Surety Title closing fees class action settlement

Surety Title Co. agreed to a class action lawsuit settlement to resolve claims that it charged excessive closing fees on New Jersey property transactions.

The settlement benefits New Jersey citizens who participated in a real estate closing for a New Jersey property between Nov. 29, 2016, and July 12, 2023, where Surety Title Co. served as the closing agent and charged excessive fees such as “Record Notice of Settlement,” “Tax Search,” “Upper Court/U.S. Patriot Search,” “Corporate Status Search,” “Tidelands Search” and/or “Real Estate Closing” fees.

Plaintiffs in the class action lawsuit accused Surety Title of charging excessive fees during its real estate closing process. These fees allegedly violated New Jersey law and caused financial harm to New Jersey citizens.

Surety Title Co. is a nationwide provider of title insurance and settlement services.

Surety Title hasn’t admitted any wrongdoing but agreed to pay an undisclosed sum to resolve the closing fees class action lawsuit.

Under the terms of the settlement, class members can receive a full refund of any excessive “Record Notice of Settlement,” “Tax Search,” “Upper Court/U.S. Patriot Search,” “Corporate Status Search,” “Tidelands Search” and/or “Real Estate Closing” fees they paid. Class members can collect an additional $3 customer relations and inconvenience reward as part of the settlement.

Surety Title also agreed to change its opening letters to customers so that they are aware of the estimated fees they will pay as part of the closing process. This injunctive relief will last for at least two years.

The deadline for exclusion and objection was Oct. 13, 2023.

The final approval hearing for the settlement is scheduled for Nov. 6, 2023

In order to receive a settlement payment, class members must submit a valid claim form by Nov. 9, 2023.

Who’s Eligible

New Jersey citizens who participated in a real estate closing for a New Jersey property between Nov. 29, 2016, and July 12, 2023, where Surety Title Co. served as the closing agent and charged excessive fees such as “Record Notice of Settlement,” “Tax Search,” “Upper Court/U.S. Patriot Search,” “Corporate Status Search,” “Tidelands Search” and/or “Real Estate Closing” fees.

Potential Award

Varies

Proof of Purchase

Property and closing information

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

11/09/2023

Case Name

Viggiano v. Surety Title Co. LLC, Case No. CAM-L-3155-22, in the New Jersey Superior Court of Camden County

Final Hearing

11/6/2023

Settlement Website

ViggianoNewJerseyTitleSettlement.com

Claims Administrator

Viggiano New Jersey Title Class Settlement
ATTN: Class ACtion Department
11 Eves Drive, Suite 150
Marlton, NJ 08053
contact@viggianonewjerseytitlesettlement.com
856-334-0355

Class Counsel

DENITTIS OSEFCHEN PRINCE PC

Defense Counsel

FOLEY & LARDNER LLP