A new class-action lawsuit alleges Apple violates the Fair Credit Reporting Act, according to Information Week.
The act, amended in 2003, states that "No person that accepts credit cards or debit cards for the transaction of business shall print more than the last five digits of the card number or the expiration date upon any receipt provided to the card holder at the point of sale or transaction."
The lawsuit alleges that Apple violates the act by printing credit card expiration dates on Apple Online Store receipts. In addition, the suit points out that the purchaser's full name, full home address, full phone number and full e-mail address are also printed, arguably increasing the risk of identity theft.
Like many big businesses, Apple routinely has lawsuits filed against them, most of which are later settled out of court. In this case, the lawsuit demands $100 to $1000 for each class member (which if certified as a class action, may encompass anyone who has shopped at the Apple Online Store in 2007) plus expenses, however a settled amount would likely be much less.
Updates 1 and 2: There is debate in the forums as to whether the lawsuit is actually seeking damages. The lawsuit does appear to be seeking damages along with an injunction, but does not seek "actual" damages since such damages would be impossible to quantify. Users who may have suffered actual monetary damages due to Apple's alleged illegal practices would have the ability to opt-out of the class and pursue their own legal action against Apple if they wished to pursue damages.
Raw Data (pdf links):
- The Lawsuit
- Fair Credit Reporting Act
