Employment Background Investigations $1.22M FCRA Settlement

If you were the subject of a consumer report prepared by Employment Background Investigations LLC (EBI) that contained criminal history information, you may be eligible to claim up to $600 from a class action settlement.

EBI has agreed to pay $1,223,200 to settle a class action lawsuit for allegedly failing to provide consumers with notice when reporting criminal history information to employers.

Who are the class members?

The class members include individuals who:

• Were the subject of a consumer report prepared by EBI between November 17, 2021, and March 21, 2022.
• Had criminal record information reported in those consumer reports.

Additionally, there is a separate group called the Automatic Payment Class:

• Disputed the inclusion of criminal record information with EBI between November 17, 2021, and January 31, 2023.

How much can class members get?

Class members who submit a timely claim form can receive a pro rata share of their respective $611,600 settlement fund. The estimated payment is approximately $600 if 10% of the class submits claims. If more than 10% submit claims, the payment amount will be lower.

• Claim Form Class: Estimated $600 per member, subject to pro rata distribution.
• Automatic Payment Class: $400 per member, automatically distributed.

How to claim an award

To claim your award, you can file a claim online. If you prefer to submit by mail, send your completed claim form to:

Martinez v. Employment Background Investigation

c/o Settlement Administration

PO Box 23459

Jacksonville, FL 32241

Ensure your claim form is submitted by the deadline of December 7, 2024.

Payment methods

• Check
• Electronic payment

Important dates

• Deadline to File a Claim: December 7, 2024
• Final Approval Hearing Date: October 29, 2024

When is the Martinez Settlement payout date?

The court will hold a final approval hearing on October 29, 2024. If the settlement is approved, payments will be distributed to class members approximately 40 days later.

Why was this settlement proposed?

The lawsuit alleges that EBI violated the Fair Credit Reporting Act by failing to notify consumers when reporting criminal history information to employers. The parties settled to avoid the costs and risks associated with a trial, providing benefits to affected consumers.