Big Picture Loans Settles State Law, RICO Violation Claims for $8.7M

Big Picture Loans, an online installment lender, has agreed to pay $8.7 million to end class action claims it violated state law as well as the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO).

Anyone who executed a loan agreement with Big Picture Loans and/or Castle Payday between June 22, 2013, and Dec. 20, 2019, may be eligible to benefit from this settlement.

Plaintiffs who filed the class action claims accused Big Picture Loans and Red Rock Tribal Lending, doing business as Castle Payday Loans, of making and collecting loans with higher interest rates than allowed by law and lending to consumers without a license to do so, among other things.

The plaintiffs claimed the companies’ loans violated state usury laws that govern how much interest lenders can charge, as well as federal laws preventing the collection of illegal debts.

The defendants argue the state law is not applicable to the loans they make and have denied all allegations of wrongdoing.

However, they have agreed to a settlement in order to avoid the expense and risk of ongoing litigation.

Big Picture Loans Settlement Benefits

The Big Picture Loans settlement provides several forms of relief.

Class Members who repaid their loan plus more than 2.5 times the original principal amount in payments over the life of the loan may receive a refund payment. Class Members wishing to receive a refund must file a valid claim form.

The amount of the payment will depend on the interest paid on the loan and how many total claims are filed by other Class Members.

For Class Members whose loans are not fully paid off or are not more than 210 days past due, the defendants have agreed to collect no more than 2.5 times the original principal amount of the loan in payments made over the life of the loan.

The defendants have agreed to cease collection activities and cancel the loans as a contested liability for Class Members whose loans are or become more than 210 days in default.

The defendants have agreed not to assign, sell, or transfer interest in any such loans or future loan proceeds from these loans.

The deadline to object to the Big Picture Loans settlement has passed.

A final hearing in the case was held Dec. 15, 2020.

The deadline to file a claim is Sept. 10, 2021. 

Who’s Eligible

Anyone who executed a loan agreement with Big Picture Loans and/or Castle Payday between June 22, 2013, and Dec. 20, 2019.

Potential Award

Varies.

• Class Members who repaid their loan plus more than 2.5 times the original principal amount in payments over the life of the loan may receive a refund payment. Class Members wishing to receive a refund must file a valid claim form. The amount of this payment will depend on the interest paid on the loan and how many total claims are filed by other Class Members.
• For Class Members whose loans are not fully paid off or are not more than 210 days past due, the defendants have agreed to collect no more than 2.5 times the original principal amount of the loan in payments made over the life of the loan. 
• The defendants have agreed to cease collection activities and cancel the loans as a contested liability for Class Members whose loans are or become more than 210 days in default.

Proof of Purchase

Emails, customer service chat logs, repair records, insurance claims, Return Merchandise Authorization confirmations, or other credible evidence of microphone or speaker failure.

Claim Form

CLICK HERE TO FILE A CLAIM »

NOTE: If you do not qualify for this settlement do NOT file a claim.

Remember: you are submitting your claim under penalty of perjury. You are also harming other eligible Class Members by submitting a fraudulent claim. If you’re unsure if you qualify, please read the FAQ section of the Settlement Administrator’s website to ensure you meet all standards (Top Class Actions is not a Settlement Administrator). If you don’t qualify for this settlement, check out our database of other open class action settlements you may be eligible for.

Claim Form Deadline

09/10/2021

Case Name

Renee Galloway, et al. v. James Williams Jr., et al., Case No. 3:19-cv-00470-REP in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Richmond Division

Final Hearing

12/15/2020

Settlement Website

BPLSettlement.com

Claims Administrator

Big Picture Class Action
c/o Settlement Administrator
P.O. Box 23369
Jacksonville, FL 32241-3369
1-800-641-9098
info@bplsettlement.com

Class Counsel

Leonard A. Bennett
CONSUMER LITIGATION ASSOCIATES PC

Defense Counsel

David N. Anthony
TROUTMAN PEPPER

Craig Thomas
MERRITT CHRISTIAN & BARTON LLP

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