Don't buy a laptop from Aarons

[Muck]

(...actually don't ever buy anything from any rent to own company...but I digress...)

Aarons accused of Keylogging, Webcam Capture

A lawsuit filed today against rent-to-own chain Aaron's claims its computers are storing keystrokes, taking videos and capturing desktop screens.

With more than 1,500 stores in the United States and Canada, popular rent-to-own retailer Aaron's Inc may be getting ready to go down in flames thanks to a class action lawsuit filed in federal court in Pittsburgh. The lawsuit claims that the chain secretly monitors computer customers' electronic communications by tracking keystrokes, taking snapshots of the screen, and even capturing video of users while sitting in front of the webcam.

This is a direct violation of federal privacy and technology laws.

According to the lawsuit, Brian and Crystal Byrd, of Casper, Wyoming discovered that Arron's has secretly collected their data after the store manager paid a visit to their home on December 22, 2010 to repossess a laptop. The device was actually paid for, but incorrectly entered into the system and shown as unpaid. But to prove that the default clients were still using the device, the Aaron's manager showed the family an unauthorized web-camera image of Brian Byrd using the computer at home. He also added he was not supposed to disclose that Aaron's had the photograph.

"It feels like we were pretty much invaded, like somebody else was in our house," Byrd told The Associated Press in an exclusive telephone interview, the day before the suit was filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Erie. "It's a weird feeling, I can't really describe it. I had to sit down for a minute after he showed me that picture."

Brian Byrd called the police, and eventually it was discovered that the last payment was stolen by an Aaron's employee and entered it into the computer incorrectly. But a subsequent investigation by local law enforcement also discovered that the rent-to-own retailer was in fact collecting unauthorized information... more so than they originally thought during their confrontation with the manager.

"It has been the practice and policy of the Aaron's Defendants to conceal from their customers their ability to remotely access, intercept and monitor customers' private, personal electronic communications, information, screen shots, keystrokes or images captured on webcams and to further disclose to consumers exactly the kinds of private information and images that can be and were routinely collected, transmitted and stored," the lawsuit reads.

.../cont/...

 

[powerlifter]

I'm guessing they'd have an issue with someone attaching a keylogger to an email and sending it to them. Then disclosing all company records to the public,and what they do daily on their computer.

 

[Jake]

(...actually don't ever buy anything from any rent to own company...but I digress...)

This.

If this is the only way you can "afford it" you can't afford it.

 

[Tonyank]

This.

If this is the only way you can "afford it" you can't afford it.

yup.

i could see if you hit a rough patch and would be working you your way back, and it was LAST option for like a bed a couch or maybe a fridge. But LAST option only. if you buy a tv, computer or something not NEEDED, you need hit in the head with a tack hammer, cause you are a retard