Pennsylvania Complaint Against Trans Union for Citing Bankruptcy on Consumer Credit Report

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA

JOHN DOE           Plaintiff,   v.   TRANS UNION, LLC,             Defendants

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Civil Action No.     COMPLAINT

 Preliminary Statement

1. This is an action for damages brought by an individual consumer against Defendant Trans Union, LLC for violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (“FCRA”), 15 U.S.C. §§ 1681, et seq.

The Parties

1. Plaintiff  is an adult individual residing  in Michigan.
2. Defendant, Trans Union, LLC (“Trans Union”), is a consumer reporting agency that regularly conducts business in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and which has a principal place of business located at 1510 Chester Pike, Crum Lynne, PA 19022.

Jurisdiction And Venue

1. Jurisdiction of this Court arises under 15 U.S.C. § 1681p and 28 U.S.C. § 1331.
2. Venue lies properly in this district pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1391(b).

Factual Allegations

1. Defendant has been reporting derogatory and inaccurate statements and information relating to Plaintiff and Plaintiff’s credit history to third parties (“inaccurate information”) from at least July 2012 through present. The inaccurate information includes an account with GECRB/ Bryant Corp. and identifying personal information.
2. Specifically, the GECRB/ Bryant Corp. account is reporting as included in “bankruptcy” on Plaintiff’s Trans Union credit report, despite the fact that no public record of bankruptcy appears on Plaintiff’s consumer reports.  The GECRB/ Bryant Corp. account does not belong to Plaintiff, nor had Plaintiff declared or filed for bankruptcy.
3. The inaccurate information negatively reflects upon the Plaintiff, Plaintiff’s credit repayment history, Plaintiff’s financial responsibility as a debtor and Plaintiff’s creditworthiness.  The inaccurate information consists of accounts and/or tradelines that do not belong to the Plaintiff, and that actually belong to another consumer.  Due to Defendant’s faulty procedures, Defendant mixed the credit file of Plaintiff and that of another consumer with respect to the inaccurate information and other personal identifying information.
4. Defendant has been reporting the inaccurate information through the issuance of false and inaccurate credit information and consumer credit reports that they have disseminated to various persons and credit grantors, both known and unknown.  Defendant has repeatedly published and disseminated consumer reports to such third parties from at least July 2012 through the present.
5. Plaintiff’s credit report and file has been obtained from Defendant and has been reviewed by prospective and existing credit grantors and extenders of credit, and the inaccurate information has been a substantial factor in precluding Plaintiff from receiving different credit offers and opportunities, known and unknown.  Plaintiff’s credit reports have been obtained from Defendant by such third parties from at least March 2012 through the present.
6. As of result of Defendant’s conduct, Plaintiff has suffered actual damages in the form of lost credit opportunities, harm to credit reputation and credit score, and emotional distress.
7. At all times pertinent hereto, Defendant was acting by and through its agents, servants and/or employees who were acting within the course and scope of their agency or employment, and under the direct supervision and control of the Defendant herein.
8. At all times pertinent hereto, the conduct of the Defendants, as well as that of their agents, servants and/or employees, was intentional, willful, reckless, and in grossly negligent disregard for federal laws and the rights of the Plaintiff herein.

Count One – Violations Of The FCRA

(Plaintiff v. Trans Union)

 1. Plaintiff incorporates the foregoing paragraphs as though the same were set forth at length herein.

1. At all times pertinent hereto, Trans Union was a “person” and a “consumer reporting agency” as those terms are defined by 15 U.S.C. § 1681a(b) and (f).
2. At all times pertinent hereto, Plaintiff was a “consumer” as that term is defined by 15 U.S.C. § 1681a(c).
3. At all times pertinent hereto, the above-mentioned credit reports were “consumer reports” as that term is defined by 15 U.S.C. § 1681a(d).
4. Pursuant to 15 U.S.C. §1681n and 15 U.S.C. §1681o, Trans Union is liable to the Plaintiff for willfully and negligently failing to comply with the requirements imposed on a consumer reporting agency of information pursuant to 15 U.S.C. §§ 1681e(b).
5. The conduct of Trans Union was a direct and proximate cause, as well as a substantial factor, in bringing about the serious injuries, actual damages and harm to Plaintiff that are outlined more fully above and, as a result, Trans Union is liable to Plaintiff for the full amount of statutory, actual and punitive damages, along with the attorney’s fees and the costs of litigation, as well as such further relief, as may be permitted by law.

Jury Trial Demanded

1.      Plaintiff demands trial by jury on all issues so triable.

Prayer For Relief

WHEREFORE, Plaintiff seeks judgment in Plaintiff’s favor and damages against the Defendant, based on the following requested relief:

1. Actual damages;
2. Statutory damages;
3. Punitive damages;
4. Costs and reasonable attorney’s fees; and
5. Such other and further relief as may be necessary, just and proper.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

FRANCIS & MAILMAN, P.C.

BY:        /s/ Mark Mailman                            

MARK MAILMAN, ESQUIRE

ERIN A. NOVAK, ESQUIRE

Land Title Building, 19th Floor

100 South Broad Street

Philadelphia, PA 19110

(215) 735-8600

Attorneys for Plaintiff