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Florida Judgment to End Data Broker's Business

April 14, 2006

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Florida Attorney General Charlie Crist has requested a judgment against Global Information Group to stop its unlawful sales of consumer information. Once signed by a judge, the consent judgment and permanent injunction will end the company's operations.

Crist's office sued Global in February, accusing the company of illegally obtaining and selling confidential telephone calling records of unsuspecting consumers. Global's unlawful business practices included impersonating telephone company employees or customers in order to obtain consumers' personal calling information.

"Floridians shouldn't have to worry about their personal information being sold like livestock at an auction," said Crist. "This judgment is an important step in protecting citizens' private records from illegal and unauthorized access, which could pose financial and public safety risks."

The investigation revealed that Global placed thousands of calls seeking unauthorized customer information from several telephone companies serving customers throughout the United States, including some in Florida. The information was then sold to Global customers, who could then use the information for their own purposes.

The judgment prohibits Global president Laurie J. Misner, and vice president Edward S. Herzog, and any business they run from obtaining consumer phone information illegally. It also bans any contact with telephone companies and protects both wireless and landline customers. The injunction also prohibits any misuse of personal identification to gain confidential records. The judgment and injunction must be approved by a judge.

Misner and Herzog must pay $250,000 towards reimbursing the taxpayers for the costs of the investigation and litigation. Each faces a potential $2.5 million penalty if any terms of the settlement are not met.

In addition to the civil charges filed against the company, a federal search warrant was served at the company's offices by Temple Terrace police and U.S. Postal Service inspectors, based on a tip that the company was illegally accessing private information.

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