Short v. Allstate Credit Bureau

370 F. Supp. 2d 1173, 2005 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 9808, 2005 WL 1216106
CourtDistrict Court, M.D. Alabama
DecidedMay 23, 2005
Docket2:03-cv-680-F WO
StatusPublished
Cited by3 cases

This text of 370 F. Supp. 2d 1173 (Short v. Allstate Credit Bureau) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, M.D. Alabama primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Short v. Allstate Credit Bureau, 370 F. Supp. 2d 1173, 2005 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 9808, 2005 WL 1216106 (M.D. Ala. 2005).

Opinion

MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER

FULLER, Chief Judge.

Plaintiffs Kent Allen Short and Melissa C. Short (hereinafter “Plaintiffs”) bring this civil action challenging the alleged improper procurement and use of a consumer credit report. On June 27, 2003, Plaintiffs filed the Complaint in this action against the following defendants: Allstate Credit Bureau, Farm Services Agency, Phelan B. Savage, Jr., United States Department of Agriculture, and Ann M. Yeneman as the Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture. (Doc. # 1). By their Complaint, Plaintiffs allege violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1681, et seq., numerous constitutional claims, and a state law invasion of privacy claim.

This action is presently before the court on the motion to dismiss filed by Defendant Allstate Credit Bureau on August 19, 2003. (Doc. # 9). Plaintiffs filed their response to the motion on September 11, 2003 and, on October 8, 2003, Defendant Allstate Credit Bureau filed its reply. (Docs. # 13 & 19). For the reasons that follow, the court concludes that the motion to dismiss is due to be GRANTED.

I. FACTUAL BACKGROUND 1 AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

This lawsuit stems from the inclusion of a non-applicant spouse’s credit history on a consumer credit report for the applicant spouse. Plaintiffs Kent Allen Short and Melissa C. Short (hereinafter “Mr. Short” *1177 and “Mrs. Short” or collectively “Plaintiffs”) are husband and wife. 2 (Comply 2). Mr. Short is an agricultural farmer who operates a farm in Chilton County, Alabama. Defendant Allstate Credit Bureau (hereinafter “Allstate”) is a “consumer reporting agency” within the meaning of 15 U.S.C. § 1681a(f). 3 Allstate prepares, sells and distributes “consumer reports” as defined in 15 U.S.C. § 1681a(d). 4

In June of 2001, Mr. Short applied for a farm loan with the Farm Services Agency (hereinafter “FSA”). 5 Mr. Short submitted his loan application to Phelan B. Savage, Jr. (hereinafter “Savage”), a FSA Farm Loan Manager assigned to the El-more/Montgomery County Office. In order to process the application, Savage contacted Mrs. Short and requested her social security number so that he could obtain her credit history. In response to Savage’s request, Mrs. Short instructed him not to obtain her credit history. 6

On July 9, 2001, despite the clear instructions of Mrs. Short, Savage obtained a consumer credit report from Allstate listing the credit history of Mrs. Short. Shortly thereafter, on July 16, 2001, Mrs. Short reiterated to Savage, by a written letter, her request not to have her credit history considered in relation to Mr. Short’s loan application. Nonetheless, without regard to Mrs. Short’s repeated requests and lacking her authorization, Savage considered Mrs. Short’s credit history in determining Mr. Short’s loan application. Consequently, Mr. Short’s loan application was denied because of adverse information in Mrs. Short’s credit history.

Dissatisfied with Savage’s decision on Mr. Short’s loan application, Plaintiffs filed this action on June 27, 2003. (Doc. # 1, Compl.). Plaintiffs allege claims under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1681, et seq.; the Declaratory Judgment Act, 28 U.S.C. § 2201; the All Writs Act, 28 U.S.C. § 1651; the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1691, et seq.; the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution; and a state law claim of invasion of privacy. Plaintiffs seek compensatory and punitive damages, court costs, attorney’s fees and declaratory relief. (Id-).

On August 19, 2003, Defendant Allstate 7 filed a Motion to Dismiss pursuant to Fed *1178 eral Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(6) arguing that all of the claims alleged by Plaintiffs are due to be dismissed. (Doc. # 7). As previously mentioned, this motion is fully briefed whereas Plaintiffs filed their response (Doc. # 13) and Allstate filed its reply (Doc. # 19).

II.JURISDICTION AND VENUE

The court exercises subject matter jurisdiction over this action pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1331 (federal question jurisdiction) and 15 U.S.C. § 1681, et seq. (Fair Credit Reporting Act). The parties do not contest personal jurisdiction or venue, and the court finds adequate allegations supporting both.

III.STANDARD OF REVIEW

A court may dismiss a complaint for failure to state a claim only if it is clear that no relief could be granted under any set of facts that could be proven consistent with the allegations in the complaint. See Hishon v. King & Spalding, 467 U.S. 69, 73, 104 S.Ct. 2229, 81 L.Ed.2d 59 (1984); see also Wright v. Newsome, 795 F.2d 964, 967 (11th Cir.1986) (“[W]e may not ... [dismiss] unless it appears beyond doubt that the plaintiff can prove no set of facts in support of the claims in the complaint that would entitle him or her to relief.”) (citation omitted). The court will accept as true all well-pleaded factual allegations and will view them in a light most favorable to the nonmoving party. Hishon, 467 U.S. at 73, 104 S.Ct. 2229. Furthermore, the threshold is “exceedingly low” for a complaint to survive a motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim. See Ancata v. Prison Health Servs., Inc., 769 F.2d 700, 703 (11th Cir.1985).

IV.DISCUSSION

A. Fair Credit Reporting Act Claims

In the Complaint, Plaintiffs allege violations of the Fair Credit Report Act generally against all the defendants. Specifically, Plaintiffs allege claims of “willful noncompliance with 15 U.S.C. § 1681b(2) and § 1681b(3)” and “willful noncompliance with 15 U.S.C.

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Bluebook (online)
370 F. Supp. 2d 1173, 2005 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 9808, 2005 WL 1216106, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/short-v-allstate-credit-bureau-almd-2005.