Credit agencies sending our files abroad

[RamboLiberal]

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2003/11/07/MNG4Q2SEAM1.DTL

Two of the three major credit-reporting agencies, each holding detailed files on about 220 million U.S. consumers, are in the process of outsourcing sensitive operations abroad, and a third may follow suit shortly, industry officials acknowledge for the first time.

Privacy advocates say the outsourcing of files that include Social Security numbers and complete credit histories could lead to a surge in identity theft because U.S. laws cannot be enforced overseas.

For their part, the credit agencies say the trend is a necessary cost- cutting move in light of new legislation that would allow all consumers to obtain free copies of their credit reports.

The top credit agencies -- Equifax, Experian and Trans Union -- have refused in the past to comment on their outsourcing plans. No longer.

"A hundred percent of our mail regarding customer disputes is going to go to India at some point," said David Emery, executive vice president and chief financial officer of TransUnion in Chicago. "We are now testing the system and negotiating a contract with an outside vendor. We expect to sign that contract by the end of the year."

[beyurslf]

1. Great!

So now disputing information will be even harder and take even longer. Has anyone actually ever succeeded in disputing something. I tried this summer with one stupid small account that I know nothign of. I had to send letters with my personal info plus copies of ss card and DL. Then I had to update my cbr because the address they had was wrong. After they updated it, I had to again send in letters with my personal info. After all this, (2 months) I got a letter that sauid they didn't research my file and I should contact some other company where they outsourced the work. I finally said forget it and paid the stupid 40 bucks to whoever it was.

[shanti]

8. i was a victim of identity theft

about 2 years ago. the "event" happened 10 years before that, but was never reported. it took me about 6-8 months to clear my credit report. what a hassle!

[Don_G]

2. Didn't A Pakastani Recently Threaten To Release Medical Records?

Thought so: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2003/10/22/MNGCO2FN8G1.DTL

[hlthe2b]

3. THis is something that should enrage everyone-- Dems/PuGs

alike...


Someone should post this over in Freeperland. Let them rally the "reagan" troops to take this on. (We should as well)

[havocmom]

4. there was a report that the some tax returns had been outsourced

earlier this year and they were also being processed in India.

[Don_G]

6. Not As Of June

http://www.fcw.com/fcw/articles/2003/0609/web-nteu-06-13-03.asp

[jiacinto]

5. I hate TransUnion

Trying to get someone there to talk to with a live voice is such a pain. I was mugged and had to call all the credit bureaus to put fraud alerts on my file.

They were the hardest to reach.

[grasswire]

7. there's a solution

Get out of the system. Pay cash. Don't use credit cards. Get out of banking. Use money orders.

If millions of people went back to cash, the system would gum up.

[realFedUp]

9. Who needs guns when you have credit files....

the new war on terrorism...