| Comment Number: | 522110-00039 |
| Received: | 5/18/2006 1:51:00 PM |
| Organization: | |
| Commenter: | Josh Kretchman |
| State: | CA |
| Subject: | Procedures to Enhance the Accuracy and Integrity of Information Furnished to Consumer Reporting Agencies |
| Title: | Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking |
| CFR Citation: | 16 CFR Parts 660 and 661 |
| Attachment: | 522110-00039.pdf Download Adobe Reader |
Comments:
I would like to request that companies in the business of data mining and selling private, personal, and confidential information to third parties, often used in making credit decisions be held accountable under the FCRA as amended by the FACT act. A couple of examples of such companies are Lexis Nexis and Accurint. These companies compile extensive lists of information on individuals, including confidential information such as social security numbers, dates of birth, credit and bankruptcy information, as well as the same information for relatives, friends, and even past and present family members. Anyone willing to pay for it is able to obtain this information from these companies. Both companies currently deny that they are consumer reporting agencies, when in fact they are as defined by the FCRA and the amendments made by the FACT act. As a result, they have an obligation to provide a free yearly report on any information they have collected. Currently, they are charging consumers for this information. Secondly, both have a responsibility to ensure the information they have collected is accurate, and to investigate, correct and remove any information that is reported inaccurate by consumers. Their reckless disregard for private information will surely come to the forefront of the fight against identity theft if this issue is not resolved immediately. Please see attached a copy of a complaint I have filed with the FTC regarding these two companies. Also note that Lexis Nexis and Accurint are by no means the only violators, they are just the biggest players and are only the tip of the iceburg.