Three Vermont consumers will collect $2,000 in fines to make up for violations of their privacy by a computer leasing company. The state additionally will collect $45,000 in civil penalties and legal costs from SEI/Aaron’s.
The store, with shops in Barre, Brattleboro, Burlington, Rutland and St. Albans, is a franchise of Aaron’s Inc., according to a news release from the Vermont Attorney General’s Office. The national leasing company leases laptop computers in addition to other electronics, appliances and furniture.
SEI/Aaron’s installed software, called Detective Mode, onto some of its leased laptop computers to log keystrokes and generate screen captures of websites visited. The software was intended to help track down lost or stolen machines.
“However, the Attorney General alleges that SEI/Aaron’s also used Detective Mode to help collect overdue payments on laptop computers, which invaded consumers’ privacy in violation of the Vermont Consumer Protection Act,” according to the release.
In three instances, SEI/Aarons could not prove that Detective Mode was activated due to a reported loss or theft.
SEI/Aaron’s also agreed not to use any software that tracks activity on a leased computer, in response to delinquent payments or in connection with debt collection.
