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CA Stores Can't Ask Customers for ZIP Codes Anymore
Photo by alancleaver_2000 via Flickr
Most of us have gotten used to store's cashiers requesting personal information, ranging from our phone number to our date of birth. But that will soon change, at least in small part: the California Supreme Court ruled today that retailers can no longer ask for ZIP codes form customers who pay with credit cards, reports the LA Times:
"The Legislature intended to provide robust consumer protections by prohibiting retailers from soliciting and recording information about the cardholder that is unnecessary to the credit card transaction," Justice Carlos R. Moreno wrote for the court.
The case came about after a woman sued Williams-Sonoma Stores, Inc. for asking for her ZIP code, which she contended could then be used for targeted marketing, as well as sold to other companies for the same purpose. The case was rejected by two lower courts prior to being heard by the state Supreme Court, reports the Times.
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