Experian Information Solutions LLC Equifax Information Solutions LLC, Trans Union LLC Bancruptcy Discharge Settlement Nationwide, Nationwide

OverviewThere is a proposed settlement with TransUnion LLC, Experian Information Solutions, Inc., and Equifax Information Services LLC ("Defendants") in a class action lawsuit about whether they violated the Fair Credit Reporting Act ("FCRA") and state laws when reporting debts that had been discharged in bankruptcy as not discharged, whether Defendants conducted proper investigations of consumer disputes regarding such debts, and whether consumers were damaged as a result. The Settlement will provide payments of damage awards from a $45 million settlement fund.The lawsuit alleges that the Defendants violated the FCRA and related state laws by incorrectly reporting debts discharged in bankruptcy on credit reports.  The Court did not decide which side was right.  But both sides agreed to the Settlement to resolve the case and get benefits to customers. Before any money is paid, the United States District Court for the Central District of California ("the Court") must approve the Settlement.

The Settlement Class includes consumers who received a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy order of discharge and had a credit report issued by a Defendant between March 15, 2002 and May 11, 2009 (or, for California residents in the case of TransUnion, between May 12, 2001 and May 11, 2009) that contained debts, accounts, judgments, or other obligations discharged in bankruptcy that were not reported as discharged.

What is this lawsuit about?

The lawsuit alleges that the Defendants violated the Fair Credit Reporting Act ("FCRA") and related state laws by incorrectly reporting debts discharged in bankruptcy on credit reports, conducting improper investigations of consumer disputes regarding such debts, and damaging consumers as a result. For example, a consumer may have had a $500 credit card debt that was put in collection, and the debt was then discharged in Chapter 7 no-asset bankruptcy proceedings. The lawsuit charges that the Defendants were erroneously reporting those kinds of debts as in collection or due and owing on their credit reports, when they should have been reported as included in bankruptcy.The Defendants deny all of the Plaintiffs' claims and say that they did nothing wrong. Specifically, Defendants disagree with the allegations and say that they have many defenses, that they are not liable to Plaintiffs, and that Plaintiffs are not entitled to any benefits from this litigation. Before any money is paid, the Court must approve the Settlement.TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax are consumer credit reporting agencies that collect consumer credit information and provide credit reports or other credit-related information to credit grantors and others, such as prospective employers and insurance companies.

The Court did not decide in favor of the Plaintiffs or the Defendants. Instead, both sides agreed to settle this case to avoid the cost and risk of a trial. The settlement does not mean that any law was violated or that the Defendants did anything wrong. The Defendants deny all legal claims in this case. The Class Representatives and their lawyers think the Settlement is best for all Class members.This website summarizes the Settlement. More details are in the Settlement Agreement, available on this website. You also may email BankruptcyDischargeSettlement@gardencitygroup.com, call 1 (866) 237-3432, or write to White, et al. v. Experian Information Solutions, Inc., c/o The Garden City Group, Inc., P.O. Box 9517, Dublin OH 43017-4817.

To Date - No payment, No information sent to update on progress. It is all just away to tie up and the attorneys to make money on the consumers who will get pennies if anything while they make a fortune on this over many years of court.