I have absolutely no idea when I decided to “opt in” the TransUnion Class Action Lawsuit, but a couple days ago I received my settlement.
TransUnion Class Action Lawsuit
Apparently, TransUnion was a bad credit monitoring agency and allegedly violated the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Specifically, Plaintiffs claimed that TransUnion sold private information which it wasn’t allowed to sell.
This suit was a Class Action, which, according to Class Action World is,
A Class Action is a civil lawsuit brought on behalf of many people who have been harmed in a similar manner. A class action cannot be prosecuted unless at least one person harmed by the conduct is willing to serve as a class representative (Lead Plaintiff).
There is a much better definition on Wikipedia, but it is technical and starts quoting Federal Procedure Code, so we will go with the one above.
As part of the Settlement I was given the following options:
- File an individual lawsuit against Defendant(s) for claims related to target marketing and prescreening: You can also signup for six months of credit monitoring.
- Sign up for six months of credit monitoring services: You can also register to receive a possible cash payment in the event of a cash distribution or file an individual lawsuit against the Defendants.
- Sign up for nine months of enhanced credit monitoring services: You will not receive any further benefits, including a cash payment, and you will not be able to file an individual lawsuit against the Defendants.
- Register to receive a possible cash payment: You can also sign up for six months of credit monitoring; however if you receive a cash payment, you cannot file an individual lawsuit against the Defendants.
- Do Nothing: You won’t get any benefits. You will keep your right to sue the Defendants individually (see the detailed notice and Settlement Agreement for more information).
I will be completely honest – I have no Idea which one I chose, but considering I received the below e-mail and I like to think I know myself, I chose some sort of monitoring option.
As part of the settlement I received the following e-mail:
Dear Class Member:
As part of the terms of your Class Action Settlement with TransUnion, you’ve received a nine month enhanced subscription to TransUnion Credit Monitoring, fulfilled by TrueCredit. Register now and start enjoying the benefits of credit monitoring right away! You’ll get:
The ability to lock your credit report so third parties, such as lenders or other companies, will not be able to access your credit report without your consent (unless allowed by law);
Unlimited daily access to your Trans Union credit report and credit score;
Credit monitoring with email notification of critical changes to your credit report;
A suite of insurance scores; and
A mortgage simulator service.
Ready to get started?
Your registration number is <XXXXXXXXX>. Be sure to enroll soon as your registration number is only available for a limited time.
Just click here and enter your registration number and you’ll be on your way to credit monitoring!
Sincerely,
TransUnion List Class Action
Settlement Administration
Do not respond directly to this e-mail, as this inbox is not monitored.
Well it was relatively simple to register for the class action settlement, and boom I had access to my credit score from TransUnion.
I was happily surprised when I finally got my credit score. While I routinely check out Credit Karma, and review my Free Annual Credit Reports, I never take advantage of the up sell on the score itself since it doesn’t matter right now (not moving anytime soon, have no CC debt and not buying a car).
Did you participate in the Class Action Suit? Have you received your settlement?
How did you know that the email was legit? I rec’d a similar email with similar but not identical language and was hesitant to give my social security #.
I had the same conern as Keith
HA Funny that you both said that!
When I received it I was worried, so first thing I did was google it, and found out that the settlement was in fact true.
Then I searched my old email and found that I had in fact signed up for it 18 months ago.
Then I looked up the domain and found it was in fact a TransUnion domain.
Thanks for this. I got the same e-mail and suspected that it might not be legit. So I’ve Googled around and found this blog. Of course, even this blog could be part of the conspiracy to get me to give up my SS number! Just kidding.
I PROMISE I am not part of any conspiracy! Except the little one about the Illuminiti taking over the world.
If it is a scam lol then I have been scammed – but a google search (where you found me) also has links from kiplingers, cnn, etc.
This is legit. I just called transunion and customer service confirmed that the email is from the settlement.
Probably what I should have done from the beginning!
How was your score?
This link is very legit. I logged onb a few minutes ago and now have full access to my credit details
Thanks Jasa! It worked fine for me too.
Was everything correct? Score where it was supposed to be?
I too received the email 1/4/10 but I receive an error that my registration code isn’t valid. Anyone having a similar issue?
Ken,
I had a problem signing in afterwards because it is from a different website (NOT just the truecredit website). Could that be the problem?
Oddly, everything now works and I’ve since logged in and gotten my information. It may have been my employer network causing something to misfire, or maybe the TU site was having issues at the time. But looks like I’m good to go now, thanks.
Funny, I had the same concerns and got here too. Does the link take you to:
https://settlement.transunion.com
Well Ed I am glad you found me…but I hope you’ll take a look around?
Yeah that is the link people are wondering about
I too recieved the email this week and when I try to log in, it stated the registration number was incorrect. I guess i will wait and try again, maybe it is there website updating.
Did you get it to work?
tried and tried no luck
I got a different registration number in my settlement e-mail than the registration number I was originally assigned. Try the originally number and you should get registered.
I think wrong registration numbers are being e-mailed.
Can’t believe the variability between scores! Middle-aged married male, mortgage paid for, and only expenses are revolving credit on two cards (no where remotely close to 30% of limit and no balance carry over each month) and one car note for daughter (current). Score is 50 pts. less than Experian from just 2 weeks ago (>800 then). Says I have too much available credit (remember, you’re told not to close out old accounts) and I need more credit cards (I use two, MC and Amex). I see that they still have my parents address listed as a prior address (never lived there). I don’t have a lot of respect for this company but unfortunately they do count as one of the big three.
Michael,
I wouldn’t worry about it too much. You seem not to know need credit and if you don’t NEED credit it doesn’t matter too much.
Evan- No I have tried everyday this week and it keeps saying my code is invalid- very frustrating and I am not sure who to call, anyone have an idea? Thanks
Fran,
I am sorry – no clue about anything. I don’t work for any of the companies mentioned.
Fran:
You can reach Tran Union Customer service at:
888 259 6849
Trans Union is not honoring most claims. They refuse to verify your identity if the only information on your report is credit card information. They want you to fax them additional information including a copy of your photo driver license. What kid of and idiot would do that? How do they verify the photo ID over the internet? They start the clock running when you attempt to apply based on the email they sent you but refuse you access saying they can’t verify your identity. I asked them to mail me at my home of record or to get my phone number from information and call me back. They refused. They are not acting in good faith.
I was apart of this also but lost the email that was sent to me. I just signed in using the link ED provided and my claim registration number and I’m in. This came at the perfect time since I just went through a bankruptcy and was interested in how it affected my score.
How did it affect your Credit? I’d love some details
My husband and I registered for the Transunion Class Action suit. We both received emails (he is in Iraq) but he apparently accidentally deleted it, does anyone know what he can do?
When I had trouble all I had to do was call the TruCredit people.
Good luck
The registration e-mail states a suite of insurance scores as part of the settlement benefits. Yet TransUnion wants $9.95 for these items.
Anybody else, same thing?
You aren’t reading it correctly. TransUnion just settled so their stuff is free – everyone else’s you still have to pay for
Am I the only one whose Registration doesn’t match and get the following message: The registration number you entered does not match the one previously assigned to you. Please re-enter.
Anyone know how to fix this? A telephone call to TrueCredit resulted in the telephone shuffle and of course Trans Union doesn’t provide a telephone number under Customer Service. Thinking Cookies might be the problem I deleted them in IE and Firefox but that didn’t help. I’m looking for suggestions.
I receive monthly an email from: “settlement.transunion.com”. Subject: monthly update for NED: Your credit alert & ID protection program.
There is never a message or any other information included or attached. Reply always brings the message “this email box is not equipped to handle customer inquiries” I find no phone number on the TRANSUNION web site to address this. Suggestions ?
Evan,
Like the bottom bar with posts & comments, is it new?
Also on the bandwagon for this, the initial opting in was over a 1yr ago I think.
Class Action Suits are awesome. Like free gambling! The other one was the foreign transaction fee on credit cards. If you hear of anything new and exciting – pass it along!
FinEngr´s last blog ..The Best Defense is a Calculated Defense
Completely Agree! Love the random letter from Class Action Suits. The Wife got one years ago – check from tmobile.
Did you take advantage of the settlement? How did your credit report look? Everything you expected?
I did. Yeah it was fine. Although I wish I would have saved it for later. The trial period starts as soon as you accept. Since I haven’t much credit action recently…there’s nothing new to report.
Side function – they allow you to freeze 3rd party inquiries.
FinEngr´s last blog ..The Best Defense is a Calculated Defense
I’m glad it wasn’t a scam and you were able to get your score…..these days you have to be really careful about responding to such emails. Checking the domain is a great way to avoid spam.
Excuse me but one’s credit score really does matter, even if you don’t need a car loan.. My homeowner’s insurance just spiked 26% due to a credit score. Wait for it…..auto insurance is next!
How did the homeowner’s insurance know that your credit score went down?
Funny how people talk about getting their settlement chcks, but fail to post the amount of them. I will pass on a $3 check. Not worth the time or effort, and these attornys will take at least $70 mil of the $75 mil settlement.
Noah,
As I indicated above, I actually didn’t take the check I took the free credit montering option.
Thanks for stopping by I hope you check out other parts of the site.
I fail to see a fair value of restitution from Trans Union. Providing free credit monitoring is capitalizing on a service that should be provided for free, to protect your information from the possibilities of their wrongful actions. This private LLC, physically has possession of the most important financial asset you will ever own. And for a short time they are offering you the permission to protect it, followed by a fee for life to protect a possession that is your write to own. And then, your life history (possession) is sold and you have no rights to any royalties.
Here is what I don’t understand. There is a group of lawyers that are advertising on TV where I live saying that you can still make a claim against the judgement. The reason I find that strange is because all the websites and court documents I see say that the lawsuit closed to new participants in 2008. How can lawyers take on new clients for this suit? Does anyone know how that works?
The site for the lawyers is tuclaim.com and that is saying that the deadline is 9-17-10. The site does mention post settlement claims but the whole thing sound fishy to me.
I am wondering the same thing, which is what brought me here.
The fact that you received an email is one of 2 things: 1. Amade up story so people click on your affilliate link. or 2. You really don’t know better and you thought that email spam was legit.
The lawsuit is done through regular old snail mail via attorney which requires your real signiture and is not done through email.
I have no affiliate links within the post AND that email I received wasn’t spam and I have been receiving my settlment for the past 10 months…not really sure what the point of your comment?
You have been Receiving your settlement for 10 months? Well that is different from the 6-9 months you wrote in the article.
The point of my comment was obviously to inform people not fall for any email scam or spam. If someone did already or does sign up for the credit monitoring under the terms in your article, they forfeit the right to get any money they could be entittled to.
If someone wants to be a part of the settlement they would be much better served if they would seek an actual attorney.
As far as links…. There are google ads and afilliate links all over this webiste. I know its normal, but no reason to deny it.
You are right about the date. Sorry about that.
This post was about my choices….I think I highlighted those choices pretty well (possible cash/right to sue/the service). Scam and Spam is different than making a choice you may differ with.
As far as working an attorney, I am all for it! I don’t think I stated otherwise, like I said, this post was just about my experience with it.
Adsense and affiliate links are two very different things.
I just viewed the videos from this law firm out of San Antonio, TX about the transunion settlement for $75,000,000 – they want to represent you. They send you to this website called tuclaim.com? What’s up is this legit. There deadline is for September 17, 2010. I also seen there commerical on television.
how much are people starting to receive in their Transunion settlement? less or more than $1000.?
Is this for real or not. Was told to check it out. My credit was totally destroyed and I have not had any for many years because of false information on my credit reports. My identity without doubt has been hijacked. Is it still possible to make any sort of claim?