Target Marketing Lists Federal Trade Commission Administrative Law Judge James P. Timony has ordered Trans Union Corporation to stop distributing and selling target marketing lists based on consumer-credit data, except for certain authorized purposes. Trans Union gathers information on consumers and sells consumer reports containing data about the credit of millions of Americans. Buyers use this information to evaluate consumers' credit. Performance Data, a division of Trans Union, is engaged in the target marketing business.
Target marketing involves selling goods and services directly to consumers by mail or telephone.
Trans Union's target marketing uses information from its consumer reports to prepare a list of consumers who meet certain criteria. It sells this list for use in soliciting consumers. Under the FCRA, a permissible purpose for disclosure exists if a consumer authorizes the disclosure. Trans Union's opt-out program does comply with the FCRA, Judge Timony said. Trans Union does not, however, require its clients to notify consumers of their right to opt -out of target marketing lists other than on prescreen.