Consumers who had a credit card, loan or credit account between 1987 and May 28, 2008 can now register to receive free TransUnion services for a limited time. This benefit is the result of a class action settlement stemming from TransUnion’s sale of consumer information to other businesses for marketing purposes.

Under terms of the agreement, your benefit options include:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.

Note that if you select the cash payment option, you will only receive payment after two years, and only if there is any money left over from the $75 million settlement fund set aside for this purpose that has not been used up by other “post-settlement claims” or various administrative costs, including notifying class action members, claims administration and legal fees.

Register by September 24, 2008 at this link. (Thanks to reader Eric.)