ROCKFORD— An Illinois man is suing a credit report business, alleging fraud and unfair business practices.
Robert Smith of Spring Grove filed a class action lawsuit, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, July 20 in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois Western Division against Snap-On Credit LLC, alleging antitrust violations and fraud.
According to the complaint, on Dec. 22, 2008, when Smith applied for a credit with Snap-On Credit, he had to electronically fill and sign the application and authorization for the defendant’s use of his credit information.
In 2016, the suit says, while Smith was obtaining a mortgage loan, he noticed a negative credit score impacted by two other applications for credit. He said he inquired with of an agent for Snap-On and was informed there were indeed three credit applications in 2008, 2014 and another in 2016.
According to the lawsuit, upon reviewing the copies of the applications, Smith determined that the only legitimate application was in 2008 and the other two applications were copies of his information with forged signatures.
The suit states this development caused him to suffer from mental and emotional distress, and financial and economic losses, including a decrease in credit worthiness and denial of credit.
The plaintiff alleges Snap-On maintained a policy and practice of using or obtaining consumer credit reports without permissible purpose and was aware that false credit applications are regularly submitted by its agents.
Smith seeks a trial by jury, judgment against the defendant, an injunction requiring the defendant to cease using or obtaining consumer credit reports, statutory damages of $1,000 per class member, actual damages suffered by each class, all legal costs and attorney fees, punitive damages and any other relief the court deems appropriate. He is represented by Jeffrey S. Hyslip of Hyslip & Taylor LLC LPA in Chicago.
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois Western Division Case number 3:16-cv-50244