Equifax Says It's Un-American For People To Know What Equifax Knows About Them
from the it's-just-darn-un-american dept
It's tough to figure out where to start on the various comments from Equifax boss Thomas Chapman, who claims that the new law requiring the big credit companies to let people see what data has been collected on them for free at least once a year "unconstitutional and un-American." His argument is that it "cuts into the profits" of his company. First of all, cutting into someone's profits isn't unconstitutional or un-American by itself. Second, they're not asking him to "give away" some random product, but to let anyone check the info that his company has collected on that person to make sure it's accurate. Considering just how much depends on these companies reporting data accurately, that seems like the least they should be required to do. In fact, they should want to encourage that as it means they would have more accurate data. Besides, part of the problem is really that many people don't realize just how much data these companies have on them, and how much of it is just wrong. Besides, given the various sneaky upsells, it certainly looks like the big credit companies are actually increasing their profits by convincing people that they actually do have to pay for these "free" reports. The article also gets amusing towards the end where Chapman puts his foot in his mouth big-time by basically saying they've had a bunch of data breaches which haven't been announced, and then trying to pretend he never admitted that, first by saying: "I don't think you've seen our name in the news," then by refusing to answer more pointed questions on the issue with: "I'm not going to go there. I'm not going to answer that question. We have been notifying and engaging in communication with customers, consumers, for a long time. We're known for that. We're known for our stand on privacy." Yup. Your stand on privacy is apparently that you don't believe in anyone's ability to check on their own private data to make sure it's accurate -- unless they first pay you.Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.
Techdirt is one of the few remaining truly independent media outlets. We do not have a giant corporation behind us, and we rely heavily on our community to support us, in an age when advertisers are increasingly uninterested in sponsoring small, independent sites — especially a site like ours that is unwilling to pull punches in its reporting and analysis.
While other websites have resorted to paywalls, registration requirements, and increasingly annoying/intrusive advertising, we have always kept Techdirt open and available to anyone. But in order to continue doing so, we need your support. We offer a variety of ways for our readers to support us, from direct donations to special subscriptions and cool merchandise — and every little bit helps. Thank you.
–The Techdirt Team
Reader Comments
Subscribe: RSS
View by: Time | Thread
equafax
Im getting sic of the corporate agenda consistently eroding our freedom for the greed of overpaid executives. their life made easier wile mine is made harder?
when is this country going to stop pandering and being manipulated and brainwashed by the corporate social conditioning. The true trickle down theory is actually trickle up.
thanks
Chaz
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: equafax
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: equafax
Only when the people take back our government from big money, which includes candidates who have run in almost every government office in the last 20 years. Practically EVERY state and federal elected official is in office simply because they had a bigger bankroll. THIS IS THE PROBLEM PEOPLE!!!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: equafax
People also better realize that the corporations, banks, credit unions,credit reporting agencies and government are sleeping in the same bed.
Government has never been "for the people". IT was always "for the money"
.........and we are paying for it!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: equafax
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: equafax
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: equafax
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: equafax
respondent; the one who can't even spell Equifax. But I really don't want to start a flame war; so I did not want to mention a name.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: equafax
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: equafax
You say:
"Some posters need to actually GET a job before criticizing the free market economy."
My God, did you really say that (and think that?)? Boy, oh boy, you have a thing or two to learn. Is that what your saving grace is - a JOB? I bet you actually believe you're better than someone else that might be unemployed. It's all a matter of luck man & someone else opened a door for you. BTW - I'm employed and have a wide-range of experience to talk about. A person doesn't need a JOB to talk about Free Market Economies - moron.
You're adamant plea for correct spelling is admirable...your reasoning "will not be taken seriously as a political force" - is asinine. You can spell as correctly as you want...it won't make you a political force. Also, that education you speak about that "society" gives us - IT'S NOT FOR FREE...we all pay for it through taxes and tuition.
Man, where did you come up with this stuff?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: equafax
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: equafax
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: equafax
funny that
Equifax have posted incorrect data about me for the last two years.
Lloyds TSB a UK Bank have submitted incorrect data about me for the last two years.
Neither of these cunts could give one fuck about the damage to my personal situation.
I'll never trust any cunt with my data.
All my problems have come frome Lloyds TSB - just for the record I've never had any business with those cunts in my life, ever ....
Fuck them and the credit reference agencies, they've flushed the UK down the bog and it's coming out of the drain in fucking Bombay, so fuck them ...
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Corp America
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Corp America
I know this is an OLD post but I really want to keep the issue and communications alive so that we can stand together and prevent more of us form being harmed from the big 3 BULLIES!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
No Subject Given
The declaration of independence doesnt read "life, liberty, and unlimited free credit reports".
Idiot populist politicians... this is just going to make credit services more expensive for everyone.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: No Subject Given
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
equifax
They have no accountability. They are required to provide a 1-800 number you can call to talk to someone, but it's just a touch-tone maze -- you can't reach a real person. They are required to mail you your credit report for free if you request it by mail, however it took three tries for me to get them to actually do this.
Result: I am unable to get credit anywhere, through no fault of my own, and there is nothing I can do about this other than send them mail which they don't reply to.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: equifax
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: equifax
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: equifax
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: equifax
UGH. Don't you understand that a lot of us don't WANT credit? It's a sick game that we're FORCED into.
Try renting an apartment. If you have bad credit, you'll get denied. I make $120,000 a year but have no credit cards, no car payment, and don't own a home. I buy everything in cash. Thanks to medical bills (unemployed, had no medical insurance, got hit by some Mexican with no insurance or license that ran and left me bleeding in the street) and a piece of crap company that fast-tracked a lawsuit against me a couple years ago when I was unemployed (and they knew it) I have poor credit.
So my income is meaningless and so is the fact that I haven't had anything added to the report in years. All that seems to matter is that stupid credit report.
So, fact is, not everyone wants credit but sadly, we're almost forced into it. Nice system, eh?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
burnout 4 rules
any other car games suck!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: equifax
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: equifax
Jump up and down, drink some beer and celebrate this wonderful accomplishment! I'm serious, quit borrowing money, it's pretty stupid. Check out Dave Ramsey if you don't believe me.
-james
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: equifax
thanks for letting me share my thoughts with you.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: equifax
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: equifax
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: equifax
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: equifax
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: equifax
and make blood flow red in the corporate offices of these infidels.....no seriously, the only thing screwing everything up is people with good credit.
if everyone stopped paying their bills what good would a credit rating be? unite people!!!
it's like the bell curve....if everyone flunks there still has to be some A's and B's right on!!!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: equifax
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: equifax
In the late 1990's, a federal credit union (yeah, that's right a Government agency) sold alleged deliquent accounts to a collection agency (Action Management, Inc.) for hundreds of thousands of dollars. Once it was discovered the accounts were not deliquent (in fact, the amounts that were alleged to be owed never EXISTED) the FEDERAL credit union altered the accounts to make it appear deliquent. The NCUA supported this. Hundreds of people from this Phila credit union were scammed. And what did Equifax do? They altered people's credit reports to appear deliquent........even though the FEDERAL credit union lied about Equifax when the "accounts" were questioned!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: No Subject Given
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: No Subject Given
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: No Subject Given
People buy goods and services from companies. If you finance one of these goods such as a vehicle. And you have never missed or been late on any of the 36+ payments. Is it fair for you to have the automotive company give you any type of remarks that are not positive? Well you normally would not know. You would just have bad credit and get rejected everywhere. Even for a cell phone.
Now take into account all of the recent activties where people are stealing IDentity (ID Theft). Of course once stolen. They use your name and credit rating to purchase something and never pay for it. Now you have a bad mark. Guess what? You'll never know and be able to fight it until you put up $100 for your credit report. AND That's just the beginning of a long process. Lawyer Fees, etc...
If the credit report is supposed to be an accurate national database that every company uses to decide whether or not you are worthy. Should it not be open at least to the individual whose information it contains?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
No Subject Given
Nether does any founding document expressly states that all business models must be protected. What does it matter?
The constitution /does/ suggest that I have a right to privacy. Does that mean that I can forbid X from collecting information about me?
Forcing X to show me what information they /have/ collected about me seems like a decent compromise.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: No Subject Given
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: "Free" Credit Reports?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: "Free" credit Reports
I, too, followed the links for a "FREE!" credit report, so yes, I know how the bureaus try to get $30.00 for something that Congress has determined we should get at no additional cost. This is annoying behavior, but not criminal. As educated members of society, we can navigate around the creeps, support the ethical, and pressure our elected officials to prosecute the criminals.
Liberal or libertarian or progressive or conservative, we need to work together,
as the politicians WANT us divided, so they don't actually have to do anything!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re:
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: No Subject Given
who's to say the pursuit of happiness cannot be getting rich off the poor, or having free credit reports, or smoking marijuana for that matter? it seems like the ability for an individual to get their own (vital) private information just got liberated.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
RE: Sfk
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: No Subject Given
declaration of independence was drafted.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Who the Hell are you?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: No Subject Given
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: No Subject Given
You can not allow an entity to collect data about that quite possibly wrong, inaccurate and disparaging.
With that said - when you have reason to question these companys - WHY should you have to pay for it? Ever seen what 'their' data does to a person - with that person not knowing why they are having such difficulty to have a life?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
NINE ELEVEN!!!
Oh, wait - NINE ELEVEN 9/11 9-11!! Terrorism! Osama Bin Laden!!!
ALL YOUR DATA ARE BELONG TO US!!
Hitler.
/Godwin.
/Knee-jerk reactions.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
You know what is un-american
DRG
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: You know what is un-american
Oh, and calls or webaccess solicit a 'please respond' survey invitation, without any sort of compensation...
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
To anyone who disagrees with our free credit repor
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
The real reason credit companies are against this
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Irony
Does anyone else see the humor that ads by google lists 2 "free" credit report sites at the bottom of this rant.
I can't belive that they've squeezed 2.7 billion out of consumers in this way. Attrocious.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Big flaiming asshole
I'll drop my shorts and take a big steamy duce on his upper lip.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
No Subject Given
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Yes its free but also a hassle
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Yes its free but also a hassle
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Yes its free but also a hassle
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Yes its free but also a hassle
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Yes its free but also a hassle
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Considering all three bureaus
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
purpose of credit bureau
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
CANNOT CONTACT EXPERIAN ABOUT MY CREDIT REPORT
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: CANNOT CONTACT EXPERIAN ABOUT MY CREDIT REPORT
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Equifax abused my life..
Equifax put "reinvestigation on process " on this account for a few months and never respond anything nor remove this account.
One year later in 2006 I have checked my credit report from Equifax again and found out Equifax removed the word "investigation on process" out and remain everything the same especially the outstanding balance almost 10,000 still showing as past due.
I finally contacted Direct of Investigation Department at USA Fund and got a letter from USA Fund to confirm my account was closed with zero balance and was transfered to the new company.
I sent this letter to Equifax again and Equifax still remain this account showing i owe moeny almost 10,000. They didn't remove or update anything don't even ive me an explaination why they remain the same
Now it is June 2007. Equifax credit report still have the same information never changed showing I have past due almost 10,000 USD with USA Fund and I don't understand why Equifax never respond any investigation result to me.
This incorrect account and incorrect outstanding balance showing last activity was in 2003 I disputed in 2005 and nnow 2007 nothing has been corrected.
I get sick of Equifax Company why people rely on this stupid credit report agency. I had a hard time to get the home loan, car loan , apartment and many other issue because of this stupid credit agency .
However, I finally just got the home loan approval by using the letter from USA Fund to proof that I didn't own any money with them because i had been refused from every lenders from this incorrect account.
Anyway, another big two cridit report agencies are reporting my information correctly. I want to say Equifax is SUCK!!!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Equifax is the worst of the 3 credit agencies
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
fucking rip off
fuck u
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Equifax needs to get their act together.
2. I wrote a letter to Equifax asking them to insert a consumer statement. This is word for word how some absolute moron translated it (caps are theirs): "ASSET ACCEPTANCE DOES NOT RECEIVED A CERTIFIED LETTER SENT SEVERAL MONTHS AGO ASKING DOCUMENTATION OF THE AMOUNT THAT I SUPPOSED OWE EQUIFAX INFORMED THAT THEY INVESTIGATED THE DISPUT BUT I NO HAVE THE ANSWER THEAMOUT WAS INCREASED WITHOUT NO JUSTIFICATION THEY CALL ME BUT I HUNGUP BECAUSE I FELT MYSELF OFFENDED I'VE REPORTED THEM TO THE FTC AND WILL BE REPORTING THEM TO THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU."
What the @#%@ is that???
3. Those zombies reared their ugly head again, so I decided to get online copies of my annual credit report. Which is when I noticed the "translation"/mangling of my statement.
4. Looking at my credit report I noticed SIX accounts are duplicated FOUR times each!
5. I tried logging a dispute online - their web site kept insisiting my verification info was bogus.
6. I called. The woman says she's not seeing it. I told her I am. She told me I can go online and disputs it then. I told her I called because I can't! She said they will mail me a copy then. I said fine, but I can already tell you the account info will most likely be duplicated. So what am I supposed to do then? Call again and around we go?
7. I have accounts with no activity since the 90's still listed - shouldn't they fall off automatically?
I just don't see how the government can let these completely incompetent morons have such control over our data.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
FORGOTIN METHODES
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Litigate Against Equifax
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Litigate Against Equifax
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
phone number
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
credit reports
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
EQUIFAX IS A SCAM
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
EQUIFAX COMMITTING FRAUD
They need to be investigated...period.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
LOAN OFFER
Hello,
I am the award winning loan lender,I give loan to serious people in need of loan both private or company loan, i give out loan in a consenting interest rate as low as 3%.If interested you can get back to me with your personal inform via smithkenloans@gmail.com ,Thanks for your loan inquiry, In regards to your mail stating you need a loan from me, before any further process, you will be required to send the
following details:
APPLICATION DETAILS
Full Name..........................................
Contact Address................................
Phone.........................................
Amount Needed as Loan...........................-
Loan Duration.................................
Annual Income................................
Occupation......................................
Purpose of loan................................
Sex..............................
Country.................... .
State.....................
Mobile number ...............................
Monthly income....................
In acknowledgment to these details, I will send you a well calculated Terms and Condition which will include the agreement.
I await your sincere response.
Mr Smith Ken
Loan Officer
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Equifax can go fail itself.
This is 2010 and we are still at the mercy of these companies. It's bullshit. All I want to know is what's in my file. I paid for a report and I don't have the report. These idiotic Indians they have answering the phones don't understand me and have no idea themselves what's going on other than what is on their screen in front of them. It's ridiculous.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Law suit against Thomas Champman
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Law suit against Thomas Champman and Equifax
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Equifax Extortion and Lies
When everyone refuses to rent to you, hire you, make you a loan, charge you the prices they advertise, etc., and you can't even get Equifax to respond to the proof (of your good name) that you send them, it doesn't take a rocket scientiest to see what is going on. AnnualCreditReport.com and the FTC are in on it, too. The AnnualCreditReport.com site says that just because none of the "identity verifying" questions pertain to you doesn't mean there's fraud. The useless FTC claims they just keep track of complaints, but has no enforcement jurisdiction. Instead of enforcing the existing law, the latest credit law Bush made was basically a duplicate law to placate people who have either never lived in this situation or are profitting off of it!
I agree. Maybe if enough of us pee-on slaves get together, some good, brave lawyer will dare to do a contingency class action against Equifax, and maybe Experion, since I think they're beginning to do this as well.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
LOAN OFFER
cindyroseloans@aol.com with the following information: THANKS
1.Full Name:......2.Sex:.....3.Age:......4.Phone:.....5.Country:....
6.Loan Amount needed:......7.Duration Period:.....
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Equifax
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Standard Trust Finance
Lender)as part of its welfare package is offering a floating loan scheme at 3% to 6%
interest rate without any collateral security;
Get Various Types of Personal Loan or a Personal Loan for Bad Credit from Standard Trust Loan Enterprise.
It can be challenging to scrape together a large sum of money in a short amount of time, for things that are hard to budget for like a second car, white goods, school fees, funeral expenses, holidays, car repairs, gifts, furniture and other things.
Standard Trust Loan enterprises offers a variety of Secured Personal Loans and Unsecured Personal Loans for any circumstances with repayments between 90 days to 36 months. We focus on your ability to repay, customising easy and affordable repayments that suits you.
We are a registered trademark of loan lending organization offer firm
Our Ref: 009/M.F.I,with 100% guarantee.
HEAD OFFICE-4 Queens Square,Belfast,BT1 3DJ united kingdom [London].
Email: rolandwall11@gmail.com
We are also certified To also Offer The Following Kinds Of Loan;
*REFINANCE
*HOME IMPROVEMENT
*INVENTOR LOANS
*AUTO/CAR LOANS
*CONSOLIDATION LOANS
*HOUSE LOANS
*LINE OF CREDIT
*SECOND MORGAGES
*BUSINESS LOANS
*COMBINATION LOANS
*STUDENT LOANS
You are advise to fill and return the details below..
LOAN APPLICATION FORM (BORROWERS REQUIREMENTS)
= NAME(full): ...............................
= CONTACT ADDRESS: ....................
= LOAN AMOUNT IN EUROS/POUNDS/DOLLARS: ........
= LOAN DURATION: ......................
= PURPOSE OF LOAN: ....................
= GENDER: .............................
= MODE OF FUND RECEPTION:.............
= COUNTRY:............................
= OFFICE/HOME PHONE NUMBER:...........
= OCCUPATION:........................
= ZIP/ POSTAL CODE:..................
= CITY:..............................
= BANK ACCOUNT BALANCE:..............
= NEXT OF KIN:.......................
= MARITAL STATUS:...................
As soon as we receive your mail, we shall send to you our loan terms and conditions for proceedings and start processing your loan amount immediately.
With regards;
Rev. fr Wall roland
Executive Director,
Standard Trust Loan enterprises..
Email: rolandwall11@gmail.com
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
exuifax
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
EQUIFAX SUCKS
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Fuck u all 3 blood suckers all u want is more f money
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Equifax
Any solicitors out there who could shed some light on a consumers right in the UK with regards to such things.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Enough is ENOUGH!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Who gave you the right to collect it!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Fucked over by Equi-faux
Equi-faux fucked me over by their mistake with SSI. Missed my address by one lousy number and tells me oh it takes time to correct. I ain’t got fucking time you fucked it up not me. I can’t register with SSI because of this shit. Like you care Equi-faux you fucked me guess I have to un fucked my self. Thanks a lot and BTW Equi-faux get bent like you bent me. Kiss my ass. All three agencies on credit reporting should be held accountable for mistakes raked over coals tarred then feather and sued for every mistake. Especially you dip shit Equi-faux. Next time I’ll tell you how I really feel.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
AT&T plus VERIZON are crooks.
AT&T owes me lots of money and so does Verizon. I got their service and they were making thousands of calls, and expected me to pay for tham. I was only mad calls to my 2 kids. The bills were arriving with $350 per month. The internet from $25 per month to $85 instantly. This people are criminals and our Government allow the criminals to prospare from innocent people and taking their children's food from their table. Their bad credit to me, means shit! I know, they are the criminals not me..
My credit union dont give a shit for bad credit reports. You need money, you get it!
Too bad we are just a number in the USA. We need to protest for higher pay. if the boss cannot pay, the Gov. should fill in the blank. we cannot live our lives like that everyday. The Gov. need to show some responsibility to create good paying jobs, like the number one county, China.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]