Court Reduces Award for ID Theft Damages

A federal appeals court has reduced the damages awarded to a Virginia woman in an identity-theft suit against Equifax Information Services.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit reduced the mental anguish award to Suzanne Sloane, of Nokesville. The court also set aside the award of attorney fees so Equifax could challenge the amount.

Last year, a federal jury awarded Sloane $106,000 for economic losses, $245,000 for mental anguish and $181,083 in legal fees. While police quickly arrested the identity thief, it took Equifax more than two years to correct Sloane’s credit report.