Woman wins $18.6 million for two-year battle over credit report mistakes. - Polidicks

[url]http://www.nbcnews.com/business/woman-wins-18-6-million-two-year-battle-over-credit-6C10772195[/url] [QUOTE]PORTLAND, Ore. -- A federal jury in Oregon has awarded $18.6 million to a woman who spent two years unsuccessfully trying to get Equifax Information Services to fix major mistakes on her credit report. Julie Miller of Marion County was awarded $18.4 million in punitive damages and $180,000 in compensatory damages, though Friday's award against one of the nation's major credit bureaus is likely to be appealed, The Oregonian reported. The jury was told she contacted Equifax eight times between 2009 and 2011 in an effort to correct inaccuracies, including erroneous accounts and collection attempts, as well as a wrong Social Security number and birthday. Her lawsuit alleged the Atlanta-based company failed to correct the mistakes. "There was damage to her reputation, a breach of her privacy and the lost opportunity to seek credit," said Justin Baxter, a Portland attorney[/QUOTE] [QUOTE]A Federal Trade Commission study earlier this year of 1,001 consumers who reviewed 2,968 of their credit reports found 21 percent contained errors. The survey found that 5 percent of the errors represented issues that would lead consumers to be denied credit.[/QUOTE]

You know i would of thought that they being a corporation would pay attention to details with this kind of thing. But congrats to her, man she must be really ecstatic.

That's a lot of money, what the hell are you supposed to tell your kids when they ask you where their fabulous lifestyle comes from

[QUOTE=wanksta11;41622365]That's a lot of money, what the hell are you supposed to tell your kids when they ask you where their fabulous lifestyle comes from[/QUOTE] The obvious choice is "The Lottery" or "Won a CASE". That is a lot of money for winning a case in the court but good for her.

Sounds like she deserved to win that case, but $18 million is a bit much.

[QUOTE=Robber;41622862]Sounds like she deserved to win that case, but $18 million is a bit much.[/QUOTE] Most of it is in punitive damages, which is intended to punish the company so that they avoid the mistake in the future. The compensation she would have wanted would be the $180k.

Most of which will go to court fees.

I've wondered and I feel dumb for this, but does this mean the whole $18.6 million is in her checking account just like that?

$18.4 million what the hell? Even $500,000 would have been too much.

[QUOTE=Map in a box;41625517]Most of which will go to court fees.[/QUOTE] Court fee's and lawyers are pricey and crippling but not that crazy.

[QUOTE=Sword and Paint;41630617]$18.4 million what the hell? Even $500,000 would have been too much.[/QUOTE] $500,000 is nothing to a company like Equifax. Shit, even $18.6 million is [I]still[/I] nothing to a company like Equifax.

So wait, they gave her almost $20,000,000 because she never had the opportunity to get herself into massive debt? Wow.

[QUOTE=frozensoda;41631699]So wait, they gave her almost $20,000,000 because she never had the opportunity to get herself into massive debt? Wow.[/QUOTE] If your credit report is all fucked and wrong you won't be able to apply for any credits. That means if you want to get a home of your own, you're screwed, if you want to get a car, you're screwed. Hell, if you want to ask for a loan for a company or the likes you are also screwed. People have this terror against loans and credit but if you're not a complete idiot and know how to handle your money you can safely get in a credit and buy things that are worth investing on and may give you a profit in the future. If you're denied that because some dumb company can't be arsed to fix some mistakes in your credit profile then it becomes a potential threat to your abilities of growth and development, at least in a capitalistic society like the U.S. 18.6 million dollars seems too much to me though..

[QUOTE=barttool;41631780]If your credit report is all fucked and wrong you won't be able to apply for any credits. That means if you want to get a home of your own, you're screwed, if you want to get a car, you're screwed. Hell, if you want to ask for a loan for a company or the likes you are also screwed. People have this terror against loans and credit but if you're not a complete idiot and know how to handle your money you can safely get in a credit and buy things that are worth investing on and may give you a profit in the future. If you're denied that because some dumb company can't be arsed to fix some mistakes in your credit profile then it becomes a potential threat to your abilities of growth and development, at least in a capitalistic society like the U.S. 18.6 million dollars seems too much to me though..[/QUOTE] Judging by the landscape of debt in america most people do not act responsibly with credit, and I have no credit report. When I need a new car I put what money I have together and buy one that I can afford, not stretch out the payments across 5 years while doubling the cost of something that is constantly losing value. Besides so she couldn't apply for a loan to buy a house, or a car, how is that worth $20 million dollars? Credit is an excuse to buy things you can't afford, and most people end up with no money, no credit, and no house/car/etc. Credit only works if absolutely nothing ever goes wrong in your life. I just don't see how missing an opportunity to get into debt should be worth anything, I get the part about reputation but that's certainly not worth anywhere near $18.6 million

[QUOTE=frozensoda;41631699]So wait, they gave her almost $20,000,000 because she never had the opportunity to get herself into massive debt? Wow.[/QUOTE] [I]Punitive[/I] damages. It's meant to punish the company for fucking up.

[QUOTE=frozensoda;41631699]So wait, they gave her almost $20,000,000 because she never had the opportunity to get herself into massive debt? Wow.[/QUOTE] They gave her $180,000 and then $18m in punitive damages because they kept fucking up her credit reports. Absolutely nothing to do with debt. Credit cards do not mean debt

This is essentially an ass whooping