FTC new law allows access to you unless

[Pretender]

you opt-out. The following is info that you may want to pass along to others:

The Link :
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/edcams/fcra/

IMPORTANT LAW CHANGE: CREDIT REPORTING
FYI
CALL: 1-888-567-8688 to Opt Out.

Just wanted to let everyone know who hasn't already heard, the four major credit bureaus in the US will be allowed, starting July 1, to release your credit info, mailing addresses, phone numbers, etc., to "anyone" who requests it. (Anyone is considered only "legitimate" business concerns -whatever that means)If you would like to 'opt out' of this release of your info, you can call 1-888-567-8688. It only takes a couple of minutes to do.

Choose option #2 to start the process.

[root]

I don't understand. That page references the new law as of 1997. Where did you get the information about a change going into effect July1st?

[LowWaterMark]

No, that is actually a hoax. It has been coming back each year in the same manner as various virus hoaxes. Here are a couple links with more information:

http://www.privacyrights.org/ar/optout_truth.htm

http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/pending/credit.htm

There is a real number to call, but it has a very narrow purpose and not calling it won't hurt anyone.

[root]

:-[

[Pretender]

Just came back to clarify the information. I apologize as it all looked totally legit to me and, for the most part, is. I got the information from a member on another board that I visit and just found out about the partial truths on that same board. I really did ck the phone number and the site link out prior to my posting here. Guess I'm fallible just like all of us humans..........please forgive :-[

[Detox]

I forgive; if that counts for anything ;D

[root]

No need to apologise.
You were trying to do the right thing.
Some of the hoaxs are quite believable and that's why they spread so easily.

[Pieter_Arntz]

This email is almost right. 1-888-567-8688, or 1-800-5optout, is a shared number used by the big four credit reporting agencies. If you call it, press #2, then select the second option from the next menu, you can opt out of all future mailings for pre-approved offers of credit from the big four credit reporting agencies. It has been available to consumers since 1997 as a provision of the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

The email above mixes this up with the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act which requires banks and financial companies to give consumers reasonable time to opt out of having their personal information sold to third parties. Banks and other financial companies legally are able to sell your information to anyone with the money to buy it. It is your responsibility to opt out of that specifically at each company with which you do business. There is no deadline for doing this, despite the date mentioned in the email.

Source: http://www.spywareinfoforum.com/newsletter/archives/may-2003/13.php

PS The thank you note at the bottom is actually supposed to say LowWaterMark instead of me, because all I did was quote his links in this thread. :-[

[Pretender]

I am so ashamed!!!!!! :-[




Okay! I've bounced back! :)

I'm just so glad that the link and the number were correct and okay so no one got hurt. I did choose to opt out though as I missed this law being passed in 1997. Life goes on. :-\

[Detox]

all's well that ends well!

I might hafta dial that number up sometime myself