The online classifieds website Backpage has agreed to a $215 million settlement to resolve claims that it facilitated sex trafficking through online advertisements.
The Backpage class action settlement benefits individuals who were sex trafficking victims and were advertised on Backpage.com between Jan. 1, 2004, and April 6, 2018, or were advertised on CityXGuide.com between April 8, 2018, and June 19, 2020.
Backpage.com was an online classifieds website that allowed users to post advertisements for a variety of services, including sex work. Backpage was shut down by the U.S. Department of Justice in 2018 after the site’s founders were indicted on charges of conspiracy to facilitate prostitution and money laundering.
Despite the shutdown, Backpage and its successor CityXGuide were allegedly responsible for billions of dollars in sex trafficking revenue, according to the federal government. The DOJ seized $215 million from Backpage and CityXGuide, which will be used to fund the Backpage remission program.
According to a class action lawsuit, Backpage and CityXGuide knowingly facilitated sex trafficking through online advertisements. The companies allegedly profited from this illegal activity while victims suffered financial and emotional damages.
The Backpage class action settlement resolves these allegations and compensates victims of sex trafficking.
Under the terms of the Backpage remission program, class members can receive a cash payment for losses related to their trafficking. These losses can include medical expenses, behavioral health costs, lost wages and other documented losses. Payments will vary depending on the amount of losses claimed and the number of claimants.
The deadline for exclusion and objection was Oct. 26, 2023.
The Backpage settlement received preliminary approval on Aug. 10, 2023.
To receive settlement benefits, class members must submit a valid claim form by Feb. 2, 2026.
Who’s Eligible
Individuals who were sex trafficking victims and were advertised on Backpage.com at any time during Jan. 1, 2004, to April 6, 2018, or were advertised on CityXGuide.com at any time during April 8, 2018, to June 19, 2020.
Potential Award
TBD
Proof of Purchase
The petition form is available in both English and Spanish. Petitioners must provide all information requested on the form and include documentation supporting their losses. Acceptable documentation may include emails, text messages, screenshots, advertisements, medical or psychological reports, summaries or plans, pharmacy records and receipts.
Claim Form
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
02/02/2026
Case Name
In re: Backpage.com and CityXGuide.com Remission
Final Hearing
N/A
Settlement Website
Claims Administrator
Backpage Remission Remission Administrator
P.O. Box 2890 Portland, OR 97208-2890
[email protected]
888-859-9206
Class Counsel
N/A
Defense Counsel
N/A
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15 thoughts on$215M Backpage sex trafficking class action settlement
I was sexually trafficked and exploited for 10+ years, unfortunately by 2 separate pimps. One who was federally indicted. Backpage was the first platform I had to use.
When I was 16 I was trafficked with a friend of mine who was 15 or pimp was 40 something years old and he would threaten or beat us if we didn’t do what he had asked he posted us on craigslist and Backpage and because I was the oldest at the time I had more responsibilities or you went to numerous hotels, in a couple different states. Ever since then I have been dealing with PTSD and addiction haven’t been able to hold a job I’ve been to numerous rehabs I’ve tried counseling I did prison time because of my addiction I need help and would like to fight back because the web pages we used in the hotels we used they had to know what we were doing it’s absolutely horrendous some of the things I’ve done been through I don’t wish that upon anybody. I was kept from my family, locked away from everything and everyone until I had agreed to do the things that I was being forced to do. I’m not one for telling on people, but I haven’t been able to have a normal life since then. I feel as though if I could fight back, maybe then, I could try and get my life back in order and be able to forgive myself for allowing this to happen to me. I know it’s not my fault for what I had gone through and experienced. But it’s my fault for not standing up and fighting back. I never asked for help but I know today that, nothing is going to change unless we stand up for ourselves and take back our strength and our lives. We are stronger together. Please, add me.
I was trafficked and did my traffickers time because I was too scared to testify against pimp
Add me, I was trafficked as a teen in 2006-2009. I was advertised on Craigslist, and then backpage. Since then I have lived a very difficult life. Dealing with PTSD, drug addiction since the pimp who trafficked me had got me addicted to drugs, and I have lost several years of my life in a cycle of chaos from going through all this at such a young age.