Verizon Wireless hit with new credit lawsuit

Verizon Wireless has been hit with another Fair Credit Reporting Act lawsuit.
The lawsuit, pending in Alabama federal court, asserts the No. 2 wireless service provider and TransUnion L.L.C. are ruining the credit of a wireless subscriber.
Plaintiff Johnny Howard said Verizon Wireless continues to try to collect more than $1,000 that he said he does not owe and to falsely report the disputed debt on his credit reports. Howard, who suspects he is the victim of identity theft, said he followed Verizon Wireless’ instructions to fill out a police report and send a copy to the carrier. A collection agency later received the police report, according to the lawsuit, but the problem was not resolved. The overdue account remained on Howard’s credit reports, prompting him to contact TransUnion L.L.C. and Equifax. Equifax eventually removed the account; TransUnion allegedly did not.
“This wrongful conduct has drastically impacted plaintiff’s credit score and credit worthiness and has caused him past and future monetary loss, past and future emotional distress, and other damages that will be presented,” the lawsuit states.
Verizon Wireless does not comment on pending litigation.
TransUnion, a global credit bureau based in Chicago, claims it is innocent of wrongdoing.
“TransUnion at all times acted in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act,” the company said in a court filing. “TransUnion has not published any false, inaccurate or defamatory information to a third-party regarding plaintiff and has not acted with negligence, malice, actual malice, or willful intent to injure.”
In April, RCR Wireless News reported that Verizon Wireless and Alltel Communications L.L.C.. faced class-action FCRA lawsuits in Pennsylvania and Georgia federal courts, respectively. However, those suits involve credit privacy.