STATEMENT: FTC accuses Experian of spamming customers

One of ‘big three’ credit agencies will have to pay $650,000 settlement

WASHINGTON — The Federal Trade Commission will require Experian Consumer Services, one of the three leading companies that offer people access to their credit information, to pay $650,000 to settle charges it sent consumers unsolicited email without offering them a way to opt out of such messages, as required under the CAN-SPAM Act.

The FTC said Experian “spammed consumers with marketing offers” directed to the email address they used to sign up to manage their Experian credit files.

In response, Ed Mierzwinski, U.S. PIRG ‘s senior director for federal consumer program, released the following statement: 

“We are very pleased that Experian is being held liable for violating the CAN-SPAM Act. 

“You have to jump through hoops like a trained seal to stop getting junk mail from Experian. Consumers did not sign up for that and we are pleased the FTC and Department of Justice said ‘not under our watch.’

“Junk marketing is dehumanizing. Consumers aren’t seals and companies such as Experian  shouldn’t force  them to do tricks.”