AARP reporting on the settlement notice states March 5-July 19, 2019 users with six-plus-four digits printed need no identity theft to claim AARP's report on the settlement notice. The New Jersey Appellate Division via Justia defines ascertainable loss as quantifiable harm, such as out-of-pocket loss, not hypothetical injury Justia's archive of the Appellate Division decision. That difference decides what you must prove. Keep proof of the receipt error, not proof of fraud.
Official resources:
- Explore the official data from FTC — Use this primary source to review the underlying data.
- Read the official guidance from Govinfo — Use this primary source to verify the official guidance.
Table of Contents
- What ascertainable loss means
- What FACTA bars on receipts
- Why this settlement does not demand dollar loss
- What to show instead
What ascertainable loss means
Think of a charge you paid and can show on paper. A refund you never got counts the same way.
Worry about future harm does not count. A receipt error alone feels wrong but shows no dollar loss. A state fraud claim would still ask for dollars lost.
What FACTA bars on receipts
The Federal Trade Commission reminds in its 2007 business reminder that FACTA bars printing more than five digits or expiration date on customer receipts. The rule applies only to electronically printed receipts given to customers.
Check the customer copy you took home. Banks format statements differently. Only the store receipt matters here.
Why this settlement does not demand dollar loss
For the covered printing error described above, the violation itself supports the claim. You do not need to show fraudulent charges. You do not need to show credit monitoring costs.
That is looser than a state consumer-fraud case. A fraud case would demand measurable loss tied to misconduct. Here, membership in the affected group replaces that proof.
What to show instead
ConsumerAffairs explains in its qualification guide that claimants prove membership with transaction timing plus a noncompliant receipt, card statement, or mailed notice ID. Proof centers on timing and paper, not fraud or monetary loss.
Use this checklist before you file: A notice ID speeds matching if you got mail. Without mail, the receipt or statement plus date still shows membership. Submit the timing plus one document and keep a copy.
- Match your purchase date to the covered window above.
- Pull the receipt, statement, or notice with your ID.
- File with the timing plus that document.