Retail Workers' Careers Sabotaged by Database, Suit Charges

In a federal class action, low-wage retail workers claim LexisNexis Risk & Information Analytics Group sabotaged their careers by characterizing them as "thieves" in the national employment database Esteem, used by major employers nationwide.

In the suit, Keesha Goode and Victoria Goodman charge that they and thousands of other low-wage retail workers have been classified as thieves based upon alleged “admission statements” submitted by their former employers.

Because so many retail employers subscribe to the database, an incorrect entry can make a worker virtually unemployable, the two say. They charge that the alleged inaccuracies are a violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).

The suit charges that LexisNexis violates FCRA provisions that require a consumer to be notified of any adverse reports and provided a written explanation, including the right to obtain a copy of her file and to dispute any incorrect information.

Goode says she was denied employment and Goodman says that she was denied a promotion, then fired based on alleged signed admissions of theft by them in the Esteem database.

Both women said they requested copies of their files but were denied copies of the alleged admission statements. Since they were not allowed to see the statements, they were unable to refute them and lost employment opportunities.

The suit alleges that NexisLexis does not impose any rules, criteria or procedures regarding what constitutes an “admission” and does not review admissions submitted by its subscribers to ensure their accuracy.

The suit, filed in U.S. District Court in Philadelphia, seeks damages including lost wages, punitive damages and injunctive relief. Attorney Irv Ackelsberg is representing the women.