Think Finance unfair lending practices $44.53M class action settlement

Consumers with loans from Great Plains Lending, Plain Green or MobiLoans could benefit from a $44.53 million Think Finance class action lawsuit settlement.

The settlement benefits individuals who had loans with Great Plains Lending at any time, loans with Plain Green before June 1, 2016, or cash advances on lines of credit from MobiLoans before May 6, 2017.

Think Finance offered loans and credit to consumers under several names, including Great Plains Lending, Plain Green, and MobiLoans. The company faced legal action from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and state authorities claiming Think Finance took advantage of consumers with unfair lending practices.

Consumers injured by these practices also took action against the company. 

According to the borrowers, Great Plains Lending, Plain Green and MobiLoans offered loans with excessively high interest rates. These rates allegedly violated federal and state regulations, though Think Finance argued their loans were governed by tribal laws instead.

There have already been two settlements to resolve some of the claims against Think Finance subsidiaries. A 2021 settlement pledged $57 million in debt cancellation and cash payments.

Think Finance entities agreed to settle remaining claims with a third and final class action lawsuit settlement worth $44.53 million.

Under the terms of the latest settlement, some borrowers can receive a cash payment. Payments will only be available to Class Members who cashed a check from the previous settlement. Class Members who would otherwise be eligible but did not cash a previous check must contact the settlement administrator to request payment.

Payments are not available to the following Class Members:

• Those who didn’t make payments on their loans
• Residents of Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Ohio, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia, and Wisconsin who did not make payments above the principal on their loans
• Residents of Alabama, Alaska, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, West Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Wyoming who did not pay interest above their state’s legal limits
• Those who lived in Utah or Nevada (which had no interest restrictions)

These Class Members are eligible for injunctive relief under the settlement. Specifically, Elevate has agreed not to provide services to Think Finance related companies.

The deadline for exclusion and objection is June 24, 2022. 

The final approval hearing for the Think Finance, Great Plains Lending, Plain Green and MobiLoans class action lawsuit settlement is scheduled for July 28, 2022.

Class Members needing to determine if they are eligible to receive a cash award, submit a request for payment, or provide a change of address may fill out the form on the settlement website.

There is no claim form required to benefit from the settlement. Class Members will automatically receive benefits if they are eligible and do not opt out.

Who’s Eligible

The settlement benefits individuals who had loans with Great Plains Lending at any time, loans with Plain Green before June 1, 2016, or cash advances on lines of credit from MobiLoans before May 6, 2017.

Potential Award

Varies

Proof of Purchase

No proof of purchase applicable

Cash Award Eligibility & Address Change

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.

Exclusion and Objection Deadline

06/24/2022

Case Name

Gibbs v. Elevate, Case No. 3:20-cv-632; Gibbs v. Stinson, Case No. 3:18-cv-676; Brice v. Stinson, Case No. 3:19-cv-1481; in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia

Final Hearing

07/28/2022

Settlement Website

ThinkFinanceSettlement.com

Claims Administrator

Think Finance Settlement
c/o Settlement Administrator
P.O. Box 16
West Point, PA 19486
questions@ThinkFinanceSettlement.com
(877) 371-0547

Class Counsel

Kristi C Kelly
Andrew J Guzzo
Casey S Nash
J Patrick McNichol
KELLY GUZZO PLC

Leonard A Bennett
Craig C Marchiando
CONSUMER LITIGATION ASSOCIATES PC

Anna C Haac
Mark A Clifford
TYCKO & ZAVAREEI LLP

Defense Counsel

Joel W Reese
REESE MARKETOS LLP

Richard L Scheff
ARMSTRONG TEASDALE LLP

Martyn B Hill
PAGEL DAVIS & HILL PC