Posted on 05/03/2011 10:44:02 AM PDT by rawhide
A major furniture rental chain has software on its computers that lets it track the keystrokes,screenshots and even webcam images of customers while they use the devices at home, according to a lawsuit filed Tuesday.
The lawsuit was filed on behalf of a Wyoming couple who said they learned about the PC Rental Agent "device and/or software" inside the computer they rented last year when an Aaron's Inc. store manager in Casper came to their home on Dec. 22.
The manager tried to repossess the computer because he mistakenly believed the couple hadn't finished paying for it, the couple said. Brian Byrd, 26, said the manager showed him a picture of Byrd using the computer — taken by the computer's webcam. The image was shot with the help of spying software...
The lawsuit says the store manager told the Byrds "that he was not supposed to disclose that Aaron's had the photograph." Byrd said he believes the store manager "was just trying to throw his weight around and get an easy repossession."
Byrd and his 24-year-old wife, Crystal, said they paid two monthly installments of $156 for the laptop computer before deciding it made financial sense to make a final $900 payment to own the computer outright.
The couple had a signed receipt but later learned an employee who took their final cash payment was suspected of stealing customer payments, which is why the store manager believed they hadn't paid for the computer and came to repossess it.
PC Rental Agent includes components soldered into the computer's motherboard or otherwise physically attached to the PC's electronics, the lawsuit said. It therefore cannot be uninstalled and can only be deactivated using a wand.
The couple's attorney said Aaron's officials have told police they install the device on all their rental computers.
(Excerpt) Read more at ajc.com ...
Just buy an I-mac if you want the picture deal. There’s a camera built right into the screen.
Just buy an I-mac if you want the picture deal. There’s a camera built right into the screen.
Does it double post too?
j/k
Anything that hurts crooks like Aaron’s is OK by me.
Not long ago a school district in PA was caught doing the same thing to PC’s issued to students. I think it ended up costing them a bunch of money. Here’s hoping Aaron’s has to give up a bundle. This is outrageous.
Federal wiretapping laws much?
I like this part...”PC Rental Agent includes components soldered into the computer’s motherboard or otherwise physically attached to the PC’s electronics, the lawsuit said. It therefore cannot be uninstalled and can only be deactivated using a wand”
Which is what Mr Byrd was waving in front of the camera...hoping to get Mrs. Byrds attention
Hmmmm I can get it toaday at a rent to own store and be paying for it for a year or I can wait three months and buy my own better version.
I know it's not illegal to take advantage of the stupid but sometimes I feel it should be. At least force these places to honestly lay out the cost of the goods.
Amazed. Today.
Some day I’m going to learn how to type.
N prblm.
I've lost respect for Troy Aikman and the Hulkster for shilling for the scam.
Next to buying and using cocaine,renting furniture has to be one of the poorest money management options available. You can get a refurbished laptop at Micro Center for under $300. Desktops even cheaper. Rent-to-owning a computer for a over a grand certainly qualifies you as trailer trash.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.