Trans Union Hit with $60 Million Verdict Over FCRA Violations
Trans Union Hit with $60 Million Verdict Over FCRA Violations

In December, a California judge upheld a jury’s $60 million verdict against TransUnion for violating the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). Five years ago, a consumer class action was filed against the company after it confused more than 8,000 consumers’ names with the names of criminals and terrorists on a government watch list.

The named plaintiff, Sergio Ramirez or Fremont, California, was denied a car loan when his TransUnion credit report showed an “Office of Foreign Assets Control” (OFAC) alert. The alert warns lenders if a person is on a “blocked persons” list with the OFAC. People on the list include known terrorists, drug traffickers and arms dealers.  In June, a jury found the Trans Union in violation of the FCRA, resulting in the verdict. Ramirez’s lawsuit argued that TransUnion’s communication did not constitute a proper consumer file disclosure under the FCRA.

TransUnion appealed the initial verdict, arguing that the plaintiffs could not prove their damages. However, the appeals court judge stated that the jury’s award was based on substantial evidence and upheld the decision.

The jury’s award included $8 million in statutory damages and $52 million in punitive damages. According to the verdict, TransUnion willfully violated the FCRA by linking innocent consumers to terrorists on the watch list.

“Consumers entrust their personal information to credit bureaus. This places a significant responsibility on these companies to protect consumer information. When they violate this duty, they should be held accountable,” said Attorney Walter Clark, founder of Walter Clark Legal Group.

Our firm has been handling personal injury cases throughout the California Low Desert and High Desert communities for over 30 years. With a 95% success rate, the California personal injury attorneys at Walter Clark Legal Group will fight to hold those responsible for your loss accountable and win compensation to cover medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If you have been injured and want to discuss your legal options, contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer. We have offices in Indio, Rancho Mirage, Victorville, and Yucca Valley and represent clients through the entire California Low Desert and High Desert communities.

DISCLAIMER: The Walter Clark Legal Group blog is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended as legal or medical advice. References to laws are based on general legal practices and vary by location. Information reported comes from secondary news sources. We do handle these types of cases, but whether or not the individuals and/or loved ones involved in these accidents choose to be represented by a law firm is a personal choice we respect. Should you find any of the information incorrect, we welcome you to contact us with corrections.

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