There has been a proliferation of confusing advertising regarding where consumers can obtain their free annual [credit] file, according to the FTC. The new rules were drafted because a provision in the Credit CARD Act of 2009 says, beginning Feb. 22, 2010, radio, TV and other ads for free credit reports must include the following disclaimer: This is not the free how to check credit score Cincinnati credit report provided for by federal law.
These advertisements direct consumers not to AnnualCreditReport.com, the authorized source for free annual file disclosures, but to commercial websites operated by the nationwide CRAs (credit reporting agencies) or others that sell a variety of products and services, according to the FTC. Further, when a consumer uses an Internet search engine to find the website for free annual file disclosures, the search engine will usually list 'sponsored' links -- again, selling products and services -- such as 'FreeCreditReport.com' first.
As a how to check credit score Cincinnati result of this advertising, consumers are often misled and confused about where to go to obtain the free annual file disclosure mandated by federal law. Getting a 'free' credit report is one of the most how to check credit score Cincinnati confusing and frustrating experiences there is.
The FTC is also seeking to make getting free credit reports on the official how to check credit score Cincinnati site -- AnnualCreditReport.com -- less confusing for consumers. free credit reports scores Today, the site makes it how to check credit score Cincinnati easy for consumers to get sidetracked from the free path with ads and special offers for additional services that are not free. The proposal would ban those pitches until after consumers have signed up for their free reports. Also banned: requiring consumers to set up accounts on the site before they can get their free reports.
Hundreds comment on proposed rules Of the more than 1,000 comments filed with the FTC about the proposed changes, how to check credit score Cincinnati an overwhelming majority support the new rules. Carl Levin, the National Association of Attorneys General and the National Consumer Law Center were among those supporting the rules. Among those expressing concerns for commercial expression on the Internet and free commerce were: the Interactive Advertising Bureau, National Business Coalition for E-Commerce and Privacy and the Direct Marketing Association. The majority of comments were how to check credit score Cincinnati from consumers, some fuming over what they call deception when trying to obtain their how to check credit score Cincinnati free reports. annualcreditreport The last time I how to check credit score Cincinnati got mine, I ended up paying a how to check credit score Cincinnati monthly fee for about six months before I identified the charge.
This should not be tricky for senior citizens or anyone else, writes Patricia Poklemba of Virginia. Getting a 'free' credit report is one of the most confusing and frustrating experiences there is, writes Nicolas Guzman of Virginia. The how to check credit score Cincinnati credit reporting companies do everything they can to confuse you and get you out of the 'free' site and into their paid services. Nonfree commercial links should be CLEARLY stated as such or prohibited. I have to be very careful when I request my report to make sure I am on the right site and am not requesting any additional services I don't want, Carolyn Halloway wrote in her comment. The FTC will review the submissions and decide whether to revise the proposals or publish final rules in how to check credit score Cincinnati time for the Feb. Criticism of commercial site Many people criticized the most visible of the commercial websites, FreeCreditReport.com, which is owned by Consumerinfo.com Inc., a how to check credit score Cincinnati division of the Experian credit reporting bureau. Television ads for the site feature humorous depictions of singing, costumed identity theft victims. They could have avoided the ensuing problems, the ads claim, if they had checked their credit reports on FreeCreditReport.com. annual free credit report government In 2005, the FTC filed suit against the site and has collected more than how to check credit score Cincinnati $1 million in fines for deceptive marketing tactics. The FTC got so many complaints about FreeCreditReport.com that the agency even produced a commercial of its own how to check credit score Cincinnati spoofing the commercial ad and raising consumer awareness of AnnualCreditReport.com.
I am SO sick of hearing the false advertising in 'FreeCreditReport.com' commercials I could scream, writes David LaReau of Illinois in comments filed with the FTC. I almost got suckered into this some time ago, until I refused to enter a credit card number.
Nessun commento:
Posta un commento