Settled case summary #15 — A retail store and A financial institution

An individual complained that a retail store inappropriately collected her personal information and disclosed it to a financial institution, and that the financial institution used and disclosed her information without consent. The retail store's salesperson processed the credit application before obtaining the customer's signature, leading to an approved credit card despite the customer's decision not to proceed. The financial institution stated it did not share information with third parties and took corrective actions, including removing an inquiry from the customer's credit file. The retail store also implemented new procedures.

• Inappropriate collection of personal information by a retail store
• Unauthorized disclosure of personal information to a financial institution
• Use and disclosure of personal information by a financial institution without consent
• Failure to obtain customer signature before processing credit application