Paul Tassin  |  September 28, 2017

Category: Closed Class Actions

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This settlement is closed!

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Reviewing a background check report with a magnifying glass.

General Information Solutions has agreed to pay $704,000 to settle a class action lawsuit alleging the background check agency violated the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Persons whose background check reports from General Information Solutions show adverse events other than criminal convictions that are more than seven years old may be entitled to receive payment.

Plaintiff David Gebhardt originally brought this background check class action lawsuit in November 2015. He alleges defendant General Information Solutions LLC has been violating the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act in the information it presents in persons’ background check reports.

General Information Solutions was formerly known as General Information Services Inc.

Gebhardt was later joined by co-plaintiffs Jesse Hale and Rondo Tyus. Hale later withdrew his claims, and Gebhardt reached his own settlement with the defendants, leaving Tyus as the sole named plaintiff and class representative.

According to Tyus, General Information Solutions has been improperly reporting old, non-criminal ordinance violations in its background check reports, in violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Under the FCRA, purveyors of such reports may not report “[c]ivil suits, civil judgments, and records of arrest that from the date of entry, antedate the report by more than seven years …” The FCRA also prohibits reporting “[a]ny other adverse item of information, other than records of convictions of crimes which antedates the report by more than seven years.”

Tyus alleges that his own background check report from the defendant, produced in 2014, improperly disclosed his 2003 ordinance violation for disorderly conduct. This violation was both non-criminal and more than seven years old, Tyus says. For both those reasons, it should not have appeared on his background check report.

General Information Solutions still denies Tyus’ claims, despite having agreed to this class action settlement. The company maintains it has properly complied with the FCRA at all times.

Under terms of the settlement, General Information Solutions agrees to put up a settlement fund worth $704,000. This fund will be used to pay Class Members after deductions are made for court costs, attorney fees, and an incentive award for the class representative.

Known Class Members will be sent payments automatically, without their having to file a claim. Checks will be mailed to Class Members at the address shown in General Information Solutions’ own records. Class Members whose addresses have changed may want to update their information with the settlement administrator.

Class Members may exclude themselves from the settlement by filing a written request for exclusion by Oct. 10, 2017. Those who wish to object to the settlement’s terms must do so in writing by Oct. 23, 2017.

Who’s Eligible

The settlement Class covers all natural persons residing in the U.S. or the District of Columbia who were the subject of a General Information Solutions report that was furnished to an end user between Jan. 19, 2014 and Dec. 31, 2016 and that contained at least one entry in the “Criminal History” section that was not an actual conviction of a crime and that predates the report by more than seven years.

Potential Award

Approximately $148.

Payments will be distributed on a pro rata basis from the settlement fund after accounting for court costs, class counsel’s attorney fees, and an incentive award for Tyus for acting as class representative. Qualifying Class Members are expected to receive a payment in the neighborhood of $148. Actual payments could be less than that amount.

Proof of Purchase

No proof of purchase is necessary.

Claim Form Deadline

No Claim Form is required. Class Members will automatically benefit from this settlement unless they exclude themselves. If your has changed, contact the settlement administrator to update your information.

Frequently Asked Questions

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS »

Case Name

Tyus v. General Information Solutions LLC, Case No. 2017CP3201389, in the Court of Common Pleas for Lexington County, State of South Carolina

Final Hearing

12/11/2017

Settlement Website

www.TyusvGISsettlement.com

Claims Administrator

Tyus Settlement Administrator
c/o JND Legal Administration
PO Box 7118
Broomfield, CO 80021
1-888-551-9702

Class Counsel

E. Michelle Drake
John G. Albanese
BERGER & MONTAGUE PC

Thomas C. Lenz
FIRST ALBRECHT & BLONDIS

Defense Counsel

Cindy D. Hanson
TROUTMAN SANDERS LLP

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243 thoughts onGeneral Information Solutions Background Check Class Action Settlement

  1. Jeneen Marie Henry says:

    I filed my claim but have not gotten my money yet.

  2. Linda L. says:

    When will payments be made. Do not see that anyone has received a check??

  3. Norman Booze says:

    I have had my background check a lot! Please add me to the list.

  4. Cheryl Graves says:

    Why haven’t I received any settlement check yet

  5. JAN KINKELLA says:

    Add me please

    1. Top Class Actions says:

      No Claim Form is required. Class Members will automatically benefit from this settlement unless they exclude themselves. If your address has changed, contact the settlement administrator to update your information.

  6. Michele says:

    Add me as well.

    1. Top Class Actions says:

      No Claim Form is required. Class Members will automatically benefit from this settlement unless they exclude themselves. If your address has changed, contact the settlement administrator to update your information.

  7. Davette Talley says:

    Add me in

    1. Top Class Actions says:

      No Claim Form is required. Class Members will automatically benefit from this settlement unless they exclude themselves. If your address has changed, contact the settlement administrator to update your information.

  8. Patric Lewis says:

    How do I sign up?

    1. Top Class Actions says:

      No Claim Form is required. Class Members will automatically benefit from this settlement unless they exclude themselves. If your address has changed, contact the settlement administrator to update your information.

  9. Sierra Shepherd says:

    Add me

    1. Top Class Actions says:

      No Claim Form is required. Class Members will automatically benefit from this settlement unless they exclude themselves. If your address has changed, contact the settlement administrator to update your information.

      1. Sharlene Milliman says:

        Please include me.
        Thank you

        1. Top Class Actions says:

          No Claim Form is required. Class Members will automatically benefit from this settlement unless they exclude themselves. If your address has changed, contact the settlement administrator to update your information.

  10. Letha R. Smith says:

    Please include me in this class action lawsuit.

    1. Top Class Actions says:

      No Claim Form is required. Class Members will automatically benefit from this settlement unless they exclude themselves. If your has changed, contact the settlement administrator to update your information.

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