AP: High Court to Hear Consumer Credit Case (insurance rates)

[Eugene]

High Court to Hear Consumer Credit Case

By PETE YOST
The Associated Press
Tuesday, January 16, 2007; 3:54 AM

WASHINGTON -- Lawyers for insurance companies and consumers want the Supreme
Court to settle a dispute over notifying customers when their credit report is used
against them.

At issue in arguments to be presented to the court Tuesday are requirements in the
Fair Credit Reporting Act holding businesses liable when they fail to inform customers
of adverse decisions made because of credit reports.

A decision a year ago by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco
would make it easier for consumers to prevail when they sue corporations for allegedly
violating the law. The Supreme Court agreed to hear the appeal of two insurance
companies, GEICO and Safeco.

-snip-

"Consumers who do not receive an adverse action notice ... do not learn of their right
to a free credit report to check its accuracy," a half-dozen advocacy groups said in
court papers.

-snip-

Full article: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/16/AR2007011600139.html