Pittsburgh, PA: (Aug-07-07) A class action lawsuit was brought against Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse, a North Shore restaurant, accusing it of failing to mask credit card information on customer receipts. Hyde Park was sued in April 2007, along with several other cases against companies accused of violating a federal law that makes it illegal for businesses to print more than the last five digits of a customer's credit card number or expiration date on a receipt. Congress passed the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act in 2003, but gave businesses three years to begin shortening credit card information. The grace period ended in December 2006.
As part of a settlement reached, Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse agreed to donate $5,000 in gift certificates to charities and pay $2,500 to Carol Jean Sinatra, the lead plaintiff who filed the lawsuit. Sinatra's legal counsel stands to gain as much as $50,000 in legal fees as well as $3 for each person who collects settlement relief vouchers, up to an additional $55,000. Class members benefit from the class action by receiving a free appetizer, salad or side item at the steakhouse. [TRIBUNE REVIEW: CREDIT TRANSACTIONS]
