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Tenant screening companies National Tenant Network, Inc. (NTN) and LCIJ, Inc. have agreed to establish a $1.625 million class action settlement to resolve allegations that they violated federal privacy laws by sending landlords consumer reports in the form of unsealed postcards.
The lawsuit alleged that the companies mailed marketing postcards to landlords detailing individuals’ past eviction court filings, violating strict federal consumer privacy protections. If you were the subject of an eviction-related postcard sent by NTN or LCIJ to a landlord between June 30, 2018, and December 3, 2023, you may be eligible to receive a pro rata cash payout. To receive your settlement money, you must submit a claim form by the September 22, 2026, deadline.
The class action lawsuit was filed in federal court against National Tenant Network, Inc. and LCIJ, Inc., alleging severe violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). According to court documents, the tenant screening agencies sent unsolicited promotional postcards directly to property owners and landlords to solicit business.
However, these postcards explicitly named specific individuals and disclosed that they had past eviction filings in housing court. The mailers featured promotional text stating that the resident “had a previous eviction filing” and boasting that “NTN would have warned you about trouble tenants like this before they became your residents.” The lawsuit charged that transmitting confidential background check information via open mailers violated federal law by exposing private consumer reporting data to postal workers, mailroom staff, and anyone else who handled the postcard. NTN and LCIJ deny any wrongdoing but agreed to the $1.625 million settlement to resolve the claims and avoid prolonged court battles.
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. § 1681) strictly regulates how consumer reporting agencies collect, assemble, and distribute private consumer data—including tenant background reports and eviction records. Under federal law, consumer reporting agencies are obligated to maintain reasonable procedures to ensure that sensitive personal information is disclosed only to authorized parties with a legitimate permissible purpose.
Exposing a person’s rental history or court record on an unsealed postcard destroys confidentiality. When tenant screening companies broadcast private eviction filings on open mailers, renters can suffer severe reputational harm, heightened difficulty securing housing, and unnecessary public disclosure of personal legal matters. Class action litigation serves as a critical shield to hold tenant screening entities accountable and enforce basic privacy boundaries for everyday renters.
On June 23, 2026, the court granted preliminary approval to the $1.625 million class action settlement. The settlement fund will cover administrative costs, court-approved legal fees, litigation expenses, and direct cash disbursements to qualified class members.
All eligible class members who file a timely and valid claim form will receive a pro rata cash payout drawn from the net settlement fund. Because payouts are calculated on a pro rata basis, the exact dollar amount each person receives will depend entirely on the total number of valid claims submitted before the court’s deadline. No proof or additional documentation of loss is required to claim your compensation.
You may be eligible to receive a settlement payment if you meet all of the following qualification criteria established by the court:
Target of the Postcard: You were the individual named or referenced in an eviction-related postcard sent by National Tenant Network, Inc. or LCIJ, Inc. to a landlord or property manager.
Timeframe: The postcard was mailed between June 30, 2018, and December 3, 2023.
Substantially Similar Language: The mailer contained text substantially similar to the postcard in the lawsuit, stating that you had a prior eviction filing and offering NTN’s screening services to the landlord.
Class members should look for a personalized settlement notice sent by mail or email, which contains a unique Class Member ID and PIN needed to file online.
If you belong to the settlement class, you must select one of the following court-mandated options before key deadlines pass:
Submit a Claim Form (Deadline: September 22, 2026): Submitting a valid claim form online or postmarked by September 22, 2026, is the only way to get a cash payout. By filing a claim, you give up your right to sue NTN or LCIJ individually over these postcard disclosures.
Request Exclusion / Opt Out (Deadline: September 22, 2026): If you formally exclude yourself from the settlement, you will not receive a cash payment, but you retain the legal right to file an independent lawsuit against the companies regarding these claims.
Object to the Settlement (Deadline: September 22, 2026): You may submit a written statement to the court explaining why you do not believe the settlement terms should be approved.
Final Approval Hearing (December 8, 2026): The court will hold a final fairness hearing on December 8, 2026, to determine whether to grant final approval to the settlement agreement. Payouts will be distributed to approved claimants only after the court grants final approval and any appeals are resolved.
If you received a notice regarding the National Tenant Network settlement, you can file your claim form online at the official court-approved website using the Class Member ID and PIN printed on your notice. Alternatively, you can download a paper claim form from the site, print it out, and mail it to the settlement administrator.
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