Too much data leads to lawsuits.

• Author: Swartz, Nikki
• Position: UP FRONT: News, Trends & Analysis

Retailers in New Jersey and other states are being sued for violating a 2003 federal law meant to combat identity theft.

According to the New Jersey Law Journal, the suits in New Jersey charge the companies--including Toys R Us outlets, Hess gas stations, and Avis and Budget rental car companies--with putting too much identifying information on credit card receipts. Suits filed in other states accuse IKEA, Costco, Victoria's Secret, and Rite-Aid with similar offenses, and the New Jersey Law Journal reported that more suits are on the way.

The Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACTA) prohibits listing the expiration date or more than five digits of the account number from the customer's credit card on a receipt produced...