Anyone with an open credit account or an open line of credit between Jan. 1, 1987, and May 28, 2008, may be entitled to benefits from a class action lawsuit against TransUnion.

Those who join the lawsuit can sign up for six months of free credit monitoring services and a possible cash payment. Or they can forego the cash and receive enhanced credit monitoring services for nine months.

Cash payments will come from what’s left of the $75 million after attorney fees and other costs are paid.

The free credit monitoring service, normally $14.95 per month from TransUnion, includes the ability to lock your credit report so third parties cannot access it without your consent; unlimited daily access to your TransUnion credit report and credit score; and credit monitoring with a 24-hour e-mail credit notification service.

The enhanced service includes these services along with several insurance scores and a mortgage simulator service.

A hearing will be held on Sept.10 to consider whether to approve the settlement.

If approved, consumers wishing to participate will need to register before Sept. 24, 2008 at https://www.listclassaction.com/. Consumers without access to the Internet can call 1-866-416-3470 for information about how to register by mail. Registration is currently available.

After the settlement is approved and all appeals are resolved, consumers who have registered will have six months to activate the credit monitoring benefit. Consumers should carefully consider their options. Consumer may register only one time. Subsequent attempts to register will be invalidated.

The lawsuit claims that TransUnion violated the Fair Credit Reporting Act and state laws when they sold lists containing personal and financial consumer information to third parties for marketing purposes.

The settlement does not mean TransUnion violated any laws or did anything wrong. TransUnion denies any claims of wrongdoing in this case. Michael Rupured, consumer economics specialist at the University of Georgia shared this information with me!

Joan Mason is Sumter County Extension agent/Family & Consumer Sciences, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service. Contact her at 924-4476.