Equifax Public Record Class Action Settlement

As part of an Equifax public records settlement, the credit-reporting bureau has agreed to a mix of payments and corrective actions to resolve claims made in an Equifax class action lawsuit that the company provided inaccurate information about tax liens and civil judgments on consumer credit reports.

Consumers who had Equifax credit reports issued to a third party and the report contained an inaccurate or incorrect tax lien or civil judgment between June 28, 2015, and May 14, 2019, could get up to $1,500 from this Equifax class action lawsuit settlement.

Equifax is one of three major credit-reporting bureaus, the others being TransUnion and Experian.

A group of nearly 20 Equifax public record class action lawsuits alleged the major consumer credit bureau violated the Fair Credit Reporting Act, or FCRA.

According to the complaint, Equifax reported inaccurate public records information about consumers to third parties pulling credit reports. Credit reports are used to determine whether a person can qualify for a home or car loan and can even be used during the job application process.

The lead plaintiffs claimed Equifax provided false information regarding consumers’ state tax liens, federal tax liens and civil judgments.

Equifax allegedly misreported those liens or judgments as unpaid, when they had, in fact, been paid. Misreporting of this information could affect the ability of a consumer to get a loan, as well as the interest rates they would be subject to as a part of that loan. In addition, reports can also affect job prospects and even rental opportunities.

The parties first agreed to settle the class action lawsuit in April 2019. Though Equifax did not admit any liability regarding the allegations it reported incorrect information on consumer credit reports, it agreed to a mix of payments and injunctive relief to end the litigation.

“Class Counsel has concluded that a settlement with Equifax on the terms set forth herein is fair, reasonable, adequate and in the best interests of the settlement Class based upon their investigation and discovery, and taking into account the sharply contested issues involved, the uncertainty and cost of further prosecution of the Action, and the substantial benefits to be received by the settlement Class pursuant to this Agreement,” states the settlement agreement.

Equifax Class Action Lawsuit Settlement Benefits

An Equifax settlement website was established last year.

Under the terms of the settlement, some Class Members will be able to file a claim if they suffered an adverse action due to incorrect reporting of information regarding a tax lien or civil judgment by Equifax. Payments may be as much as $1,500 if the Class Member can provide proof of the adverse action.

Claims for payment can be submitted online or by mail. Those who make claims for payments will be required to sign a release of claims against Equifax.

Other Class Members do not have to submit a claim to benefit from the Equifax public records settlement. Under the terms of the agreement, Equifax has agreed to stop reporting civil judgments and liens for the next five years.

In addition, Equifax has agreed that, after the five years has passed, it will only report new information about civil judgments and tax liens in consumer reports. Further, the company has agreed to change its practices to ensure that public records are collected at least every 60 days.

Class Members who accept this portion of the settlement do not need to submit a claim. In addition, Class Members will not have to release any individual claims pending with Equifax; however, they will be limited from participating in future similar class action lawsuits that may be filed.

Under the terms of the Equifax class action lawsuit settlement agreement, Class Members cannot exclude themselves, since the settlement includes injunctive relief. Those who do not make a claim for payment do not release individual claims against Equifax, however.

The deadline for Class Members to object to the Equifax public records settlement has passed.

The final approval hearing was held Sept. 13, 2019.

The deadline to file a claim is Dec. 31, 2021.

Who’s Eligible

Potential Award

$1,500

• Class Members who experienced an adverse action due to inaccurate information provided by Equifax regarding public records information can make a claim for a $1,500 payment.
• Equifax has also agreed to stop reporting civil judgments and liens for the next five years and to change its practices to ensure accurate reporting after this period.

Proof of Purchase

Those claiming a payment must provide proof of an adverse action. Evidence can include court records, written statement from the company that took the adverse action, Equifax records, or proof of payment of a lien or judgment.

Claim Form

CLICK HERE TO FILE A CLAIM »

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

12/31/2021

Case Name

Thomas, et al. v. Equifax Information Services LLC, Case No. 3:18-cv-00684, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia

Final Hearing

9/13/2019

Settlement Website

EquifaxPublicRecordSettlement.com

Claims Administrator

Equifax Public Record Settlement
1650 Arch Street, Suite 2210
Philadelphia, PA 19103
info@EquifaxPublicRecordSettlement.com
1-855-624-2739

Class Counsel

Leonard Bennett
Matthew Erausquin
CONSUMER LITIGATION ASSOCIATES

Jim Francis
John Soumilas
FRANCIS & MAILMAN PC

Micah Adkins
THE ADKINS FIRM PC

Kristi Kelly
KELLY & GUZZO PLC

E. Michelle Drake
BERGER & MONTAGUE PC

Defense Counsel

Zachary A. McEntyre
KING & SPALDING

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