Board receive remuneration that is customary for comparable not-for-profit organisations. The policy and the level of that remuneration are published regularly, in line with the 2019 Claim Code.

Question 30

What will I receive if the action succeeds?

Accepted Answer

The VCC seeks general compensation of 20-40% of the subscription fees you paid, plus your individual loss (such as wrongfully charged fines and other costs). Upon a final determination of liability, in or out of court, the compensation is paid out to you per file after individual verification.

Do you have questions about the Lynk & Co claim action?