Massachusetts woman suing Michaels crafts chain over `junk mail’

By Jenn Abelson, Globe Staff

A Massachusetts woman is suing Michaels Stores Inc. for allegedly violating the state’s consumer privacy laws by collecting zip codes for credit card purchases and then using the information to send junk mail to customers without their permission.

The lawsuit was filed this week in US District Court in Boston by Susan D’Esposito, who is seeking class action status in the action against the national craft goods chain. It came just after the state Supreme Judicial Court ruled retailers could not require shoppers to provide their zip codes on credit card purchases.

Officials at Michaels, which operates 27 stores in Massachusetts, could not immediately be reached for comment.

D’Esposito claims she is forced to provide her zip code to complete credit card transactions and that she “received unwanted marketing materials from Michaels. In addition, she claims, her personal identification may have been sold by Michaels for a profit.” The suit values the “matter in controversy” at more than $5 million.