On May 8, an Arizona federal judge held that a defendant debt collector was not entitled to a “bona fide error” defense in a claim brought under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act because the collector failed to show it had either a policy or procedure in force to address the specific error in the
FTC Issues Guidance for Employment Background Screening
On April 28, the Federal Trade Commission published a blog entitled “Background Checks on Prospective Employees: Keep Required Disclosures Simple.” In this online publication, the FTC issued guidance to employers on how to comply with the Fair Credit Reporting Act if they intend to use a consumer report (commonly referred to as a background check)
Defendants Move to Dismiss Putative FACTA Class Action Based on Spokeo
On April 7, defendants Wolfgang’s Steakhouse, Inc. and ZMF Restaurants LLC again urged a New York federal court judge to dismiss a Fair and Accurate Transactions Act putative class action based on the Supreme Court’s decision in Spokeo, Inc. v. Robins.
In Fullwood v. Wolfgang’s Steakhouse, Inc., plaintiff Cynthia Fullwood alleged
U.S. Supreme Court Rejects “Meaningful Attorney Involvement” Case
The United States Supreme Court declined a petition for writ of certiorari by a consumer regarding a collection letter on law firm letterhead with attorney signatures. The ruling of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia in Tawanda Jones v. David Sean Dufek, Sr. was left in place, holding that a
California Approves New Regulations Regarding Consideration of Criminal History in Employment Decisions
On March 27, the Office of Administrative Law for the State of California announced new regulations that even further limit employers’ ability to consider a job applicant’s criminal history when making hiring decisions.
Except if otherwise permitted by law, employers are prohibited from taking into consideration during the hiring process a number of enumerated offenses,
Health Care Management Company Sued in FCRA Class Action
Lawsuits under the Fair Credit Reporting Act resulting from allegedly inaccurate background checks do not appear to be going away. Just last week, plaintiff Michelle Petry filed a class action against IDE Management d/b/a Cathedral Health Care Centers, in the Southern District of Indiana, claiming that she was denied a job as a
Supreme Court Wavers During Oral Arguments in FDCPA Case That May Upend Entire Industry
On April 18, the United States Supreme Court heard long-awaited oral arguments in a case that addresses the fundamental issue of the definition of a “debt collector” under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. The Supreme Court’s decision will resolve an existing Circuit split on whether an entity that purchases defaulted debts and then attempts
North Carolina House Votes Overwhelmingly to “Ban the Box”
The North Carolina House of Representatives recently voted 98-14 to “ban the box” for state agency hiring. The bill would not apply to private employers or to state positions that “involve direct interaction with minors or the elderly.”
House Bill 409 would prevent state agencies from inquiring into an employment applicant’s criminal history at
Favorable Spokeo Decision Handed Down in Eastern District of Virginia
On April 17, the Eastern District of Virginia dismissed sua sponte a suit against a collection agency alleging that the debt collector failed to properly update the plaintiff consumer’s credit report, thereby violating the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Relying on the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in
Supreme Court Hears Oral Argument Involving Rule 23(f) Interlocutory Appeals
The United States Supreme Court recently heard oral argument in the case of Microsoft Corp. v. Baker, where the Court is set to determine whether a plaintiff can tactically circumvent Rule 23(f) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
Rule 23(f) provides for an interlocutory appeal of a district court’s denial of class