ConsumerDirect Sues MyFreeScoreNow for Alleged Trade Secret Theft

Complaint claims 10-year partner used relationship to steal millions in business

Mar. 25, 2026 at 2:37am

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ConsumerDirect Inc., a consumer finance and credit management platform, has filed a lawsuit against MyFreeScoreNow Inc. and its founder Bruce Cornelius, alleging that they conspired with a former ConsumerDirect consultant to steal the company's valuable trade secrets and business partners. ConsumerDirect is seeking over $20 million in damages, plus punitive damages and injunctive relief.

Why it matters

This case highlights the importance of protecting intellectual property and trade secrets, especially for technology companies that have invested heavily in developing proprietary technologies and customer relationships. The lawsuit also raises questions about the risks of long-term business partnerships and the need for robust safeguards to prevent the misuse of sensitive information.

The details

According to the complaint, MyFreeScoreNow and Cornelius allegedly used their 10-year relationship with ConsumerDirect to gain access to the company's highly sensitive business information, including its trade secrets and customer relationships. The lawsuit claims they then conspired with former ConsumerDirect consultant Justin Wilson to wrongfully divert the company's business partners using this stolen information.

  • ConsumerDirect filed the lawsuit on March 24, 2026 in the Orange County Superior Court in Santa Ana, California.

The players

ConsumerDirect Inc.

A subscription-based consumer fintech platform operating in the credit, financial intelligence, and privacy protection sectors. The company has 23 granted and issued patents covering its unique technologies and designs.

MyFreeScoreNow Inc.

A company that allegedly used its 10-year relationship with ConsumerDirect to steal the company's trade secrets and business partners.

Bruce Cornelius

The founder of MyFreeScoreNow Inc., who is named as a defendant in the lawsuit.

Justin Wilson

A former consultant at ConsumerDirect, who is accused of conspiring with MyFreeScoreNow and Cornelius to wrongfully divert the company's business partners.

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What they’re saying

“Intellectual property and trade secrets are the foundation of our business and essential to how we serve customers. Our company exists to help consumers, not file lawsuits, but we will protect the intellectual property that we have spent tens of millions of dollars and years developing.”

— David B. Coulter, CEO, ConsumerDirect Inc.

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on a future date whether to grant ConsumerDirect's request for injunctive relief to prevent further alleged misuse of its trade secrets and business relationships.

The takeaway

This lawsuit highlights the critical importance of protecting intellectual property and trade secrets, especially for technology companies that have invested heavily in developing proprietary technologies and customer relationships. It also underscores the risks of long-term business partnerships and the need for robust safeguards to prevent the misuse of sensitive information.