Violations of FACTA Can Lead to Identity Theft from Receipts

The Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACTA) was enacted to help protect consumers from identity theft from receipts, regulating the information that can be printed. If you have received a printed receipt that displays more than the last five digits of your card number, or any portion of the card’s expiration date, you may be entitled to some compensation through a class action lawsuit investigation.

Background of FACTA

In response to the problem of identity theft, the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act was first passed by Congress back in 2003 to help protect consumers’ information. FACTA is intended to prevent identity theft from receipts with too much credit card information printed. Businesses are required to have machines set to print receipts that fully comply with FACTA rules. After it was initially passed, businesses had a few years’ grace period to get their machines in order. FACTA rules have been in full force since 2006.

Those who are familiar with basic FACTA debit card receipt rules are better able to protect their information from fraud and theft, as the information of others that may have been exposed as well. Businesses that fully understand these FACTA credit and debit card receipt rules are also better able to protect their customers and avoid potential FACTA lawsuits. Consumers who report violations of FACTA rules may even be eligible for some kind of financial compensation.

FACTA Rules

There are two pieces of information that FACTA prohibits in order to prevent identity theft from receipts: any digits other than the last five digits of the credit or debit card number, and any portion of the expiration date.

Truncating, or shortening, the credit card number in any way other than this is a FACTA violation. For instance, printing the first five digits is not allowed—only the last five. Printing fewer than the last five digits is allowed, as long as the numbers are from within those last five digits.

So, this is FACTA-compliant:

**** **** **** 1234

while this is not:

1234 **** **** ****

The expiration date must not be simply truncated, but rather censored entirely.

When a business violates FACTA rules, it can affect more than just one person’s information. This is because a machine that prints one receipt in violation of FACTA rules likely prints every other receipt with the same errors. If you notice a FACTA receipt violation, hundreds or even thousands of other customers may have been affected by the same violation.

Filing a FACTA Lawsuit

FACTA offers awards of up to $1,000 per violation of FACTA credit and debit card receipt rules. These awards do not require having actually been injured by identity theft from receipts.

Proving that a business violated FACTA is fairly simple. Take note of whether or not your receipts follow FACTA regulations for both card numbers and expiration dates. Consulting a FACTA attorney can help you navigate filing a FACTA lawsuit against the business at fault.

Free FACTA Class Action Lawsuit Investigation

If you made one or more purchases and the retailer provided you with a receipt that contained more than the last five digits of your credit or debit card number or the expiration date, you may be eligible for a free class action lawsuit investigation and to pursue compensation for these FACTA violations.

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