Top Class Actions  |  March 27, 2014

Category: Consumer News

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ZIP code class action lawsuit State Supreme Court rulings in Massachusetts and California have led to an influx of class action lawsuits against retailers who request ZIP codes during credit card transactions. More than 100 ZIP code class action lawsuits have been filed by consumers who say the practice violates their right to privacy. So far, millions of dollars in class action settlement money has been awarded to consumers in these states.

The Massachusetts Zip Code Collection Class Action Lawsuit Decision

In Massachusetts, the state supreme court ruled in Tyler v. Michaels Stores last March that zip codes qualified as personal identifying information under the state’s Unfair Trade Practices Act. For purchases not requiring delivery or services performed at the address, no stores or other businesses can ask for the zip code as part of the transaction. Legislators there further strengthened the relevant statutes by adding debit cards to the list of transactions.

Michaels Stores, along with other retailers operating in the state, argued that the purpose was for marketing and more general purposes. However, zip code collection class action lawsuit attorneys argue that they can still benefit from the data collected from transactions through other means.

California Consumer’s Victory in Pineda v. Williams Sonoma

The California Supreme Court came to a similar conclusion as the judges in Massachusetts did, although the violations at issue are tied to the Song-Beverly Credit Card Act and its definition of personal identifying information.

There are certain questions regarding the potential for zip code class action lawsuits to pursue damages on behalf of alleged victims, however. While the decision applies retroactively, there are still issues to resolve regarding an “electronic credit card transaction form.”

Will Other States Follow?

These cases are two of the clearest regarding the protection of consumers’ rights in credit card and debit card transactions. However, with about a dozen other states having similar statutes on the books, it may be just a matter of time for more class action lawsuits to come.

Join a ZIP Code Collection Class Action Lawsuit Today

If you are a Massachusetts or California resident who had to provide your zip code as part of a credit card transaction, you may have legal remedies available to you based on the above-mentioned court decisions. Learn more at the Merchant ZIP Code Collection Class Action Lawsuit Investigation. While there, fill out the case submission form for a free case eligibility review from one of our partner zip code collection class action attorneys regarding violations of the Song-Beverly Credit Card Act or the Massachusetts Deceptive Trade Practices Act.

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