FTC Settles FCRA Suit Against “People-Search” Companies

by Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP - JD Supra

On September 11, the FTC announced that it had reached a settlement with two “people-search” companies which would resolve charges that the companies had engaged in practices that violated the Fair Credit Reporting Act (“FCRA”). The California-based defendants market “people-search” services, allowing users to search unlimited background reports on individuals, and charge monthly subscription fees to view the full reports. Searches can be run using an individual’s name and/or city and state of residence.

Read more: https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/ftc-settles-fcra-suit-against-people-5069104/

FTC Says TruthFinder, Instant Checkmate Deceived Users About Background Report Accuracy, Violated FCRA While Marketing Reports for Employee and Tenant Screening

Press release from Federal Trade Commission

The Federal Trade Commission will require background report providers TruthFinder and Instant Checkmate to pay $5.8 million to settle charges that they deceived consumers about whether consumers had criminal records and that the companies violated the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) by operating as consumer reporting agencies while, among other things, failing to ensure the maximum possible accuracy of their consumer reports.

“Companies that compile personal information and sell background reports are on notice: Don’t make false claims about the contents of your reports,” said Samuel Levine, Director of the Bureau of Consumer Protection. “And, if you market your reports to be used to screen tenants or employees, you are a consumer reporting agency and you must follow the requirements of the FCRA.”

Read more: https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2023/09/ftc-says-truthfinder-instant-checkmate-deceived-users-about-background-report-accuracy-violated-fcra

FTC Makes More State-Level Data Available About COVID-19 Related Complaints from Consumers

Press Release - Federal Trade Commission

The Federal Trade Commission is making more state-level information available to the public about the complaints it receives from consumers related to COVID-19, with reports about online shopping problems topping the list of complaints in most states.

Read more: https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2020/06/ftc-makes-more-state-level-data-available-about-covid-19-related