Woman claims Comcast violated privacy

Woman claims Comcast violated privacy

By Jason Cato
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Friday, June 6, 2008
'Woman claims Comcast violated privacy', 'A copy of a South Fayette woman\'s check, written with complaints over the increasing cost of her Comcast bill, wound up in cyberspace. Now, she is suing. ', 'http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/search/s_571313.html', 1)"> A South Fayette woman so fed up with her cable television provider that she offered a body part as payment is suing the company after a copy of her check, including personal and financial information, wound up in cyberspace.

('Woman claims Comcast violated privacy', 'A copy of a South Fayette woman\'s check, written with complaints over the increasing cost of her Comcast bill, wound up in cyberspace. Now, she is suing. ', 'http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/search/s_571313.html', 1)">Krista Cooney and her husband, Chad, filed a federal lawsuit this week in Pittsburgh against Comcast Corp., claiming an employee of the cable giant e-mailed a copy of the check to people outside the company.

Unhappy with how much she was being charged, Cooney made out the check for "My Right Arm and Zero Dollars" and in the memo wrote for "Robbing Customers Blind."

"Some people do have a budget ya know," Cooney wrote on the payment slip accompanying her check.

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Cooney's check contained her signature, address, telephone number and bank account number.

Comcast spokeswoman Jody Doherty said the company declined to comment.

The couple seeks an unspecified amount in damages for exposing them to identity theft.

The lawsuit claims Comcast violated the Cable Communications Policy Act of 1984, which forbids cable companies from disclosing "personally identifiable information concerning any subscriber" without permission. They are suing for invasion of privacy.

The Cooneys could not be reached for comment. Their lawyer, Matthew Collins, said the couple wants to keep a low profile.

"They're still shocked and in fear of some major identity theft attempt," said Collins, who believes his clients are still Comcast customers. "They're so geeked by this."

According to the eight-page lawsuit, Krista Cooney subscribed in June 2007 to Comcast's "Triple Play" plan for cable television, telephone and Internet service for $99 a month. She became disgruntled when her first bill was for $296.74. Unable to pay that amount, the lawsuit states she paid $267.86 with the intention of paying the remainder the next month.

After Comcast threatened to suspend service, Krista Cooney submitted two checks: one to cover the outstanding amount and a second offering her arm in protest.

The Cooneys learned of the e-mail Aug. 20, when a Colorado resident who was victimized by identity theft received a copy of the e-mail and called the couple to alert them.

Jason Cato can be reached at jcato@tribweb.com or 412-320-7840.