Re:       Consumer Credit Reporting Reform Act of 1996
            (An Amendment to the Fair Credit Reporting Act)

Dear Valued Client:

Last year, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 1681-1681u, was amended by the Consumer Credit Reporting Reform Act of 1996 (the Fair Credit Reporting Act, as amended, hereinafter, the “Act”).  The provisions of the Act became effective September 30, 1997.

Many of the amendments to the Act significantly affect the method of ordering and use of services.  The Act also imposes new requirements on you as “users” of “consumer reports” and/or “investigative consumer reports”.  As your information provider, MYB has prepared and attached a brief summary of the recently enacted provisions of the Act to familiarize your company (“Summary of Selected Provisions of the Act”).

As an update to our last instructional on How To Adhere To The New Laws, MYB has prepared the necessary authorization and disclosure forms as well as a copy of the Consumer Summary (the form and content of which is federally-mandated and cannot be altered) that you will read about in the attached Summary of Selected Provisions of the Act.  These forms are attached, along with a Table of Contents, to help you comply with the new law.

We also enclosed a copy of a “Notice to Users of Consumer Reports:  Obligations of Users Under the FCRA”; the Act requires us to send this notice to you.

Finally, attached please find a Client/User Certification.  The Act requires MYB to obtain this certification form from you in order to continue to provide you with access to our services.  Please have the appropriate person sign and complete the Client/User Certification and return the same to the following address.

Please feel free to call should you have any questions about the Act.

Sincerely,

MIND YOUR BUSINESS, INC.

Karen Caruso

Table of  Contents for Attached Forms
________________

Form Name
Attachment 
Summary of Selected Provisions of the Act Attachment A
Client/User Certification Attachment B
Consumer Authorization and Release for the
Procurement of a Consumer
and/or Investigative Consumer Report     
Attachment C
Notice of Adverse Action Based on
a Consumer and/or
Investigative Consumer Report
Attachment D
Notice to Users of Consumer Reports:  
Obligations of Users Under the FCRA Attachment E
Consumer Summary  
A Summary of Your Rights
Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act     
Attachment F
   
Click the image to open a printer friendly version of this agreement

Attachment A

Table of Contents

Summary of Selected Provisions of the Act


MIND YOUR BUSINESS, INC.

Summary of Selected Provisions of the Act
_______________________

Consumer Reporting Agency MYB Responsibilities:

•           Before preparing a consumer report or investigative consumer report (1), a consumer reporting agency
            must obtain a certification from each “user” that:  (a) before requesting a report, the user has provided
            the consumer a clear and conspicuous written disclosure that a report may be requested for employment
            purposes, in a document consisting solely of the disclosure; (b) before taking adverse action based on
            the report, the user will provide the consumer with a copy of the report and a notice of the consumer’s
            rights under the 15 U.S.C. 1681-1681u (the Fair Credit Reporting Act); and (c) the user will not use the
            consumer report in violation of any federal or state equal employment opportunity law.
•           A consumer reporting agency is prohibited from preparing a consumer report unless the consumer has
            signed a written consent that specifically authorizes the user to procure a consumer report.  In some
            circumstances, the written consent is required to contain special languages.
•           A consumer reporting agency must provide a copy of the prescribed summary of consumer rights
            with each report.

Client (User) Responsibilities:

•           Before requesting a consumer report for employment purposes, you must provide the consumer with
            a clear and conspicuous written disclosure notifying him/her that a consumer report may be requested
            for employment purposes.  This disclosure must be in a document consisting solely of the notice (i.e.,
            it cannot be placed on the application).
•           Before taking adverse action against a consumer, you must provide him/her with a copy of the report
            and the prescribed summary of consumer rights.
•           If you make an adverse decision based on a report, you must:  (a) inform the consumer of this fact and
            provide him/her with MYB’s name, address and telephone number; (b) inform the consumer that MYB
            did not make the decision to take adverse action and is unable to provide him/her with the specific
            reasons for the adverse action taken; (c) inform the consumer of his/her right to obtain a free copy of
            the consumer report from MYB and (d) inform the consumer of his/her right to request an investigation
            of any item in the report that he/she disputes.
®        This Summary is not intended, nor should it be construed as, legal advice.  Please consult your
            company’s legal department or attorney for legal interpretations of the Act and its application to
            your company.


Attachment B

Table of Contents

Client/User Certification

To be signed and sent to:

Karen Caruso
Mind Your Business, Inc.
P.O. Box 922
ARDEN, NC

Phone 828-698-9900
Fax 828-698-9918

Attn.:  Client/User Certification

 

MIND YOUR BUSINESS, INC.

Client/User Certification
Pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 1681 b(b)

Pursuant to the Fair Credit Reporting Act 15 U.S.C. 1681-1681u, as amended by the Consumer Credit Reporting Reform Act of 1996 (the “Act”), ______________________________________________, (“Client”) hereby agrees, certifies and warrants to Mind Your Business, Inc. (“MYB”) as follows:

1.             Client will not request, cause to be prepared or procure from MYB, any consumer report for
                employment purposes unless:

                a.             Prior to requesting, causing to be prepared or procuring a consumer and / or investigative
                                consumer report, Client provides the consumer a clear and conspicuous written disclosure
                                informing him/her that a consumer and/or an investigative consumer report may be
                                obtained for employment purposes, in a document consisting solely of the disclosure; and

                b.             Prior to requesting a consumer and/or investigative consumer report, Client obtains a
                                written consent from the consumer specifically authorizing the procurement of a consumer
                                and/or investigative consumer report by that Client.

2.             In using a consumer and/or investigative consumer report for employment purposes, before Client
                takes any adverse action, based in whole or in part on the report, Client shall provide to the
                consumer to whom the report relates:

                a.             A copy of the consumer and/or investigative consumer report; and
                b.             A description in writing of the rights of the consumer under the Act, in the form attached
                                hereto as Attachment F, titled “Consumer Summary”.

3.             In the event Client takes adverse action against a consumer, based in whole or in part on a consumer
                and/or investigative report prepared by MYB, Client shall provide the consumer MYB’s name, address
                and telephone number.

4.             In the event Client takes adverse action against the consumer, based in whole or in part on a consumer
                and/or investigative consumer report, Client shall provide the consumer with a statement that “MYB
                did not make the decision to take adverse action and is unable to provide the consumer with specific
                reasons why the adverse action was taken.”

5.             Client shall not request, cause to be prepared or procure an investigative consumer report unless:
                a.             It is clearly and accurately disclosed to the consumer that an investigative consumer report
                                may be requested which will include information as to his/her character, general reputation,
                                personal characteristics and mode of living, whichever applicable, and such disclosure:

                                1.             Is made in writing, mailed to or otherwise delivered to the consumer not later than
                                                three (3) days after the date on which the report was first requested; and
                                2.             Includes a statement informing the consumer of his/her right to request the
                                                additional disclosures provided under 15 U.S.C. 1681 d(b) and a copy of the
                                                Consumer Summary attached hereto as Attachment F.

6.             Client will not use any consumer and/or investigative consumer report prepared by MYB in violation of
                any applicable federal or state equal employment opportunity law or regulation.

                                                                                                

 

CLIENT  AGENCY
______________________________________  ______________________________________ 
Print Company Name   Signature
______________________________________  ______________________________________ 
Signature of Authorized Company Representative     Date
______________________________________   
Date   

                                                                                                                                                            

Attachment C

Table of Contents

Consumer Authorization and Release
for the Procurement of a
Consumer and/or Investigative Consumer Report

(To be used by Client before ordering MYB services)


MIND YOUR BUSINESS, INC.

Authorization and Release for the Procurement
of a Consumer and/or Investigative Consumer Report

I, the undersigned consumer, do hereby authorize ____________________________________, by and through its independent contractor, MIND YOUR BUSINESS, INC. (“MYB”), to procure a consumer report and/or investigative consumer report on me.

These above mentioned reports may include, but are not limited to, employment and education verification; personal references; citations; a social security number verification; present and former addresses; criminal and civil history/record; and any other public record; and any other information bearing on my credit standing, credit capacity, worthiness, character, general reputation, person characteristics, trustworthiness and/or mode of living.

I understand that the investigative consumer report I have authorized above may include information obtained by interview with my neighbors, friends and/or associates and/or others with whom I am acquainted or who may have knowledge concerning said information.  I understand that I am entitled to a complete and accurate disclosure of the nature and scope of any investigative consumer report prepared on me upon my written request to MYB that is made within a reasonable time after the date hereof.

I further authorize any person, business entity or governmental agency who may have information relevant to the above to disclose the same to _____________________________, by and through MYB, including but not limited to, any courthouse, any public agency, any and all law enforcement agencies and any and all credit bureaus, regardless of whether such person, business entity or governmental agency compiled the information itself or received it from other sources.

I hereby release ________________________________, MYB and any and all persons, business entities and governmental agencies, whether public or private, from any and all liability, claims and/or demands, of whatever kind, to me, my heirs, or others making such claim or demand on my behalf, for procuring, selling, providing, brokering, and/or assisting with the compilation or preparation of the consumer report and/or investigative consumer report hereby authorized.


PRINTED NAME:       _____________________________________________________________________                                     

  First   
Middle Last

SIGNATURE:              _______________________________________                  DATE:             _________________

COMPLETE RESIDENCE ADDRESS: ________________________________________________________

Street Number/P.O. Box/
Street Name

 ________________________________________________________________________________________

City  State Zip Code     County

                                                                                       

SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER:          ________________________________________________________

DAYTIME TELEPHONE NUMBER:  ________________________________________________________

DRIVER’S LICENSE NUMBER:_________________________________STATE ISSUED_______

DATE OF BIRTH*:      ________________________________                    GENDER*:       _________________

*This information is voluntary.  However, without this information, we will be unable to properly
identify you in the event we find adverse information during the course of our background search.

Attachment D

Table of Contents

Notice of Adverse Action Based on
a Consumer and/or Investigative Consumer Report

(To be used by Client after sending the consumer a copy of
 his/her report and making an “adverse decision
”)


(Place on your Company letterhead)

Notice of Adverse Action Based on a

Consumer Report and/or Investigative Consumer Report

___________________________________ has decided to deny you application for employment based on information contained in a consumer report and/or investigative consumer report (the “Report”)

The Report was prepared by:              MIND YOUR BUSINESS, INC.

Please know that MIND YOUR BUSINESS, INC., did not make the decision to take adverse action against you; and therefore, is unable to provide you with specific reasons for the adverse action.

You have the right to contact MIND YOUR BUSINESS, INC. to request a free copy of the above-mentioned report.  You may make this request in writing to the following address:

                                      MIND YOUR BUSINESS, INC.
                                      P. O. Box 922
                                      Arden, NC  28704
                                      Attn.:  FCRA Disclosure/Reinvestigations
or by telephone to:          (828) 698-9900
or by facsimile to:            (828) 698-9918

If you dispute the accuracy or completeness of any of the information contained in the Report, you have the right to request a reinvestigation by MIND YOUR BUSINESS, INC., unless your request is frivolous.  MIND YOUR BUSINESS, INC. must give you a written report of the reinvestigation and a copy of your report if the reinvestigation results in any change.  If MIND YOUR BUSINESS, INC.’S reinvestigation does not resolve your dispute, you may add a brief statement to your file at MIND YOUR BUSINESS, INC.

Attachment E

Table of Contents

Notice to Users of Consumer Reports:
Obligations of Users Under the FCRA

(Required to be sent to you by the FCRA)


MIND YOUR BUSINESS, INC.

Notice to Users of Consumer Reports:
Obligations of Users Under FCRA

The federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (“FCRA”) requires that this notice be provided to inform users of consumer reports of their legal obligations.   State law may impose additional requirements.  The first section of this summary sets forth the responsibilities imposed by the FCRA on all users of consumer reports.  The subsequent sections discuss the duties of users of reports that contain specific types of information, or that are used for certain purposes, and the legal consequences of violations.  The FCRA, 15 U.S.C. 1681-1681u, is set forth in full at the Federal Trade Commission’s Internet website (http://www.ftc.gov).

I.          OBLIGATIONS OF ALL USERS OF CONSUMER REPORTS

A.        Users Must Have a Permissible Purpose

Congress has limited the use of consumer reports to protect consumer’s privacy.  All users must have a permissible purpose under the FCRA to obtain a consumer report.  Section 604 of the FCRA contains a list of the permissible purposes under the law.  They are:

•           As ordered by a court or a federal grand jury subpoena.  Section 604(a)(1).

•           As instructed by the consumer in writing.  Section 604(a)(2).

•           For the extension of credit as a result of an application from a consumer, or the review or
            collection of a consumer’s account.  Section 604(a)(3)(A).

•           For employment purposes, including hiring and promotion decisions, where the consumer
            has given written permission.  Section 604(a)(3)(B) and 604(b).

•           For the underwriting of insurance as the result of an application from a consumer.
            Section 604(a)(3)(C).

•           When there is a legitimate business need, in connection with a business transaction
            that is initiated by the consumer.  Section 604(a)(3)(F)(i).

•           To review a consumer’s account to determine whether the consumer continues to meet the
            terms of the account.  Section 60(a)(3)(F)(ii).

•           To determine a consumer’s eligibility for a license or other benefit granted by a governmental
            instrumentality required by law to consider an applicant’s financial responsibility of status.
            Section 604(a)(3)(D).

•           For use by a potential investor or servicer, or current insurer, in a valuation or assessment of
            the credit or prepayment risks associated with an existing credit obligation.  Section 604(a)(3)(E).

•           For use by state and local officials in connection with the determination of child support payments,
            or modifications and enforcement thereof.  Sections 604(a)(4) and 604(a)(5).

In addition, creditors and insurers may obtain certain consumer report information for the purpose of making unsolicited offers of credit or insurance.  The particular obligations of users of this “prescreened” information are described in Section V below.

B.        Users Must Provide Certifications

Section 604(f) of the FCRA prohibits any person from obtaining a consumer report from a consumer reporting agency (“CRA”) unless the person has certified to the CRA (by a general or specific certification, as appropriate) the permissible purpose(s) for which the report is being obtained and certifies that the report will not be used for any other purpose.

MIND YOUR BUSINESS, INC.

NOTICE TO USERS OF CONSUMER REPORTS
OBLIGATIONS OF USERS UNDER FCRA

Page Two

C.        Users Must Notify Consumers When Adverse Actions Are Taken

The term “adverse action” is defined very broadly by Section 603 of the FCRA.  “Adverse Actions” include all business, credit and employment actions affecting consumers that can be considered to have a negative impact — such as unfavorably changing credit or contract terms of conditions, denying or canceling credit or insurance, offering credit on less favorable terms than requested, or denying employment or promotion.

1.         Adverse Actions Based on Information Obtained from a CRA

If a user takes any type of adverse action that is based at least in part on information contained in a consumer report, the user is required by Section 615(a) of the FCRA to notify the consumer.  The notification may be done in writing, orally, or by electronic means.  It must include the following:

•           The name, address and telephone number of the CRA (including the toll-free number, if it is a
            nationwide CRA) that provided the report.

•           A statement that the CRA did not make the adverse decision and is not able to explain why the
            decision was made.

•           A statement setting forth the consumer’s right to obtain a free disclosure of the consumer’s file
            from the CRA if the consumer requests the report within 60 days.

•           A statement setting forth the consumer’s right to dispute directly with the CRA the accuracy or
            completeness of any information provided by the CRA.

2.         Adverse Actions Based on Information Obtained From Third Parties Who Are Not Consumer

            Reporting Agencies

If a person denies (or increases the charge for) credit for personal, family or household purposes based either wholly or partly upon information from a person other than a CRA, and the information is the type of consumer information covered by the FCRA, Section 615(b)(1) of the FCRA requires that the user clearly and accurately disclose to the consumer his or her right to obtain disclosure of the nature of the information that was relied upon by making a written request within 60 days of notification.  The user must provide the disclosure within a reasonable period of time following the consumer’s written request.

3.         Adverse Action Based on Information Obtained from Affiliates

If a person takes an adverse action involving insurance, employment or a credit transaction initiated by the consumer, based on information of the type covered by the FCRA and this information was obtained from an entity affiliated with the user of the information by common ownership or control, Section 615(b)(2) requires the user to notify the consumer of the adverse action.  The notification must inform the consumer that he or she may obtain a disclosure of the nature of the information relied upon by making a written request within 60 days of receiving the adverse action notice.  If the consumer makes such a request, the user must disclose the nature of the information not later than 30 days after receiving the request.  (Information that is obtained directly from an affiliated entity relating solely to its transactions or experiences with the consumer, and information from a consumer report obtained from an affiliate are not covered by Section 615(b)(2)).

MIND YOUR BUSINESS, INC.

NOTICE TO USERS OF CONSUMER REPORTS
OBLIGATIONS OF USERS UNDER THE FCRA

Page Three

II          OBLIGATIONS OF USERS WHEN CONSUMER REPORTS ARE OBTAINED FOR         EMPLOYMENT PURPOSES

If information from a CRA is used for employment purposes, the user has specific duties, which are set forth in Section 604(b) of the FCRA.  The user must:

•           Make a clear and conspicuous written disclosure to the consumer before the report is obtained, in a
            document that consists solely of the disclosure, that a consumer report may be obtained.

•           Obtain prior written authorization from the consumer.

•           Certify to the CRA that the above steps have been followed, that the information being obtained
            will not be used in violation of any federal or state equal opportunity law or regulation, and that,
            if adverse action is to be taken based on the consumer report, a copy of the report and a summary
            of the consumer’s rights will be provided to the consumer.

Before taking an adverse action, provide a copy of the report to the consumer as well as the summary of the consumer’s rights.  (The user should receive this summary from the CRA, because Section 604(b)(1)(B) of the FCRA requires CRAs to provide a copy of the summary with each consumer report obtained for employment purposes.).

III.        OBLIGATIONS OF USERS OF INVESTIGATIVE CONSUMER REPORTS

Investigative Consumer Reports are a special type of consumer report in which information about a consumer’s character, general reputation, personal characteristics and mode of  living is obtained through personal interviews.  Consumers who are the subjects of such reports are given special rights under the FCRA.  if a user intends to obtain an investigative consumer report, Section 606 of the FCRA requires the following:

•           The user must disclose to the consumer that an investigative consumer report may be obtained.
            This must be done in a written disclosure that is mailed or otherwise delivered to the consumer
            not later than three days after the date on which the report was first requested.  The disclosure
            must include a statement informing the consumer of his or her right to request additional disclosures
            of the nature and scope of the investigation as described below, and must include the summary of
            consumer rights required by Section 609 of the FCRA.
  (The user should be able to obtain a copy of the notice of consumer rights from the CRA that provided the consumer report).

•           The user must certify to the CRA that the disclosures set forth above have been made and that the user
            will make the disclosure described below.

•           Upon the written request of a consumer made within a reasonable period of time after the disclosures
            required above, the user must make a complete disclosure of the nature and scope of the investigation
            that was requested.  This must be made in a written statement that is mailed or otherwise delivered,
            to the consumer no later than five days after the date on which the request was received from the
            consumer or the report was first requested, whichever is later in time.

IV.        OBLIGATIONS OF USERS OF CONSUMER REPORTS CONTAINING MEDICAL INFORMATION

Section 604(g) of the FCRA prohibits consumer reporting agencies from providing consumer reports that contain medical information for employment purposes, or in connection with credit or insurance transactions, without the specific prior consent of the consumer who is the subject of the report.  In the case of medical information being

MIND YOUR BUSINESS, INC.

NOTICE TO USERS OF CONSUMER REPORTS
OBLIGATIONS OF USERS UNDER THE FCRA

Page Four

sought for employment purposes, the consumer must explicitly consent to the release of the medical information in addition to authorizing the obtaining of a consumer report generally.

V.         OBLIGATIONS OF USERS OF “PRESCREENED” LISTS

The FCRA permits creditors and insurers to obtain limited consumer report information for use in connection with unsolicited offers of credit or insurance under certain circumstances.  Sections 603(I), 604(c), 604(e) and 615(d).  This practice is known as “prescreening” and typically involves obtaining a list of consumers from a  CRA who meet certain pre-established criteria.  If any person intends to use prescreened lists, that person must (1) before the offer is made, establish the criteria that will be relied upon to make the offer and to grant credit or insurance, and (2) maintain such criteria on file for a three-year period beginning on the date on which the offer is made to each consumer.  In addition, any user must provide with each written solicitation a clear and conspicuous statement that:

•           Information contained in a consumer’s CRA file was used in connection with the transaction.

•           The consumer received the offer because he or she satisfied the criteria for credit worthiness or
            insurability used to screen the offer.

•           Credit or insurance may not be extended  if, after the consumer responds, it is determined that the
            consumer does not meet the criteria used for screening or any applicable criteria bearing on credit
            worthiness or insurability, or the consumer does not furnish required collateral.

The consumer may prohibit the use of information in his or her file in connection with future prescreened offers of credit or insurance by contacting the notification system established by the CRA that provided the report.  This statement must include the address and toll-free telephone number of the appropriate notification system.

VI.        OBLIGATIONS OF RESELLERS

Section 607(e) of the FCRA requires any person who obtains a consumer report for resale to take the following steps:

•           Disclosing the identity of the end-user to the source CRA.

•           Identify to the source CRA each permissible purpose for which the report will be furnished to
            the end-user.

•           Establish and follow reasonable procedures to ensure that reports are resold only for permissible
            purposes, including procedures to obtain:

            (1)        the identity of all end-users;

            (2)        certifications from all users of each purpose for which the reports will be used; and

            (3)        certifications that reports will not be used for any purpose other than the purpose(s)
                        specified to the reseller.  Resellers must make reasonable efforts to verify this information
                        before selling the report.

VII.         LIABILITY FOR VIOLATIONS OF THE FCRA

Failure to comply with the FCRA can result in state or federal enforcement actions, as well as private lawsuits.  Sections 616, 617 and 621.  In addition, any person who knowingly and willfully obtains a consumer report under false pretenses may face criminal prosecution.  Section 619.


Attachment F

Table of Contents

Consumer Summary
A Summary of Your Rights Under the FCRA

(To be sent with each report)


MIND YOUR BUSINESS, INC.

Consumer Summary
________________

A Summary of Your Rights Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act

The federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (“FCRA”) is designed to promote accuracy, fairness and privacy of information in the files of every “consumer reporting agency” (“CRA”).  Most CRAs are credit bureaus that gather and sell information about you — such as if you pay your bills on time or have filed bankruptcy — to creditors, employers, landlords and other businesses.  You can find the complete text of the FCRA, 15 U.S.C. 1681-1681u, at the Federal Trade Commission’s website (http://www.ftc.gov).  The FCRA gives you specific rights as outlined below.  You may have additional rights under state law.  You may contact a state or local consumer protection agency or a state attorney general to learn those rights.

•           You must be told if information in your file has been used against you.  Anyone who uses
            information from a CRA to take action against you — such as denying an application for credit,
            insurance or employment — must tell you, and give you the name, address and phone number
            of the CRA that provided the consumer report.

•           You can find out what is in your file.  At your request, a CRA must give you the information in your
            file, and a list of everyone who has requested it recently.  There is no charge for the report if a person
            has taken action against you because of information supplied by the CRA, if you request the report
            within 60 days of receiving notice of the action.  You are also entitled to one free report every twelve
            months upon request if you certify that (1) you are unemployed and plan to seek employment within
            60 days, (2) you are on welfare, or (3) your report is inaccurate due to fraud.  Otherwise, a CRA may
            charge you up to eight dollars.

•           You can dispute inaccurate information with the CRA.  If you tell a CRA that your file contains
            inaccurate information, the CRA must investigate the items (usually within 30 days) by presenting
            to its information source all relevant evidence you submit, unless your dispute is frivolous.  The source
            must review your evidence and report its findings to the CRA. The source also must advise national
        CRAs — to which it has provided the data — of any error  The CRA must give you a written report
            of the investigation, and a copy of your report if the investigation results in any change.  If the CRA’s
            investigation does not resolve the dispute, you may add a brief statement to your file.  The CRA must
            normally include a summary of your statement in future reports.  If an item is deleted or a dispute
            statement is filed, you may ask that anyone who has recently received your report be notified of the
            change.

•           Inaccurate Information must be corrected or deleted.  A CRA must remove or correct inaccurate
            or unverified information from its files, usually within 30 days after you dispute it.  However, the
            CRA is not required to remove accurate data from your file unless it is outdated (as described
            below) or cannot be verified.  If your dispute results in any change to your report, the CRA cannot
            reinsert into your file a disputed item unless the information source verifies its accuracy and
            completeness.  In addition, the CRA must give you a written notice telling you it has reinserted the
            item.  The notice must include the name, address and phone number of the information source.

•           You can dispute inaccurate items with the source of the information.  If you tell anyone —
            such as a creditor who reports to a CRA — that you dispute an item, they may not then report

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CONSUMER SUMMARY
A SUMMARY OF YOUR RIGHTS UNDER THE FAIR CREDIT REPORTING ACT

Page Two

            the information to a CRA without including a notice of your dispute.  In addition, once
          you’ve notified the source of the error in writing, it may not continue to report the information
           if it is, in fact, an error.

•           Access to your file is limited.  A CRA may provide information about you only to people with
            a need recognized by the FCRA — usually to consider an application with a creditor, insurer,
            employer, landlord or other business.

•           Your consent is required for reports that are provided to employers, or reports that
            contain medical information.  A CRA may not give out information about you to your
            employer, or prospective employer, without your written consent.  A CRA may not report
            medical information about you to creditors, insurers, or employers without your permission.

•           You may choose to exclude your name from CRA lists for unsolicited credit and
            insurance offers.  Creditors and insurers may use file information as the basis for sending
            you unsolicited offers of credit or insurance.  Such offers must include a toll-free phone
            number for you to call if you want your name and address removed from future lists.  If you
            call, you must be kept off the lists for two years.  If you request, complete and return the
            CRA form provided for this purpose, you must be taken off the lists indefinitely.

•           You may seek damages from violators.  If a CRA, a user or (in some cases) a provider of
            CRA data, violates the FCRA, you may sue them in state or federal court.


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CONSUMER SUMMARY
A SUMMARY OF YOUR RIGHTS UNDER THE FAIR CREDIT REPORTING ACT

Page Three

The FCRA gives several different agencies authority to enforce the FCRA:

For Questions or concerns

regarding:

please contact:

CRAs, creditors and others not listed below

Federal Trade Commission
Consumer Response Center - FCRA
Washington, DC  20580
(202) 326-3761

National Banks, federal branches/agencies of
foreign banks (word “National” or initials “
N.A.” appear in or after bank’s name)

Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
Compliance Management, Mail Stop 6-6
Washington, DC  20219
(800) 613-6743

Federal Reserve System member banks
(except national banks and federal branches/
agencies or foreign banks)

Federal Reserve BoardDivision of Consumer & Community Affairs
Washington, DC 20551
(202) 452-3693

Savings associations and federally chartered savings
banks (word “Federal” or initials, “F.S.B.” appear in
federal institution’s name)

Office of Thrift Supervision Consumer Programs
Washington, DC  20552
(800) 842-6929

Federal Credit Unions (words “Federal CreditUnion”
appear in institution’s name)

National Credit Union Administration
1775 Duke Street
Alexandria, VA  22314
(703) 518-6360

State-chartered banks that are not members of the
Federal Reserve System)

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
Division of Compliance & Consumer Affairs
Washington, DC  20429
(800) 934-FDIC

Air, surface or rail common carriers regulated by
former Civil Aeronautics Board or Interstate
Commerce Commission

Department of Transportation
Office of Financial Management
Washington, DC  20590
(202) 366-1306

Activities subject to the Packers and Stockyards
Act, 1921

Department of Agriculture
Office of Deputy Administrator - GIPSA
Washington, DC  20250
(202) 720-7051



[1] An “investigative consumer report” is any report that includes information relating to a person’s character, general reputation, personal characteristics and/or mode of living that is obtained through personal interviews.

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