1. Why did I get a Notice?

The Court has allowed, or “certified,” a class action lawsuit that may affect you. You have legal rights and options that you may exercise before the Court holds a trial on damages. The trial is to decide whether Trans Union has willfully violated the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the amount of statutory damages between $100-$1,000 per class member, plus punitive damages, if any, to be assessed. The lawsuit is known as Brooks v. Trans Union, LLC, Civil Action No. 2:22-cv-00048-KSM (E.D. Pa.).

Back to top

2. What is this lawsuit about?

Plaintiff Brooks has alleged that Trans Union sold consumer credit reports about consumers that contained inaccurate bankruptcy information, by including on the credit report a reference to a bankruptcy filing as part of a particular credit account (called a “remark,”) even where the Trans Union credit report does not have a record of a bankruptcy court filing on the same credit report. Plaintiff asserts that where there is no publicly-available record of a bankruptcy filing within ten years before the date of the credit report, it is inaccurate to report bankruptcy information in this way.

Plaintiff’s legal claim is that Trans Union willfully violated a federal law called the Fair Credit Reporting Act by failing to follow reasonable procedures to assure the maximum possible accuracy of the information on these consumer credit reports. Trans Union denies that it violated the Fair Credit Reporting Act and asserts that this case should not proceed as a class action.

Back to top

3. What is a class action and who is involved?

In a class action lawsuit, one or more people called the “Class Representative,” in this case William Norman Brooks, III, sue on behalf of other people who have similar claims. All of the people together are called a “Class” or “Class Members”. The consumer reporting agency he sued, Trans Union, is called the Defendant. One court resolves the issues for everyone in the Class, except for those people who choose to exclude themselves from the Class. The Court decided that this lawsuit can proceed as a class action and move towards a trial.

Back to top

4. Why is this lawsuit a class action?

More information about why the Court is allowing this lawsuit to proceed as a class action is found in the Court’s Opinion and Order certifying the Class, which is available here.

Back to top

5. What does the lawsuit complain about?

In the lawsuit, Plaintiff claims that Trans Union violated the Fair Credit Reporting Act, as described above. You can read the Plaintiff’s full Complaint here.

Back to top

6. How did Defendant answer?

Trans Union denies that it willfully violated the Fair Credit Reporting Act and asserts that this case should not proceed as a class action. Trans Union’s Answer to the Complaint is also posted here.

Back to top

7. Has the Court decided who is right?

The Court has not yet decided whether Trans Union has willfully violated the law, or how much money, if any, should be awarded to the class. The Court has simply decided that this case may proceed as a class action.

Back to top

8. What is the Plaintiff asking for?

The Plaintiff will ask the Court to award statutory damages of between $100 and $1,000 to each member of the class. Plaintiff will also ask the Court to order Trans Union to pay punitive damages and Class Counsel fees and expenses.

Back to top

9. Is there any money available now?

No money or benefits are available now because the Court has not yet decided who is right, or how much, if anything, Trans Union should pay the Class in damages. There is no guarantee that money or benefits will ever be obtained. If they are, you will be notified unless you exclude yourself from this case.

Back to top

You have to decide whether to stay in the Class (do nothing right now) or ask to be excluded before the trial. You have until July 7, 2025, to exclude yourself.

10. What happens if I do nothing at all?

You don’t have to do anything now if you want to keep the possibility of getting money or benefits from this lawsuit. By doing nothing, you stay in the Class. If you do nothing now, regardless of whether the Plaintiff wins or loses the trial, you will not be able to sue, or continue to sue, Trans Union, about the same legal claims that are the subject of this lawsuit. You will also be legally bound by all of the orders and judgments the Court issues in this case.

Back to top

11. Why would I ask to be excluded?

If you already have a lawsuit against Trans Union for similar claims and want to continue with it, you need to ask to be excluded from the Class. If you exclude yourself from the Class – sometimes called “opting-out” of the Class – you will not get any money or benefits from this lawsuit even if the Plaintiff wins damages at trial or there is a settlement. However, you may be able to sue or continue to sue Trans Union on your own. If you exclude yourself, you will not be legally bound by the Court’s Order and Judgment in this class action.

If you start your own lawsuit against Defendant after you exclude yourself, you’ll have to seek damages in court, and you may have to hire and pay for your own lawyer for that lawsuit. If you do exclude yourself so you can start your own lawsuit against Defendant, you should talk to your own lawyer soon, because your claims may be subject to a statute of limitations or other time-sensitive requirements.

Back to top

12. How do I ask the Court to exclude me from the Class?

To ask to be excluded, you must send an “Opt-Out Request” in the form of a letter sent by U.S. Mail or e-mail stating that you want to be excluded from Brooks v. Trans Union. Instructions on submitting a request to opt-out are also on this website. Be sure to include your name, address, telephone number, email address if you have one, and to sign the opt-out letter. You must mail your Opt-Out Request postmarked or time-stamped by July 7, 2025 to: Brooks v. Trans Union Opt-Outs, c/o Notice Administrator, P.O. Box 16, West Point, PA 19486, or e-mail your request to questions@brooksbankruptcyclassaction.com.

Back to top

13. Do I have an attorney in this case?

The Court has appointed the law firms of Francis Mailman Soumilas, P.C. and Hussin Law Firm as counsel for the Class (“Class Counsel”). Their contact information is as follows:

Francis Mailman Soumilas, P.C. 1600 Market Street, Suite 250 Philadelphia, PA 19103 Tel. (877) 735-8600

Hussin Law Firm 1596 N. Coast Hwy 101 Encinitas, CA 92024 Tel. (877) 677-5397

Back to top

14. Should I get my own attorney?

You do not need to hire your own lawyer because Class Counsel is working on your behalf. But, if you want your own lawyer, you may retain one at your expense. You can ask him or her to appear in Court for you if you want someone other than Class Counsel to speak for you, at the Court’s discretion.

Back to top

15. How will the attorneys be paid?

If Class Counsel obtain money or benefits for the Class through this suit, they will ask the Court to award counsel fees and expenses. You won’t have to pay these fees and expenses. If the Court grants Class Counsel’s request, the fees and expenses would either be deducted from any money obtained for the Class or paid separately by Defendant. Class Counsel has not been paid any fees, nor reimbursed their expenses for prosecuting this case since it was filed in 2022.

Back to top

16. When is the trial?

The lawsuit has been scheduled for trial on November 18, 2025 at 9:30 a.m. Information about any changes to that date and time will be posted on this website.

Back to top

17. Do I have to come to the trial?

You do not need to attend the trial. Class Counsel will present the case for the Plaintiff and the Class, and Defendant will present its defenses. You or your own lawyer are welcome to attend at your own expense.

Back to top

18. Will I get money after the trial?

If at some point the Plaintiff obtains money or benefits for the Class as a result of the trial or a settlement, and you did not exclude yourself from the Class, you will be notified. There could be post-trial proceedings and appeals. We do not know how long this will take, and there is no guarantee.

Back to top

19. Are more details available?

Visit this website where you will find the Court’s Order and Opinion certifying the Class, Plaintiff’s Class Action Complaint, the Defendant’s Answer to the Complaint, as well as information about how to exclude yourself as a Class member. You may also speak to one of the attorneys working on this class action by calling: (833) 215-9289 or e-mailing at the following address: info@consumerlawfirm.com.

Back to top