Equifax Settles FTC Charges Stemming From Sale of Consumer Lists to Marketers

Equifax Information Services LLC agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission allegations that it unlawfully sold lists of consumers who were behind on their mortgage payments to third parties who then used the data to market debt relief and loan modification services to those consumers, according to a proposed FTC consent order announced Oct. 10 (In re Equifax Information Services LLC, FTC, File No. 102 3000).

In a separate settlement, the buyer of the lists, Direct Lending Source Inc., will pay a $1.2 million civil penalty and be barred from using or selling such lists without a permissible ...