Class Action: Florida Fine Cars Performs ‘Hard’ Credit Inquiries Without Authorization

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Florida Fine Cars, Inc. (FFC) has been hit with a proposed class action wherein two plaintiffs claim the used car business performed on them a “hard” credit inquiry despite having no authorization nor permissible purpose in doing so.

According to the lawsuit, FFC represents on the “Financing” page of its website that it will perform a “soft” inquiry into a potential customer’s credit file for the purpose of determining his or her prequalification for vehicle financing programs. The website allegedly assures visitors that when they fill out the defendant’s pre-approval form, “there is no effect on your credit score.”

Despite these representations, the plaintiffs allege that FFC performed instead a “hard” credit inquiry into their files, which reduced their credit scores and would remain on their consumer reports for two years.

The lawsuit argues that FFC violated federal and state law by obtaining the plaintiffs’ consumer reports without a permissible purpose and authorization. As a result, the suit says, the plaintiffs and proposed class members have suffered “concrete injuries.” From the complaint: