Michigan Consumer Reports Subscriber Info Class Action Settlement

Michigan residents who purchased a subscription to a Consumer Reports publication between April 2010 and October 2016, may be eligible to recover around $180 from a $16.4 million settlement fund.

In April 2018, Consumer Reports agreed to settle a privacy class action lawsuit for $16.4 million.

Consumers eligible for the settlement fund include those who subscribed to Consumer Reports, Consumer Reports Online, Consumer Reports on Health Newsletter, ShopSmart, and/or MoneyAdvisor between Apr. 1, 2010 and Oct. 31. 2016. The final hearing for the settlement is scheduled for Nov. 30, 2018.

Plaintiff Don Ruppel filed the class action lawsuit in 2016 alleging that Consumer Reports shared the personal information of subscribers to their publications.

Information allegedly shared by the company included customer names, addresses, age, gender, presence of children, income, religion, ethnicity and more.

“For example, a purchase could buy a list with the names and addresses of all Consumer Reports subscribers who are Spanish speaking, female, over the age of 80, with no children in the household, and with a net worth of greater than $500,000,” Ruppel argued in the Consumer Reports privacy class action lawsuit.

Ruppel claims that, because Consumer Reports shared consumer information, he and other consumers received “a barrage of junk mail and telephone solicitations.”

According to Ruppel, the practice of releasing sensitive consumer information to third parties was done “to supplement its sales and advertising revenues.”

The privacy class action lawsuit claimed that Consumers Reports violated Michigan’s Preservation of Personal Privacy Act and unjustly enriched itself at the expense of consumers.

Under the Consumer Reports class action settlement, Class Members who submit a valid claim will be eligible to receive a pro rata share of the settlement fund estimated at $180.

Class Members have until Jan. 17, 2019 to submit a Claim Form either online or through the mail.

The settlement will also cover administrative costs including administrator fees, attorneys’ fees, and an award to the Class Representative.

Class counsel plans to ask for no more than one third of the total settlement fund to cover attorneys’ fees and costs. As Class Representative, Ruppel will receive an award of $7,500 for her services in bringing and settling the case.

Who’s Eligible

Michigan consumers who purchased a subscription between Apr. 1, 2010 and Oct. 31, 2016 to Consumer Reports Magazines including Consumer Reports, Consumer Reports Online, Consumer Reports on Health Newsletter, ShopSmart, and/or MoneyAdvisor.

Potential Award

Around $180.

Proof of Purchase

N/A

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

1/17/2019

Case Name

Ruppel v. Consumers Union of United States Inc., Case No. 7:16-cv-02444-KMK-JCM, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York

Final Hearing

11/30/2018

UPDATE: The Michigan Consumer Reports Subscriber Info Class Action Settlement was granted final approval on December 4, 2018. Let Top Class Actions know when you receive a check in the comments section below or on our Facebook page.

Settlement Website

www.CRMagazineSettlement.com

Claims Administrator

Magazine Subscriber Privacy Settlement
c/o JND Legal Administration
PO Box 91304
Seattle, WA 98111
1-888-337-9111
info@CRMagazineSettlement.com

Class Counsel

Scott A. Bursor
Joseph I. Marchese
Philip L. Fraiette
Frederick J. Klorczyk III
BURSOR & FISHER PA

Defense Counsel

Sharon L. Schneier
Sean M. Sullivan
DAVIS WRIGHT TREMAINE LLP