$215M Backpage sex trafficking class action settlement

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

BackPageRemission.com

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