TransUnion to offer millions free credit monitoring

Credit reporting agency TransUnion says it'll offer millions of people up to nine months of free credit monitoring servings as part of a preliminary legal settlement.

The Chicago-based company says the deal ends a class-action lawsuit that was filed after the company sold marketing lists. It discontinued that practice in 2001.

Under the terms of the agreement announced Thursday, TransUnion will also set up a $75 million fund to pay for attorneys fees and outreach efforts to alert consumers of the settlement.

Those eligible for the credit monitoring services include those with an open line of credit from January 1, 1987, until May 28, 2008.

TransUnion keeps credit histories on 500 million consumers and hasn't admitted any wrongdoing.