National Tenant Network $1.625 Million Settlement Over Illegal Eviction Postcards

National Tenant Network and its related entity, LCIJ Inc., were accused of using eviction-related information in a way that may have violated the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). According to the allegations in the class action, between June 30, 2018 and Dec. 3, 2023, they sent landlords “consumer report” style postcards that disclosed a resident’s prior eviction filings—along with language implying the landlord could have been warned earlier about “trouble tenants.” The lawsuit argued this postcard approach unlawfully treated sensitive tenant history like reportable consumer data without complying with the FCRA’s rules and safeguards. The case matters because the parties agreed to resolve it with at least a $1.625 million settlement, after the plaintiff claimed the postcards should have triggered FCRA-compliant processes instead of being mailed in this format. The settlement is significant for affected tenants because eligible people—specifically those who received substantially similar postcards directed to landlords during the covered period—may be able to claim a pro rata cash payment, depending on how many valid claims are submitted and court-approved deductions for fees, expenses, and a service award. This type of resolution is also a reminder that “tenant screening” and eviction-history data companies are closely watched under consumer reporting laws, and similar disputes have arisen when credit- and background-reporting practices are shared in ways that blur the line between marketing and regulated reporting. More broadly, the settlement reflects ongoing tension in the rental industry over how tenant-screening information is obtained, packaged, and communicated, particularly where “consumer report” rules may apply to eviction or court-filing data used to influence landlord decisions. Under the FCRA and related regulations, entities acting as consumer reporting agencies generally must follow strict requirements around permissible purposes, accuracy, notice, and how information is presented—meaning postcard-style disclosures can raise compliance questions, even when the information is tied to public records. For class members, the practical takeaway is straightforward: eligibility turns on being the subject of the specific postcard outreach, and payments are handled through a claim process with a Sept. 22, 2026 deadline for both submitting claims and opting out, so tenants who believe they were targeted should act promptly to preserve their potential recovery.