South Carolina § 37-20-200 - Penalties imposed on consumer credit-reporting agencies for violation of chapter.

§ 37-20-200. Penalties imposed on consumer credit-reporting agencies for violation of chapter.

(A) In addition to all other penalties that may be imposed, a consumer credit-reporting agency or other person that wilfully violates a provision of this chapter is liable for three times the amount of actual damages or not more than one thousand dollars for each incident, whichever is greater, as well as reasonable attorney's fees and costs.

(B) In addition to all other penalties that may be imposed, a consumer credit-reporting agency or other person that negligently violates this chapter is liable for actual damages and reasonable attorney's fees and costs.

(C) In addition to the damages assessed pursuant to subsections (A) and (B), if the injury is to the consumer's creditworthiness, credit standing, credit capacity, character, general reputation, employment options, or eligibility for insurance, and results from the failure to place and enforce the security freeze provided for in Section 37-20-160 and the failure is not corrected by the consumer credit-reporting agency within ten days after the entry of a judgment for damages, the assessed damages must be increased to not more than one thousand dollars each day until the security freeze is imposed.

(D) A consumer seeking damages pursuant to this section also may institute a civil action to enjoin and restrain future acts constituting a violation of this chapter.

(E) The remedial provisions of this chapter are cumulative of and in addition to any other action at law and any action taken by the Department of Consumer Affairs pursuant to Chapter 6.

(F) This section is not intended, and must not be construed, to confer liability on a person who acts reasonably and who does not act wilfully or grossly negligent.

(G) Damages provided by this section do not apply to Section 37-20-170.

HISTORY: 2008 Act No. 190, SECTION 2, eff December 31, 2008.