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This settlement is closed!
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A settlement has been reached in a class action lawsuit alleging Sterling Infosystems Inc. violated the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act by failing to ensure its reports are complete and up to date.
If you were the subject of a background check prepared by Sterling Infosystems, you may be entitled to a cash payment from the FCRA class action settlement.
Plaintiff Jeffrey Scott Ridenour initially filed the Sterling class action lawsuit in January 2015, alleging the defendants failed to provide him with a copy of his criminal background report or a summary of his rights under the FCRA before taking adverse action against him.
Ridenour also claims that Sterling did not obtain the complete criminal or traffic records in its employment related consumer reports that it prepares about job applicants and employees.
“This practice of utilizing and providing incomplete reports is not a reasonable procedure designed to assure maximum possible accuracy concerning the job applicant or employee about whom the report relates,” the Sterling FCRA class action lawsuit states.
Ridenour asserts that he was the subject of a Sterling background check that “verified” he was convicted of a crime. According to the FCRA class action lawsuit, the information about this alleged “crime” was illegible, incomplete and inaccurate. It was reportedly impossible to determine the date, nature, disposition or other relevant information about the alleged crime. Ridenour asserts the so-called crime at issue in the Sterling background check report was actually a misdemeanor traffic offense that occurred 18 years before the report was compiled.
Sterling denies all allegations of wrongdoing and maintains it did not violate the FCRA. However, it has decided to settle the FCRA class action lawsuit to avoid the burden, expense and risk of ongoing litigation.
Who’s Eligible
The Sterling Infosystems FCRA settlement involves two Classes: a Virginia Opt-In Class and an Automatic Payment Class.
The Virginia Opt-In Class includes: “All natural persons (i) who were the subject of a consumer report sold by Sterling on any platform of Sterling except ESIQ to a third party from February 15, 2010 through October 31, 2016, (ii) who had a primary residential address in the Commonwealth of Virginia that was provided to Sterling in requesting such report, (iii) whose consumer reports contained at least one criminal record, (iv) who affirmatively opt in and complete a claim form certifying that their consumer report(s) was/were incomplete or not up to date, and (v) where no notice was sent under 15 U.S.C. § 1681k(a)(1).”
The Automatic Payment Class includes: “All natural persons residing in the United States (including all territories and other political subdivisions of the United States) (i) who were the subject of a consumer report sold by Sterling on any platform of Sterling to a third party from January 29, 2013 through October 31, 2016, (ii) whose report contained a criminal record, (iii) who then directly or indirectly disputed such criminal record contained in their consumer report with Sterling, and (iv) whose dispute resulted in an amendment to the criminal record of their report.”
Potential Award
$20-$85 (estimated)
The actual amount each Class Member will receive depends on the total number of Virginia claims that are filed. The settlement funds will be distributed to eligible Class Members on a pro rata basis.
Proof of Purchase
N/A
Claim Form
Claim Form Deadline
The Virginia Opt-In Class deadline is 6/6/2017
Members of the Automatic Payment Class do not need to submit a Claim Form to receive benefits.
Case Name
Ridenour and Halem, et al. v. Multi-Color Corp. and Sterling Infosystems Inc., et al., Case No. 2:15-cv-00041, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
Final Hearing
7/19/2017
UPDATE: The Sterling Infosystems Background Check settlement was granted final approval on July 25, 2017. Let Top Class Actions know when you receive a check in the comments section below or on our Facebook page.
UPDATE 2: On Sept. 19, 2017, Top Class Actions viewers who submitted valid claims for the Sterling Infosystems class action settlement started receiving checks worth as much as $91.87.
Settlement Website
Claims Administrator
Ridenour and Halem v. Multicolor Corp. and Sterling Infosystems Inc.
c/o American Legal Claim Services LLC
P.O. Box 23648
Jacksonville, FL 32241-3648
(800) 290-3037
Class Counsel
CONSUMER LITIGATION ASSOCIATES PC
Defense Counsel
FISH & RICHARDSON PC
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43 thoughts onSterling Infosystems Background Check Class Action Settlement
Received a check today!!
Mg got a check also
Got my check!
I have a legitimate claim against Sterling. Did not receive a notice, notice ID or PIN. In other words, this CLAIM FORM SCREWS THE VICTIMS, AGAIN.
You can contact the settlement administrator or class counsel with your concerns: http://www.sterlingvirginiasettlement.com/page/contact
I contacted them today. I never received any forms and I’m just now hearing about this. They said you thought it was a trash letter. I don’t think so as I check every piece of mail I get.
Is this just for Virginia?
It don’t work
Not working for me either
The Opt In Class Notice includes the opt in form that can be printed and mailed. You can also contact the settlement administrator with any questions about the claim submission process.
This seems pretty low. I sued Sterling directly and won a 5 figure settlement for this exact same deal. Don’t loss out on real money over chump change being offered.
So should I just throw this form in the trash and contact the lawyers.
I would and did.
Hi Joseph,
Could you please fill me in on what you had to do to get this settlement? I’ll be getting a lawyer but I just wanted to know what else you had to prepare for this lawsuit. Please email me directly if you don’t mind. junfitz@gmail.com
Thank you.
You should contact the settlement administrator or class counsel with your questions. Contact information for both is listed on the settlement website. There is an opt out requirement for class members that wish to not participate in the settlement.
I can’t comment on my case directly but the violation is usually a $5000-19000 deal if you sue individually. I ran my case by a lawyer and got a decent settlement. $80 is peanuts.
I’m wondering what kind of lawyer I should contact.
Hi I just recently applied for a job that uses them and I received a copy. The report came back with two convictions. Now I know the person who’s record this is but I personally do not have a record. This person used my info years ago yet they reported her lastest convictions on my background check as if I was convicted and used her as an alias. Do you think I have a case??
It’s not working? How would go about joining the settlement?
You should contact the settlement administrator with any questions about the claim submission process. Good luck!
not working for me either
the link to claim form is not working