Which set of benefits is the better deal in the class action suit against Trans Union

Question

Due to a class action suit against Trans Union (see https://www.listclassaction.com), most persons in the U.S. are entitled to register for the following benefit options:

Sign up for six months of credit monitoring services. If you select this option, you can also register to possibly receive cash benefits in the event of a cash distribution or file an individual lawsuit against the Defendants.

Sign up for nine months of enhanced credit monitoring services. If you select this option, you will not receive any further benefits, including a cash payment, and you will not be able to file an individual lawsuit against the Defendants.

Register to possibly receive a cash payment. If you select this option, you can also sign up for six months of credit monitoring; however if you receive a cash payment, you cannot file an individual lawsuit against the Defendants.

To receive any of the benefits, we "must register by September 24, 2008."

("Enhanced" means that option also includes the scores used by insurance companies. Regular monitoring includes only the scores used by creditors.)

Which is the better deal? Six months of regular monitoring plus the possibility of cash or nine months of enhanced monitoring and no chance at any cash?

Answer 1

Pretty much 'none of the above'.  Credit monitoring is really pretty worthless, enhanced or not.  Sure you can pull your report every month and check your score but that's totally unnecessary.

As is the case with most class action lawsuits, the lawyers got all the big cash.

Answer 2

If you are planning on making any major purchases in the next few months, the enhanced credit monitoring is probably your best bet.

I doubt the cash payout will be worth all that much, but you can always sign up for the basic monitoring and cash payout just to cover your bases.  

Answer 3

If you take the time to read the settlement details, you will see that the lawyers are first in line, followed by their assistants and other people who were involved on the legal end.  Then the actual plaintiffs get their cut.

A portion of the settlement goes to charity.

Finally, the rest will be divided among the may millions of people who file.

If you had a credit card, loan, or anything that would qualify you to have a credit history, you qualify.  So that puts about half the US population in line.

Do you really think there will be a very large cash settlement?  Just take the 9 months.

The only real justice is if all of those who qualify signed up and totally flood TransUnion with applications and constant monitoring request.  That will cost them a true fortune.  We just need to get the word out.