Charter Financial Publishing Network privacy violations $1M class action settlement

Charter Financial Publishing Network agreed to a $1 million settlement to resolve claims that it shared subscriber information with third parties in violation of Michigan privacy laws.

The settlement benefits Michigan residents who were subscribed to any of Charter Financial Publishing Network’s publications before July 31, 2016, and whose subscription information Charter disclosed between April 25 and July 30, 2016, without consent.

According to the privacy class action lawsuit, Charter Financial disclosed subscriber information to third parties without their consent. Plaintiffs in the case argue that their information was shared in violation of Michigan’s Preservation of Personal Privacy Act.

Charter Financial Publishing Network is an employee-owned publishing company that owns Financial Advisor and other financial publications.

Charter Financial hasn’t admitted any wrongdoing but agreed to a $1 million settlement to resolve the privacy class action lawsuit.

Under the terms of the settlement, class members can receive an equal share of the net settlement fund. Class counsel estimates each class member will receive $275, though actual payments may be higher or lower depending on the number of participating consumers.

The deadline for exclusion and objection is May 19, 2024.

The final approval hearing for the Charter Financial Publishing Network settlement is scheduled for June 26, 2024.

Class members who received a mailed settlement notice do not need to file a claim in order to receive a settlement payment. They will receive a check at the same address.

Class members who did not receive a mailed settlement notice must submit a valid claim form by June 12, 2024. 

Who’s Eligible

Michigan residents who were subscribed to any of Charter Financial Publishing Network’s publications before July 31, 2016, and whose subscription information Charter disclosed between April 25 and July 30, 2016, without consent.

Potential Award

$275 (estimated)

Proof of Purchase

N/A

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

06/12/2024

Case Name

Kotila, et al. v. Charter Financial Publishing Network Inc., Case No. 1:22-cv-00704-HYJ-RSK, in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan

Final Hearing

06/26/2024

Settlement Website

CharterFinancialSettlement.com

Claims Administrator

Kotila, et al. v. Charter Financial Publishing Network Inc.
Kroll Settlement Administration LLC
PO Box 225391
New York, NY 10150-5391

Class Counsel

Joseph I Marchese
Philip L Fraietta 
BURSOR & FISHER PA

Frank S Hedin
Arun G Ravindran
HEDIN LLP

Powell Miller
THE MILLER LAW FIRM PC

Defense Counsel

T L Summerville
BROOKS WILKINS SHARKEY & TURCO PLLC