A class action lawsuit (“Lawsuit”) against Defendants has been filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia under the style of Henderson v. Acxiom Risk Mitigation, Inc., et al., Civil Action No. 3:12cv589. The persons who sued on behalf of the class are called the “Plaintiffs,” and the companies sued are called the “Defendants.” The Lawsuit alleges that certain policies and practices of Defendants in connection with employment background reports prepared by AISS or Sterling-OH were in violation of the FCRA. Specifically, the Lawsuit contends that Defendants violated the FCRA by: (1) failing to provide consumers with notice that they were furnishing an employment-purposed consumer report “at the time” they were doing so; (2) failing to follow proper procedures for resolving consumer disputes; and (3) failing to have a permissible purpose for issuing certain consumer reports to employers and vendors of Allstate Corporation. Defendants have denied all charges and allegations of wrongdoing and contend that they acted lawfully and in compliance with the FCRA at all times. The Court has never made a determination that Defendants violated the FCRA.

There are two classes involved in this case for purposes of the settlement. The Notice that was mailed to you indicates which class you are a member of and the response to this question depends on your class. Both responses are described below.

If the Notice you received indicates you are a member of the “Settlement Class”

You are a member of the Settlement Class and are affected by the settlement because you applied for a job where the prospective employer was supplied with a background report prepared by AISS or Sterling-OH. For purposes of settlement only, the Court has certified a “Settlement Class” defined as follows, of which you have been identified as a member of one of these categories:

The “Settlement Class” means all consumers for whom AISS or Sterling-OH issued a consumer report from August 16, 2007 through May 1, 2013: (a) that was requested by an employer or prospective employer for employment purposes and included public record information that could potentially have an adverse effect upon a consumer’s ability to obtain employment; or, (b) that the consumer disputed to AISS or Sterling-OH; or, (c) that was requested by an employer or prospective employer that was or sought to become a vendor for Allstate Corporation.

If the Notice you received indicates you are a member of the “Dispute Settlement Class”

You are a member of the Dispute Settlement Sub-Class and are affected by the settlement because you filed a dispute with AISS or Sterling-OH claiming that information in your background report or file was inaccurate or incomplete. For purposes of settlement only, the Court has certified a “Settlement Class” defined as follows, of which you have been identified as a member of one of these categories:

The “Settlement Class” means all consumers for whom AISS or Sterling-OH issued a consumer report from August 16, 2007 through May 1, 2013: (a) that was requested by an employer or prospective employer for employment purposes and included public record information that could potentially have an adverse effect upon a consumer’s ability to obtain employment; or, (b) that the consumer disputed to AISS or Sterling-OH; or, (c) that was requested by an employer or prospective employer that was or sought to become a vendor for Allstate Corporation.

With respect to subparagraph (b) above, the Court has also provisionally certified a Dispute Settlement Sub-Class defined as follows, of which you have also been identified as a member:

The “Dispute Settlement Sub-Class” (also known as the “Actual Damages Claims Settlement Class”) means all consumers who are members of the Settlement Class and who also submitted a dispute to AISS or Sterling-OH from August 16, 2007 through May 1, 2013.

There are two classes involved in this case for purposes of the settlement. The Notice that was mailed to you indicates which class you are a member of and the response to this question depends on your class. Both responses are described below.

If the Notice you received indicates you are a member of the “Settlement Class” (please see paragraph 2 of the Class Notice or the address block next to your name)

Defendants have agreed to pay $20.8 million into a Settlement Fund for the benefit of the Settlement Classes. The Settlement Fund will be broken down into two sub-funds: a common fund and an actual damages fund with per capita distributions to be made from each fund under the process set forth below. First, after the requested attorneys’ fees and agreed-upon administration expenses are deducted, a common fund in the amount of $13,265,691.25 or more will be created for the payment of statutory damages to all class members. Second, the Parties will create a separate fund in the amount of $546,369.75 for the payment of actual damages to certain members of the Dispute Settlement Sub-Class who submit a valid claim, as described herein. Payments will be made by check to each class member in the following approximate amounts:

• If AISS issued your background report on or after August 16, 2007 but before August 16, 2010 – a net payment of approximately $11.75;

• If AISS or Sterling-OH issued your background report on or after August 16, 2010 but on or before May 1, 2013 – a net payment of approximately $35.25;

If the Notice you received indicates you are a member of the “Dispute Settlement Class” (please see paragraph 2 of the Class Notice or the address block next to your name)

Defendants have agreed to pay $20.8 million into a Settlement Fund for the benefit of the Settlement Class. The Settlement Fund will be broken down into two sub-funds: a common fund and an actual damages fund with per capita distributions to be made from each fund under the process set forth below. First, after the requested attorneys’ fees and agreed-upon administration expenses are deducted, a common fund in the amount of $13,265,691.25 or more will be created for the payment of statutory damages to all class members. Second, the Parties will create a separate fund in the amount of $546,369.75 for the payment of actual damages to certain members of the Dispute Settlement Sub-Class who submit a valid claim, as described herein.

Payments will be made by check to each class member in the following approximate amounts:

1. If you do nothing and do not submit a claim, you will receive a payment from the common fund.

• If AISS issued your background report on or after August 16, 2007 but before August 16, 2010 – you will receive a payment of approximately $11.75.

• If AISS or Sterling-OH issued your background report on or after August 16, 2010 but on or before May 1, 2013 – you will receive a payment of approximately $35.25.

2. Alternatively, if you believe that you were actually damaged by inaccurate or incomplete information in a background report prepared by AISS or Sterling-OH or the handling of a dispute about your background report, and you submit a valid claim, then you will receive a per capita share of the actual damages fund in lieu of any payment from the common fund. The Parties estimate that if 10% of all Dispute Settlement Sub-Class Members submitted valid claims, each person who submitted a valid claim would receive an actual damages payment in an approximate amount of $1,485.00.

There are two classes involved in this case for purposes of the settlement. The Notice that was mailed to you indicates which class you are a member of and the response to this question depends on your class. Both responses are described below.

If the Notice you received indicates you are a member of the “Settlement Class” (please see paragraph 2 of the Class Notice or the address block next to your name)

You do not need to do anything to receive the benefits of the settlement. If the settlement is finally approved, you will automatically receive a payment, unless you have excluded yourself from the Settlement Class. The check will be mailed to the address appearing in Defendants’ records. If your address has changed or is changing, you may contact the Settlement Administrator at the address in Section 13 below.

If the Notice you received indicates you are a member of the “Dispute Settlement Class” (please see paragraph 2 of the Class Notice or the address block next to your name)

As a Dispute Settlement Class Member you have two options. You may file a claim for actual damages or you can do nothing. More detail regarding each option is noted below.

1. You may do nothing:

You do not need to do anything to receive the benefits of the settlement. If the settlement is finally approved and you take no action, you will automatically receive a payment from the common fund. The check will be mailed to the address appearing in Defendants’ records. If your address has changed or is changing, you may click HERE to submit you updated contact information to the Settlement Administrator.

If you do nothing and do not submit a claim, you will receive a payment from the common fund.

• If AISS issued your background report on or after August 16, 2007 but before August 16, 2010 – you will receive a payment of approximately $11.75.

• If AISS or Sterling-OH issued your background report on or after August 16, 2010 but on or before May 1, 2013 – you will receive a payment of approximately $35.25.

2. You may file a claim for actual damages:

There are approximately 21,537 Dispute Settlement Sub-Class Members. Each of these consumers is permitted to submit a claim for actual damages.

READ THE FOLLOWING VERY CAREFULLY. If you believe that you have incurred actual damages because of a background report prepared by AISS or Sterling-OH or the handling of your dispute, you need to submit a claim form no later than fourteen (14) days following Final Approval of the Settlement. You may click HERE to file your claim online.

The Claim Form requires that you provide some basic information: your name, current postal address, current telephone number, date of birth, Social Security number, and a brief, sworn statement describing the basis for the claim of actual damages. All of this information will be kept confidential.

Claim Forms, whether submitted electronically via the Settlement Website or by U.S. Mail, that do not meet the requirements as set forth in this Settlement Agreement and in the registration form instructions will be rejected. If your Actual Damages Claim is determined to be invalid, you will receive a payment from the common fund.

The money paid to each person who submits a valid damage claim depends on several things. First, the portion of the Settlement Fund created by Defendants that will be available to pay such claims is estimated to be no less than the amount of $546,369.75. Second, this fund will then be increased by the amount of all checks disbursed to the Settlement Class Members pursuant to the separate terms of settlement for the Settlement Class that remain uncashed more than sixty (60) days after mailing. Finally, the payment to each Actual Damages Claims Settlement Class Member who is determined to have a Valid Claim shall be made per capita based on the number of Valid Claims and the amount of the Actual Damages Claims Settlement Fund remaining. Notwithstanding the foregoing, individual payments to Actual Damages Claims Settlement Class Members will not exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000.00).

The Court will hold a Final Fairness Hearing on July 29, 2015 to decide whether to approve the settlement. If the Court approves the settlement after that, there may be appeals. It is always uncertain whether these appeals can be resolved, and resolving them can take time. The progress of the settlement will be reported on this website. Please be patient.

There are two classes involved in this case for purposes of the settlement. The Notice that was mailed to you indicates which class you are a member of and the response to this question depends on your class. Both responses are described below.

If the Notice you received indicates you are a member of the “Settlement Class” (please see paragraph 2 of the Class Notice or the address block next to your name)

Unless you exclude yourself, you are staying in the Settlement Class, which means that you cannot be part of any other lawsuit against any of the Defendants (or other parties released by the settlement) about the legal claims in this case and legal claims that could have been brought in this case, including (without limitation) under the FCRA or any state law equivalents, with the sole exception of claims of inaccuracy under 15 U.S.C. § 1681e(b) or state law equivalents to 15 U.S.C. § 1681e(b). It also means that all of the Court’s orders will legally bind you. If you do not exclude yourself from the Settlement Class, you will agree to a “Release of Claims,” which describes exactly the legal claims that you give up if you get settlement benefits. To view a copy of the Settlement Agreement and Release click HERE.

If the Notice you received indicates you are a member of the “Dispute Settlement Class” (please see paragraph 2 of the Class Notice or the address block next to your name)

Unless you exclude yourself, you are staying in the Settlement Class, which means that you cannot be part of any other lawsuit against any of the Defendants (or other parties released by the settlement) about the legal claims in this case and legal claims that could have been brought in this case, including (without limitation) under the FCRA or any state law equivalents. It also means that all of the Court’s orders will legally bind you. If you do not exclude yourself from the Settlement Class, you will agree to a “Release of Claims,” which describes exactly the legal claims that you give up if you get settlement benefits. To view a copy of the Settlement Agreement and Release click HERE.

If you do not want a benefit from this settlement, but you want to maintain your right to sue or continue to sue the Defendants on your own about the legal issues in this case, you must take steps to exclude yourself from the Settlement Class. You may “opt-out” or exclude yourself as explained below. You cannot opt-out of the Settlement Class as a group or in conjunction with other individuals. REQUESTS FOR EXCLUSION MUST BE RECEIVED ON OR BEFORE June 29, 2015.

To exclude yourself from the settlement, you must complete the Exclusion Request Form located HERE, select “I am opting out” where indicated, or send a letter stating that you want to be excluded from the settlement of the Henderson case. To be valid, you must personally sign the request for opt-out exclusion, and it must include: (i) your name, address, telephone number, and the last four digits of your Social Security number; (ii) a sentence stating that you are in a Settlement Class; and (iii) the following statement: “I request to be excluded from the class settlement in Tyrone Henderson, et al. United States District Court, Eastern District of Virginia, Case No. 3:12-cv-589.” You must mail your Exclusion Request so that it is RECEIVED no later than June 29, 2015, to:

Henderson v. Acxiom Risk Mitigation

Exclusion Request

c/o American Legal Claim Services LLC

P.O. Box 26348

Jacksonville, FL 32241-3648

No. If you have a pending lawsuit against any of the Defendants, speak to your lawyer in that lawsuit immediately. You may need to exclude yourself from this class action in order to continue your own lawsuit.

No.

The Class Representatives retained Leonard A. Bennett, Matthew J. Erausquin, and Susan M. Rotkis, Consumer Litigation Associates, P.C.; Dale W. Pittman; James A. Francis and David A. Searles, Francis & Mailman, P.C.; and Michael A. Caddell and Cynthia Chapman, Caddell & Chapman. In connection with the preliminary approval of the settlement, the Court appointed these firms to represent you and other Class Members. Together, the lawyers are called Class Counsel.

Class Counsel will ask the Court for an award from the Settlement Fund of their attorneys’ fees and costs, which the Defendants have agreed to pay, with Class Counsel requesting a percentage of 30% of the Settlement Fund. However, the Court may ultimately award less than this amount. Class Counsel will also ask the Court to reimburse the costs and expenses they and the Class Representatives have incurred in litigating this matter. The Defendants have paid for the costs of this notice to you and the costs of administering the Settlement Fund.

Class Counsel will ask the Court to approve a payment to each of the named Plaintiffs of an amount not to exceed $5,000.00 for their efforts in prosecuting this case. However, the Court may award less than these amounts.

If you are a Settlement Class Member, you can object to the settlement if you do not think any part of the settlement is fair, reasonable, and/or adequate. You can and should explain the detailed reasons why you think the Court should not approve the settlement, if this is the case. The Court and Class Counsel will consider your views carefully. All objections must include: (1) your name, address and telephone number; (2) a sentence stating that to the best of your knowledge you are a member of one or more of the Settlement Classes; (3) the factual basis and legal grounds for the objection to the Settlement; (4) the identity of witnesses whom you may call to testify at the Final Fairness Hearing; and, (5) copies of any exhibits you may seek to offer into evidence at the Final Fairness Hearing. The written objection must indicate whether you and/or your lawyer(s) intend to appear at the Final Fairness Hearing. Any lawyer who intends to appear at the Final Fairness Hearing on your behalf must also enter a written Notice of Appearance of Counsel with the Clerk of the Court no later than thirty (30) days before the Final Fairness Hearing. These materials must be filed with the Court no later than June 29, 2015 and mailed to the Settlement Administrator and Counsel at the following addresses so that they are received no later than June 29, 2015.

In addition, any Settlement Class Member who is represented by counsel for the purpose of objecting to the settlement shall provide a list—including the full style and case number—of all other objections submitted by the objector, or the objector’s counsel, to any class action settlements submitted in any court in the United States in the previous five years. Such an objecting Settlement Class Member must also attach to his or her objection copies of any objections submitted in any court in the United States in the previous five years. If such an objecting Settlement Class Member or his, her, or its counsel has not objected to any other class action settlement in the United States in the previous five years, he, she, or it shall affirmatively so state in the objection.

Objections that do not comply with these requirements will not be considered by the Court, may be deemed waived, and the failure to comply may deprive objectors of standing to appeal any decisions relating to the settlement.

Objecting is simply telling the Court that you do not like something about the settlement. You can object only if you remain in the Class. Excluding yourself is telling the Court that you do not want to be part of the Class. If you exclude yourself, you cannot object to this settlement.

The Court will hold a Final Fairness Hearing on July 29, 2015, at 2:00 p.m., in Courtroom 7400 of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, 701 East Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia, 23219. At this hearing, the Court will consider whether the settlement is fair, reasonable, and adequate. If there are objections, the Court will consider them. The Court will listen to people who have submitted timely requests to speak. The Court may also decide the amount that Class Counsel and Class Representatives shall be paid. At or after the hearing, the Court will decide whether to finally approve the settlement.

No. Class Counsel will answer questions the Court may have. But you are welcome to come at your own expense. If you send an objection, you do not have to come to Court to talk about it.

You may ask the Court for permission to speak at the Final Fairness Hearing. To do so, you must send a letter saying that it is your “Notice of Intention to Appear in the Henderson v. Acxiom Risk Mitigation, Inc., et al. case.” Be sure to include your name, address, telephone number and your signature. Your Notice of Intention to Appear must be sent to the Settlement Administrator at the address previously provided in section 15, and must be received by June 29, 2015. You cannot speak at the hearing if you have excluded yourself.

More details can be found in the Important Documents section of this website, which includes the Complaint, Settlement Agreement, and other governing settlement documents.

If you have questions about the case, you can call toll free [(800) 323-5267, or write to the Class Counsel, Leonard A. Bennett, Consumer Litigation Associates, P.C., 763 J. Clyde Morris Boulevard, Suite 1A, Newport News, VA 23601.

DO NOT ADDRESS ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE SETTLEMENT OR THE LITIGATION TO THE CLERK OF THE COURT, THE JUDGE, THE DEFENDANTS, OR THE DEFENDANTS’ COUNSEL.

THEY ARE NOT PERMITTED TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS.