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Individuals whom Guadalupe Credit Union filed a collections lawsuit against in a New Mexico magistrate court without representation by a New Mexico-licensed attorney may be eligible to receive a $1,000 cash payment plus a refund of any amount collected after the lawsuit's filing as part of a class action settlement.
Guadalupe Credit Union agreed to pay at least $565,532 to settle a class action lawsuit alleging it filed collections lawsuits in a New Mexico magistrate court without being represented by a licensed attorney. The plaintiffs claimed these actions constituted the unauthorized practice of law and violated the New Mexico Unfair Practices Act.
Who are the class members?
Class members must meet the following criteria:
- Guadalupe Credit Union filed a collections lawsuit against them in a New Mexico magistrate court on or after Oct. 7, 2015.
- A New Mexico-licensed attorney did not represent Guadalupe Credit Union in the lawsuit.
How much are settlement payments?
Cash payment: Eligible class members will receive a cash payment of $1,000 plus a refund of any amount they paid to Guadalupe Credit Union after it filed their collections lawsuit.
No claim form required
Class members do not need to file a claim to receive a settlement payment.
- Class members can submit an address update online using the notice ID and PIN from their settlement notice or mail or email the request to the settlement administrator. Address update requests by mail or email require the person's full name, previous address, current address and notice ID.
- Class members can submit name-change updates by mailing or emailing the settlement administrator. These requests require a copy of a marriage license, divorce decree or court order, the person's original name, their current address and the notice ID.
- Individuals can submit a payee name change on behalf of a deceased class member by mailing or emailing the settlement administrator. Payee name-change requests must include a copy of the class member's death certificate and documentation showing the new payee is the legal beneficiary, such as a will or other estate documents.
Settlement administrator's mailing address: Salas v Guadalupe Credit Union, c/o Settlement Administrator, PO Box 23668, Jacksonville, FL 32241
Settlement administrator's email address: info@salasvgcusettlement.com
Payout options
- Paper check mailed to the address on file
Settlement fund breakdown
A settlement fund of $565,532 will include:
- Settlement administration costs: Up to $20,000
- Service awards to class representatives: Up to $5,000 each ($30,000)
- Payments to class members: $1,000 each plus refund of post-lawsuit collections
Class counsel will submit a motion for attorney fees and costs to the court for approval at a later date. Guadalupe Credit Union will pay these costs separately from the settlement fund.
Important dates
- Exclusion deadline: Nov. 30, 2026
- Final fairness hearing: Feb. 3, 2027
When is the Guadalupe Credit Union debt collection settlement payout date?
The settlement administrator will mail checks to eligible class members approximately 45 days after the court grants final approval of the settlement.
Why did this class action settlement happen?
The class action lawsuit alleged Guadalupe Credit Union filed collections lawsuits in a New Mexico magistrate court representation by a licensed attorney. The plaintiffs claimed this was the unauthorized practice of law and a violation of the New Mexico Unfair Practices Act.
Guadalupe Credit Union denied the allegations but agreed to settle to avoid the cost and uncertainty of further litigation.
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