My sister sent me this email asking me if this is real or if it's a hoax. Seems like a hoax to me, but wondering if anyone else has seen it. ------------------- CREDIT REPORTING Be advised this release takes effect on July 01, 2003. Just wanted to let everyone know who hasn't already heard, the four major credit bureaus in the U.S. will be allowed to release your credit info. Starting July 1, including mailing addresses, phone numbers, etc., to anyone who requests it. 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. 1. Once the message starts, choose option #2 (even though option #1 refers to this E-mail) 2. and then option #3 - Be sure to listen closely, the first option is only for a two-year period. 3. Make sure you wait until they prompt for the third option, which opts you out forever. PLEASE PASS IT ON TO EVERYONE YOU CAN!!! -------------------------------------------
I was wondering the same thing...It sounded pretty real except that you had to give them your SS#...That was pretty fishy...
Apparently, it is somewhat true. I got this from About.com's urban legends: Not so fast! You may indeed want to dial that number, but first be aware that this little email tells a great big lie, namely that credit bureaus have all of a sudden been granted the right to share your personal information with any outside party they choose. Not so. They have always been able to do that. What is new since the Financial Services Modernization Act went into effect on July 1, 2001 is that U.S. consumers now have the explicit right to opt out of such information sharing by financial institutions with "unaffiliated firms" such as telemarketing companies. I.e., as of July 1, your privacy rights have ever-so-slightly increased, not decreased. The phone number given in the email is a valid one and has actually been available to consumers for several years. You can safely dial it to make an opt-out request based on your social security number (which will be requested) â?? but note that such a phone request only applies to the four major U.S. credit bureaus. If you also want to stop your bank, credit card companies, insurance companies, et al from releasing such information, you must contact each one individually. (Alternatively, you can contact the Direct Marketing Association to remove your name at the source.)
If you look at the 888 number it is the same opt out number that is listed in this board's FAQ section.
