Eisenberg v. Confi-Chek Inc. Settlement: What Illinois Residents Need to Know About the PeopleFinders Class Action

If your name appeared on PeopleFinders.com and you were an Illinois resident between November 2, 2021, and January 1, 2023, you may have been part of a class action lawsuit against Confi-Chek, Inc. — the company that operates that website. The case, Eisenberg v. Confi-Chek, Inc., resulted in a nearly $4.9 million settlement over allegations that Confi-Chek used people's personal information to promote its paid subscription service without their consent, in violation of Illinois law.

This article explains what the lawsuit was about, who was eligible to participate, what the settlement offered, and what rights Illinois residents have under the law that made this case possible.

What Is Eisenberg v. Confi-Chek, Inc.?

Eisenberg v. Confi-Chek, Inc., Case No. 2021-CH-05599, was filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois. The named plaintiff, Marilyn Eisenberg, brought the lawsuit on behalf of herself and a class of Illinois residents whose identifying information was displayed on PeopleFinders.com.

The lawsuit alleged that Confi-Chek violated the Illinois Right of Publicity Act (765 ILCS 1075) by displaying people's names and other identifying details on its people-search website as a way to attract visitors and encourage them to purchase paid subscriptions — without ever obtaining consent from those individuals.

Confi-Chek denied the allegations and raised several defenses, including arguments that the plaintiff failed to adequately allege a commercial purpose and that the claims implicated constitutional concerns. The parties ultimately chose to resolve the dispute through settlement rather than continue litigation.

What Is the Illinois Right of Publicity Act?

The Illinois Right of Publicity Act (IRPA), codified at 765 ILCS 1075, has been in effect since January 1, 1999. It protects every individual's right to control how their identity is used for commercial purposes.

Under the IRPA, "identity" is broadly defined. It includes a person's name, signature, photograph, image, likeness, or voice — any attribute that identifies them to a reasonable person. "Commercial purpose" under the statute means using someone's identity in connection with selling a product or service, advertising or promoting goods, or fundraising. A person who violates the Act can be held liable for actual damages, the profits derived from the unauthorized use, or a minimum of $1,000 in statutory damages per violation, under 765 ILCS 1075/40.

The IRPA specifically prohibits using an individual's identity for commercial purposes without prior written consent. People-search websites have increasingly faced legal scrutiny under this law and similar statutes in other states because they commonly display personal information as a preview to lure users into purchasing full background report subscriptions.

What Was PeopleFinders.com Accused of Doing?

PeopleFinders.com is a directory website operated by Confi-Chek, Inc. that aggregates publicly available information about individuals. Anyone can search for a person's name on the site for free, which generates a partial profile. To access the full report — including address history, phone numbers, relatives, and other details — users are prompted to pay for a subscription.

The lawsuit alleged that by displaying individuals' names and identifying information as a teaser to drive subscription purchases, Confi-Chek was using those identities for a commercial purpose under Illinois law without obtaining consent. The plaintiff argued this practice directly benefited Confi-Chek financially by converting personal data into advertising for its paid services — all without the knowledge or approval of the people whose information appeared on the site.

Who Was Included in the Settlement Class?

The Settlement Class was defined to include all living Illinois residents whose profiles were displayed and clicked on PeopleFinders.com between November 2, 2021, and January 1, 2023. To be a class member, your profile must have been actively viewed — not merely listed — during that window.

Excluded from the class were judges presiding over the case, Confi-Chek and its affiliated entities, individuals who timely opted out of the settlement, and their legal representatives or assigns.

What Did the Settlement Provide?

Confi-Chek agreed to establish a settlement fund of $4,896,540. After deducting costs for notice and administration, attorneys' fees of up to 35% of the fund, and a $1,000 incentive award for the named plaintiff, the remaining balance was to be distributed on a pro rata basis to class members who submitted valid claim forms.

Individual payments were estimated at between $89 and $178, depending on the total number of valid claims submitted. Class members could choose to receive payment by check, Venmo, or Zelle.

The Final Approval Hearing was scheduled for November 14, 2024, in Cook County Circuit Court. If the court approved the settlement, payments were to be issued within 28 days of the settlement's effective date. Unclaimed or undeliverable payments would expire 180 days after issuance and revert to the settlement fund for redistribution, or, if redistribution was not feasible, to Legal Aid Chicago.

Who Represented the Class?

The Court appointed the following attorneys as Class Counsel:

1. J. Eli Wade-Scott, Ari J. Scharg, and Michael Ovca of Edelson PC
2. Philip L. Fraietta of Bursor & Fisher, P.A.

Confi-Chek was represented by Pamela Q. Devata and John W. Drury of Seyfarth Shaw LLP.

Deadlines and Procedural History

The opt-out and objection deadline for the settlement was October 7, 2024. Class members who wanted to exclude themselves from the settlement were required to submit a written, signed exclusion request by that date — by mail or email — to the Settlement Administrator. Opt-outs could not be submitted by phone or through group submissions. Each request had to be submitted individually.

Class members who chose to remain in the settlement had the option to file a claim to receive a cash payment. Approved claimants received their share of the net settlement fund after all deductions. Those who neither opted out nor filed a claim released their claims against Confi-Chek but received no payment.

What Does This Case Mean for Illinois Consumers?

The Eisenberg v. Confi-Chek settlement is part of a broader legal trend targeting people-search and data aggregator websites that profit from displaying personal information without consent. Illinois has been at the forefront of this litigation environment, in part because the state's right of publicity law provides meaningful statutory damages and does not require plaintiffs to prove actual financial harm.

The case illustrates a key legal principle: when a company uses your name and personal details to generate revenue — even indirectly, by attracting visitors and converting them to paying subscribers — it may be engaging in commercial use of your identity under Illinois law. That use requires your prior written consent.

If you believe a people-search website or data broker is using your personal information without your consent, you may have legal options. The right course of action depends on the facts of your situation, the state you live in, and the specific laws that apply to your claim.

Frequently Asked Questions About Eisenberg v. Confi-Chek

What is Eisenberg v. Confi-Chek about?

It is a class action lawsuit alleging that Confi-Chek, Inc., the operator of PeopleFinders.com, violated the Illinois Right of Publicity Act by displaying Illinois residents' personal information to promote its paid subscription service without their consent.

What is the Eisenberg v. Confi-Chek settlement amount?

Confi-Chek agreed to pay $4,896,540 into a settlement fund. Individual payments to class members who filed valid claims were estimated between $89 and $178, depending on total claims submitted.

Who qualified for the Eisenberg v. Confi-Chek settlement?

Living Illinois residents whose profiles were displayed and clicked on PeopleFinders.com between November 2, 2021, and January 1, 2023.

What is the Illinois Right of Publicity Act?

It is a state law, codified at 765 ILCS 1075, that gives individuals the right to control how their identity — including their name, image, and likeness — is used for commercial purposes. It requires prior written consent before a person's identity can be commercially exploited.

Can a people-search website use my name without permission?

Under the Illinois Right of Publicity Act, using someone's name or identity for commercial purposes — such as to promote a paid subscription service — without their written consent may violate Illinois law. Cases like Eisenberg v. Confi-Chek have tested this theory successfully.

What is PeopleFinders.com?

PeopleFinders.com is a people-search website operated by Confi-Chek, Inc. It allows users to search for individuals by name and displays partial profile information for free, then charges for full background reports.

Is the Eisenberg v. Confi-Chek settlement still open?

The claim deadline and opt-out deadline have passed (October 7, 2024), and the Final Approval Hearing was scheduled for November 14, 2024. The claims period for this particular settlement is closed.

What did the Eisenberg v. Confi-Chek case number refer to?

The case was filed as Case No. 2021-CH-05599 in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois. It was later consolidated with related federal litigation in the Northern District of Illinois.

Do I need a lawyer to file a claim in a class action settlement?

Class members are represented by court-appointed Class Counsel in most class action settlements. You generally do not need to hire your own attorney to submit a claim, though you have the right to retain one at your own expense.

What happens if I did not file a claim in the Eisenberg settlement?

Class members who did not opt out and did not file a claim released their legal claims against Confi-Chek but received no monetary payment from the settlement fund.

Are there similar lawsuits against other people-search websites?

Yes. Courts in Illinois and other states have seen a wave of right of publicity and privacy-related cases targeting data aggregator and people-search websites. The legal theories and outcomes vary by state and platform.

What should I do if a data broker is using my information without consent?

If you are an Illinois resident, you may have a claim under the Illinois Right of Publicity Act. Consulting a consumer protection or privacy attorney is the best way to evaluate your specific situation and options.

This content is for general informational purposes only, is not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Joy Coleman is licensed in Georgia and New Jersey and is not licensed to practice law in Illinois. Readers should consult a qualified attorney licensed in their jurisdiction.

If you have concerns about how your personal data is being used, a consumer protection attorney can help you understand your rights. Use the Get Matched feature on AttorneyReview.com to connect with an attorney who handles privacy and data law matters.