Hamstrung by bill, credit agency gets creative
April 4, 2008 at 6:43 pm by Thomas Wheatley in NewsNo sooner after the Senate approved HB 130 — a bill that would give consumers greater control over their credit reports that’s summarized here by Scott Henry — did Equifax start soliciting their customers with a credit-protection program opponents call “redundant.”
Here’s what the AARP, who pushed for cheaper credit-report freezes for seniors, had to say about Equifax’s offer:
The solicitation, in part, offers “the ability to lock and unlock your … credit file online quickly and easily; the flexibility to temporarily unlock your … credit file for all or specific companies; comprehensive monitoring and alerts within 24 hours of key changes to your Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion credit files†for $14.95 per month.
…
“AARP reminds Georgia citizens that many of the bundled services that the credit reporting agencies may offer are unnecessary with the successful passage of Georgia’s credit freeze legislation. Research and examine any sales tactics closely before spending money needlessly on a monthly basis,†said AARP State Advocacy Director Kathy Floyd.
After the jump, view the e-mail that Equifax customers received.
From: Equifax <mailto:Info@Equifax-mail.com>
Date: 4/4/2008 3:43:07 PM
To: XXXXXXXX
Subject: Now Lock and Monitor Your Equifax Credit FileHaving trouble viewing this e-mail? View it as a Web page.
Please add Info@Equifax-mail.com to your address book or safe list now.
EquifaxLock Out Identity Theft
Monitor, Lock and Unlock your Equifax credit file quickly and easily!Dear XXXXX,
Identity theft is a real threat. And you need a real solution. Maximize your protection with Equifax’s newest security feature — Equifax Credit Report Controlâ„¢.
Combined with Equifax Credit Watchâ„¢ Gold with 3-in-1 monitoring, Equifax Credit Report Controlâ„¢ allows you to go beyond monitoring your Equifax credit file and take steps to prevent identity thieves from getting credit in your name.
With Equifax Credit Report Control, you can lock and unlock access to your Equifax credit file. That means that you control who can see your Equifax credit file — and when*.
Take steps to protect yourself against the damage caused by identity theft and get the peace of mind you deserve. Sign up for Equifax Credit Watch Gold with 3-in-1 Monitoring plus Credit Report Control today!
Plus, stay up to date on your credit history and know your FICO® credit score with these Equifax products.
Equifax Credit Watch Gold with 3-in-1 Monitoring plus Credit Report Control
* The ability to lock and unlock your Equifax credit file online quickly and easily
* The flexibility to temporarily unlock your Equifax credit file for all or specific companies*Included with Equifax Credit Watchâ„¢ Gold with 3-in-1 monitoring, you’ll also receive:
* A FREE 3-in-1 Credit Report and unlimited Equifax Credit Reportsâ„¢â€
* Comprehensive monitoring and alerts within 24 hours of key changes to your Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion credit files
* Up to $20,000 in Identity Theft Insurance with no deductible and no additional charge**
* A FREE and informative Identity Theft Protection KitOnly $14.95 per month
* Two FREE Score Power® reports†, plus discounts on additional Score Power reports
* Continuous score monitoring and notification when a change in your FICO® score impacts the interest rate you are likely to receive
* Detailed explanations of key score changes and specific tips for understanding your score
* Daily monitoring of your Equifax credit file with alerts of key changes (email/wireless alerts)
* Immediate online access to your user-friendly 3-in-1 Credit Report†with a line-by-line comparison of your credit history with Equifax, TransUnion and Experian
* Your Score Power® Report including your FICO® Credit Score and helpful explanations
* See what your most current score means and compare it to national averages
* Summary of positive and negative factors affecting your score
* Equifax Credit Report Control is only available while you have a current subscription to an Equifax Credit Watch product. Locking your credit file with Equifax Credit Report Control will prevent access to your Equifax credit file by certain third parties, such as credit grantors or other companies and agencies. Credit Report Control will not prevent access to your credit file at any other credit reporting agency, and will not prevent access to your Equifax credit file by companies like Equifax Personal Solutions which provide you with access to your credit report or credit score or monitor your credit file; Federal, state and local government agencies; companies reviewing your application for employment; companies that have a current account or relationship with you, and collection agencies acting on behalf of those whom you owe; for fraud detection and prevention purposes; and companies that wish to make pre-approved offers of credit or insurance to you. To opt out of such pre-approved offers, visi www.optoutprescreen.com** Certain limitations and exclusions apply. Identity Fraud Expense Reimbursement Master Policy underwritten by Travelers Casualty and Surety Company of America and its property casualty affiliates, Hartford, CT 06183. Coverage for all claims or losses depends on actual policy provisions. Availability of coverage can depend on our underwriting qualifications and state regulations. Coverage not available for residents of New York.
†Reports accessed through Equifax Credit Watch™, Score Watch™ or multi-report products are available to view online for 12 months from the date the report is ordered, provided that the product subscription is maintained during that time. Reports do not update. For updated information, a new report must be ordered. Single report products are available to view online for 30 days from the date the report is ordered and do not update.
FICO® is a registered trademark of Fair Isaac Corporation.
Equifax and Score Power® are registered trademarks of Equifax Inc.
If you have any questions, please call us at 1-800-829-3616, 8:00AM – 3:00AM (EST), 7 days a week.
You may e-mail us anytime at customer.care@equifax.com. Or you can write us: Equifax Personal Information Solutions, PO Box 105496, Atlanta, GA 30348.Copyright Equifax 2008 | Privacy Policy
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