ZIP Code Class Action Lawsuits Allege Invasion of Privacy

The new “data mining” industry seeks to pool and analyze information about consumers’ spending habits to allow companies to better adapt their advertising and business models to their customers.

However, the process of collecting a person’s data can become intrusive. Fortunately, laws exist which protect consumers from certain types of intrusive data mining. Recent privacy class action lawsuit in California and Massachusetts have alleged that many chain stores, including some recognizable retail industry giants, have violated these laws.

Specifically, it has been alleged in these ZIP code class action lawsuits that dozens of retailers have demanded consumers’ ZIP codes before processing credit card transactions. In some cases, credit card readers at checkout lines automatically asked consumers for their ZIP code, while in other cases cashiers asked the customers themselves.

In some states, specific laws prevent asking for this sort of information on the grounds that it is a potential invasion of privacy. Due to this, various consumer privacy class action lawsuits filed over this issue tend to be located in the states of Massachusetts and California. In these states, consumer-protection laws happen to be stated in a way that makes this practice explicitly illegal.

Among the accused retailers are many very recognizable, nationwide brands including companies such as Apple, Michaels, Officemax, Kohl’s, Lululemon, and dozens of others. The high-profile nature of these companies has attracted considerable interest from consumers and legal sources. This could trigger further lawsuits in other states with similar laws, or even lead to the passage of similar legislation in other states. So far, hundreds of lawsuits have been filed in both California and Massachusetts against the various retailers.

File a ZIP Code Privacy Invasion Class Action Lawsuit Claim

If you live in California or Massachusetts, and a retailer required your ZIP code before processing a credit card transaction, you may be entitled to compensation. See if you qualify now at the Merchant ZIP Code Collection Class Action Lawsuit Investigation.