Who is a Class Member
The Business Information Group Background Check class action settlement is divided into three Classes:
Injunctive Relief Class Members: “All natural persons residing in the United States (including all territories and other political subdivisions of the United States) (i) who were subject to at least one BIG consumer report from December 17, 2010 to the date of the order for preliminary approval of the Settlement is entered by the Court, (ii) whose report contained a public record sourced from Trans Union.”
Automatic Settlement Payment Class Members: “All natural persons residing in the United States (including territories and other political subdivisions of the United States) (i) who were subject to at least one BIG consumer report dated December 17, 2013 to June 27, 2016, (ii) where the consumer report contained a public record sourced from Trans Union (iii) where BIG’s records reflect that the Settlement Class Member filed a dispute with BIG with respect to the above-report.”
Rule 23(b)(2) Subgroup Settlement Class Members: “All natural persons (i) who were subject to at least one BIG consumer report dated December 17, 2013 to June 27, 2016, (ii) where the consumer report contained a public record, other than a bankruptcy, sourced from Trans Union, (iii) where BIG’s records do not reflect the Settlement Class Member filed any dispute with BIG with respect to the above-referenced report.”
If you don’t qualify for this settlement, check out our database of other class action settlements you may be eligible for.
Settlement Amount
- $3,300,000.00
Estimated Award
- $56 or $500 (estimated)
Injunctive Relief Class Members: No monetary award; however, you will retain your right to sue individually for actual or punitive damages to which you may be entitled, such as loss of employment, embarrassment or distress.
Automatic Settlement Payment Class Members: Your cash payment will be based on how many valid claims in total received; it is estimated members of this Class will receive a minimum payment of $500.
Rule 23(b)(2) Subgroup Settlement Class Members: Your cash payment will be based on how many valid claims in total received; it is estimated members of this Class will receive a minimum payment of $56.
Proof of Purchase
- N/A
Claim Form
Business Information Group Background Check Settlement Notes
- Michael Kelly v. Business Information Group Inc.
- Case No. 2:15-cv-6668
- Pending in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
In January 2017 plaintiff Michael Kelly filed this class action lawsuit against the Business Information Group alleging violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). The FCRA imposes several important requirements on consumer reporting agencies that furnish consumer reports, including background checks for employment. The FCRA was designed to protect consumers like Kelly and you.
According to the complaint, Kelly was denied employment due to inaccuracies in a consumer report from Business Information Group. At least one consumer report furnished by Business Information Group to Kelly’s employer contained “materially false and derogatory information”. Additionally, Kelly says BIG never provided him and other similarly situated consumers immediate notice of the furnishing of their consumer reports for employment purposes and the details necessary to obtain and/or correct information in the employee background report.
BIG denies the allegations and contends that it in compliance with the FCRA; however BIG has decided it is in its best interest to settle the class action lawsuit to “avoid the burden, expense, risk and uncertainty of continuing the Lawsuit.” Complete details about the case and settlement are provided on the Business Information Group Background Check settlement website.
Class members who wish to object to or exclude themselves from the Business Information Group Background Check settlement must do so by October 9, 2018. Class members who wish to participate in the settlement must submit a claim form on or before October 9, 2018.
Important Dates
- 10/9/18: Claim Form Deadline
- 10/9/18: Objection or Exclusion Deadline
- 11/1/18: Final Hearing at 10:00 am ET* (class members do not need to attend this hearing in order to receive a slice of the settlement pie).
*Settlement Class Members who wish to speak at the hearing should check www.KellyvBigSettlement.com to confirm that the date or time of the Hearing has not been changed.
Contact Information
- Mail: Kelly v. BIG Settlement, c/o American Legal Claim Services LLC, P.O. Box 23678, Jacksonville, FL 32241-3678
- Phone: 1-800-687-0139
Class Counsel
- James A. Francis, John Soumilas, and Lauren KW Brennan of Francis & Mailman PC
- Kristi Cahoon Kelly of Kelly & Crandall PLC
- Leonard A. Bennett and Matthew J. Erausquin of Consumer Litigation Associates PC
Settlement Website
has the settlement finalized?