Kohl's Class Action Lawsuit: Retailer Accused of Making Unauthorized Robocalls

Case Overview: A class action lawsuit claims Kohl's violated the TCPA by making unauthorized robocalls to consumers for debt collection purposes. 

Consumers Affected: Consumers who received unauthorized robocalls from Kohl's.

Court: U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin

A North Dakota man has filed a lawsuit against Kohl’s, claiming the retailer repeatedly made unauthorized robocalls to collect overdue credit card payments. The lawsuit, filed in a Wisconsin federal court, accuses Kohl’s of violating the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), which restricts the use of automated calls without prior consent.

Kohl's Accused of Making Unauthorized Robocalls to Collect Debt

Plaintiff Joshua Johnston alleges that after his Kohl’s store credit card account became delinquent in July 2024, the company began contacting him with pre-recorded voicemail messages. Johnston claims he received at least 30 automated calls, despite explicitly requesting that Kohl’s cease contacting him.

The lawsuit describes the messages as impersonal and monotone, with one voicemail stating, “Please call Kohl’s Department Store at 1-855-219-9472.” According to Johnston, these calls disrupted his daily activities, caused frustration, and depleted his phone’s battery due to the volume of repeated messages.

Johnston claims the calls persisted even after he informed the retailer to stop. He alleges that Kohl’s ignored his request and continued the automated outreach, prompting him to pursue legal action.

Lawsuit Alleges Kohl's Violated the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA)

The Telephone Consumer Protection Act prohibits businesses from making automated calls or sending pre-recorded messages to individuals without prior express consent. The lawsuit alleges that Kohl’s violated the TCPA by continuing to contact Johnston after he had revoked any prior consent for such calls.

“The primary purpose of the TCPA was to protect individuals from the harassment, invasion of privacy, inconvenience, nuisance, and other harms associated with unsolicited, automated calls,” the lawsuit states.

Kohl's Faces Other Lawsuits Over Privacy and Pricing Practices

This lawsuit is the latest in a series of legal claims against the retailer. Earlier in 2024, Kohl’s faced allegations of violating California privacy laws by using third-party software to record customer chats without proper consent. That case involved claims that the retailer unlawfully intercepted communications on its website, infringing on user privacy rights.

In 2023, Kohl’s was also accused of misleading customers with deceptive pricing practices. Plaintiffs in that case argued that the retailer advertised discounts that were not as steep as claimed, misleading customers about the actual value of the items.

In the Kohl’s unwanted robocalls class action lawsuit, Johnston is seeking certification of a class to represent other consumers who received unauthorized robocalls from Kohl’s or its agents within the past four years. The lawsuit seeks damages, legal fees, and costs associated with the alleged violations.

Case Details

• Lawsuit: Joshua Johnston v. Kohl’s Inc.
• Case Number: 2:24-cv-01666
• Court: U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin

Plaintiffs' Attorneys

• Mohammed O. Badwan (Sulaiman Law Group Ltd)

Have you received robocalls from Kohl's? Share your experience in the comments below.