Who is a Class Member
You are included in the Umpqua Bank Background Check Disclosure class action settlement “if you applied for employment with, or are/were employed by Umpqua Bank, (ii) you completed a disclosure and authorization form during April 2, 2010 – September 21, 2015, and (iii) Umpqua obtained, during the Class Period, a consumer report about you for employment purposes.”
If you don’t qualify for this settlement, check out our database of other class action settlements you may be eligible for.
Settlement Amount
- $325,000.00
Estimated Award
- $48
The amount of the settlement check will depend on the number of Class Members who do not “opt-out” of the proposed Settlement. It is estimated that Settlement Class Members will receive between $40-$48 each.
Proof of Purchase
- N/A
Claim Form
- N/A: There are approximately 3,871 Class members entitled to receive an automatic payment; if you are a member of this class you do not need to do anything to receive a payment.
Umpqua Bank Background Check FCRA Settlement Notes
- Sarah Connolly v. Umpqua Bank
- Case No. 2:15-cv-00517-TSZ
- Pending in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
Plaintiff Sarah Connolly filed this class action lawsuit in April 2015against Umpqua Bank alleging that when she applied for a job, Umpqua Bank obtained a copy of her credit report without first giving her a valid disclosure or authorization – a violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
In 2014, Connolly applied for employment with Umpqua Bank for which she was extended an offer. After the offer was extended, she signed a purported disclosure and authorization form for the procurement of a background report. However, according to court documents, Umpqua Bank was in violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act or FCRA, because the disclosure and authorization form Connolly signed in connection with her employment application with Umpqua Bank was not “clear and conspicuous” and was not contained in a “standalone” document.
The FCRA prohibits an employer from obtaining a credit report, without first giving a job applicant a stand-alone document that consists “solely” of the disclosure of its intent to obtain the applicant’s credit report, and an authorization to do so. This requirement maximizes the disclosure’s clarity and conspicuousness, thereby protecting the job applicant’s fundamental right to keep his or her credit and financial information private and to control access to it.
Connolly alleges that the Umpqua Bank form disclosure she was required to sign did not stand alone, and in fact contained a waiver of liability, which did the opposite of protecting job seekers’ rights.
Umpqua disputes all claims and denies any wrongdoing. Complete details about the case and settlement are provided on the Umpqua Bank Background Check settlement website.
Class members who wish to object to or exclude themselves from the Umpqua Background Check Disclosure settlement must do so by January 10, 2019. There are approximately 3,871 Class members entitled to receive an automatic payment; if you are a member of this class you do not need to do anything to receive a payment.
Important Dates
- 1/10/19: Objection or Exclusion Deadline
- 2/21/19: Final Hearing at 10:00 am PT* (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 the Umpqua Bank Background Check Settlement website to confirm that the date or time of the Hearing has not been changed.
Contact Information
- Mail: Connolly v. Umpqua Bank Settlement, c/o JND Legal Administration, PO Box 91345
Seattle, WA 98111 - Phone: 1-888-663-1725
- Email: info@connollysettlement.com
Class Counsel
- Elizabeth A. Ryan of Baily Glasser LLP
- Nicholas F. Ortiz of Law Office of Nicholas F. Ortiz PC
Settlement Website