Leasing Expenses Co. restitution

The Office of the New York State Attorney General (OAG) has collected more than $2 million from Leasing Expenses Co., NLS Equipment Finance LLC, and related entities and individuals for using and enforcing fraudulent equipment leases with small businesses. Qualifying victims will receive payments. 

The claims process is now open! The claims administrator, A.B. Data Ltd., began notifying qualifying individuals on March 4, 2026. The deadline to file a claim is June 2, 2026.

Overview of Leasing Expenses Co. restitution 

The New York State Supreme Court ordered Leasing Expenses Co., NLS Equipment Finance LLC, and related entities and individuals to return any money collected in connection with fraudulent equipment finance leases to victimized small businesses and their owners. 

Restitution fund of over $2 million to repay eligible Leasing Expenses Co. victims

 You may be eligible for payment if the following conditions apply to you: 

  • You own a business that entered into an equipment finance lease with NLS Equipment Finance LLC or that was serviced by Leasing Expenses Co.
  • You were the guarantor on such a lease.
  • You made $300 or more in payments on such a lease.

An outside company, A.B. Data Ltd., is managing the payments from the restitution fund. A.B. Data will:  

  • send notices to businesses and individuals who may be eligible for payment from the restitution fund 
  • process restitution payments 
  • answer questions related to restitution payments

A.B. Data Ltd. began notifying qualifying individuals on March 4, 2026. The deadline to file a claim is June 2, 2026. 

Once you receive notice, you can file a claim online or by mail.

Learn more about the Leasing Expenses Co. restitution distribution

Frequently asked questions about the Leasing Expenses Co. restitution distribution  

When and how can I file a claim?

If you are eligible for a restitution payment, you will receive a notice with a claim form that you can submit online or by mail. Your notice will have a unique claim ID number.  You must have this claim number to file your claim. 

You can fill out the claim form and mail it to A.B. Data Ltd. or complete the claim process online:

Full information about filing a claim will also be available in the FAQs on the A.B. Data restitution website. 

What if I think I qualify for restitution, but did not receive a notification or a claim number? 

Contact A.B. Data Ltd., the restitution administrator, in any of the following ways:

If I submitted a claim in the related Northern Leasing lawsuit, do I have to submit another claim form to get a restitution payment in the Leasing Expenses Co. lawsuit?

Yes. Even though this case is related to another lawsuit against Northern Leasing Systems, you must submit a claim form to apply for a restitution payment in the Leasing Expenses Co. and NLS-EF lawsuit. You must file a separate claim even if you submitted a claim form in the separate Northern Leasing lawsuit.