Published
October 29, 2024
Updated
July 29, 2026
This settlement resolves claims that the background-screening company First Advantage supplied consumer reports to prospective employers without first obtaining the authorization the Fair Credit Reporting Act requires. Unusually, it paid no cash — the benefits were service discounts and free file disclosures, and the window to use them has closed.
Current Status
This settlement is closed. The date to redeem benefits was February 7, 2025, and nothing further can be claimed. There was never a cash payout and never a claim form — First Advantage was to identify class members from its own records and send them notices carrying discount codes. As of July 29, 2026, no further public updates on the program had been located.StatusClosedBenefits could be redeemed through February 7, 2025.
DeadlineFebruary 7, 2025Benefits are no longer available.
BenefitService discounts, no cash$15 off Instant Check, $15 off Resume Check, plus nine free full file disclosures
Proof RequiredAutomatic BenefitNo claim form — codes were sent to class members identified from company records.
What Was the Case About?
The lawsuit alleged that First Advantage furnished background reports to prospective employers without first obtaining the authorization from job applicants that the Fair Credit Reporting Act requires. The FCRA obliges a consumer reporting agency and the employer requesting a report to obtain the applicant's written consent before a report is pulled for employment purposes.First Advantage is a consumer reporting agency that supplies background screening information to employers and to the multi-family housing industry. The case is captioned Chism v. First Advantage Background Services Corp.
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Who Was Covered?
The class covered consumers whose background report was provided to a prospective employer by First Advantage between August 17, 2012 and November 20, 2020 without their prior authorization.What Did the Settlement Provide?
This settlement did not create a monetary fund. Instead, eligible class members were offered:• A $15 discount on First Advantage's Instant Check product.
• A $15 discount on its Resume Check product.
• Nine free full file disclosures.
A full file disclosure is a report of the background information First Advantage holds about an individual in its databases, which lets a consumer see what a prospective employer or landlord would see. According to the company, it does not maintain a permanent consumer file on individuals; it holds information in the form of consumer reports or database records, which can include criminal records, civil court records and landlord-tenant records.
Was a Claim Form Required?
No. There was no claim form to submit. First Advantage was to identify class members from its internal records and send notices containing promotional codes that unlocked the discounted products and the free disclosures. Because the benefit arrived without any filing step, this page is marked Automatic Benefit rather than Proof Required: No.How Can Anyone Get a Free Report?
Separate from this settlement, the Fair Credit Reporting Act entitles you to one free copy of your consumer file from First Advantage every 12 months. You may also be entitled to a free copy if you were denied employment or housing based on a First Advantage report within the past 60 days, if you suspect fraudulent information or identity theft, if you are unemployed or receiving public assistance, or if you live in a state that allows more than one free copy per year. Requests go through First Advantage's consumer portal at fadv.com.What Happens Next?
Nothing further is expected. The redemption window closed on February 7, 2025 and the settlement benefits are no longer available. The FCRA rights described above are independent of this settlement and remain available.Official settlement information was posted at FADV Settlement.
Important Dates
• Class period: August 17, 2012 through November 20, 2020• Benefit redemption deadline: February 7, 2025
Sources
• Official settlement website: FADV Settlement• Settlement notice and benefit terms, Chism v. First Advantage Background Services Corp.
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Settlement Benefit
Service discounts and nine free full file disclosures (no cash fund)
Case Title
Chism v. First Advantage Background Services Corp.
Statute
Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)
Class Period
August 17, 2012 – November 20, 2020
Deadline
February 7, 2025
Status
Closed
Official Website
FADV Settlement
