Experian incorrect residential information $22M class action settlement

UPDATE:

• This class action settlement is paying out up to $178 as of May 23, 2023.
• Congratulations to everyone who filed a claim and got paid!

Experian agreed to pay $22.45 million as part of a class action lawsuit settlement to resolve claims it incorrectly reported residential information as high risk.

The settlement benefits two classes: the Policy Change Class and the Money Class. 

The Policy Change Class is made up of consumers for whom Experian sent a consumer report to a third party since Sept. 27, 2017, where the report contained an inaccurate Fraud Shield Indicator (numbers 10, 11, 16 or 17) indicating the consumer’s address was either high risk or non-residential. 

The Money Class includes consumers affected by Experian’s Fraud Shield Indicators who contacted Experian between July 1, 2018, and July 31, 2021, to inquire about or dispute a non-residential or high-risk address indicator.

Experian’s Fraud Shield helps identify high-risk characteristics such as unverified information, potentially fraudulent identifiers and more. According to a class action lawsuit, Experian wrongfully reports some consumers as having high-risk or non-residential addresses.

Plaintiffs in the Experian class action lawsuit say the wrongfully reported Experian Fraud Shield Indicators caused them financial harm due to denied credit opportunities. One plaintiff says her mortgage modification was “derailed” when Experian reported her home address was a business building.

“Experian continues the practice of parroting the response from the furnisher even though it has been repeatedly sued for failing to conduct a reasonable investigation as required by the FCRA,” or Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Experian class action lawsuit contends.

Experian hasn’t admitted any wrongdoing but agreed to a $22.45 million class action settlement to resolve these allegations.

Under the terms of the Experian settlement, members of the Money Class can receive a cash payment. Exact payments will vary depending on the number of class members who participate in the settlement and the amount deducted from the settlement fund. According to the settlement website, payments could be between $300 and $900.

The Policy Change Class cannot receive settlement payments, but both classes will benefit from Experian’s proposed business changes. The company has agreed to change the way it discloses and resolves Fraud Shield Indicator disputes. These changes will remain in effect for five years or until Experian stops reporting the subject Fraud Shield Indicators, whichever occurs first.

The deadline for objection is Jan. 30, 2022. 

Members of the Money Class can exclude themselves before Feb. 13, 2023. 

The final approval hearing for the settlement is scheduled for March 1, 2023.

Members of the Policy Change Class do not need to submit a claim form to benefit from the settlement. 

Members of the Money Class can only receive payments if they submit a valid claim form by Jan. 30, 2023.

Who’s Eligible

The settlement benefits two classes: the Policy Change Class and the Money Class. 

The Policy Change Class is made up of consumers for whom Experian sent a consumer report to a third party since Sept. 27, 2017, where the report contained an inaccurate Fraud Shield Indicator (numbers 10, 11, 16 or 17) indicating the consumer’s address was either high risk or non-residential. 

The Money Class includes consumers affected by Experian’s Fraud Shield Indicators who contacted Experian between July 1, 2018, and July 31, 2021, to inquire about or dispute a non-residential or high-risk address indicator.

Potential Award

• Money Class: $300 – $900
• Policy Change Class: No monetary award

Proof of Purchase

No proof of purchase applicable

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

• Money Class: 01/30/2023
• Policy Change Class: No claim form applicable

Case Name

Hill-Green, et al. v. Experian Information Solutions Inc., Case No. 3:19-CV-708, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia

Final Hearing

03/01/2023

Settlement Website

FraudShieldSettlement.com

Claims Administrator

Experian Settlement Class Counsel
763 J Clyde Morris Blvd, Suite 1A,
Newport News, VA 23601
ExperianAddressSettlementCounsel@bm.net
877-917-0074

Class Counsel

Leonard Bennett
CONSUMER LITIGATION ASSOCIATES PC

Kristi Kelly
KELLY GUZZO PLC

E Michelle Drake
BERGER MONTAGUE PC

Defense Counsel

Daniel J McLoon
Kerry C Fowler
JONES DAY