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US Law Makes Spamming *Easier*
As the lines between the online and offline world blur (consider online
banking, for example), what used to be paper-based snail-mail spamming
is surely spilling into the electronic world.
And--- unfortunately--- some parts of the US Government are making it
easier than ever for businesses to share private information about you.
Reader Al Conforti sends along a link and a phone number that may help.
But please read this item all the way through to then end before you
decide to act:
Just wanted to let everyone know who hasn't already heard, the
four major credit bureaus in the US. [were] allowed, starting
July 1, to release your credit info, mailing addresses, phone
numbers, etc. ... If you would like to 'opt out' of this
release of info, you can call 1-888-567-8688. It only takes a
couple of minutes to do, and you can take care of anyone else
in the household while making only one call, you'll just need
to know their social security number. Be sure to listen
closely, the first opt out is only for two years, make sure
you wait until they prompt you to press '3' on your keypad to
opt out for good. Listen to the tape and choose for the opt
out permanently.
Please go to the following website that was set up by the
Federal Trade Commission. http://www.ftc.gov/privacy/protect.htm
The change in the law in effect made "opt in" the default for many types
of business data sharing. It seems backwards to me, but now, in the US,
unless you specifically say "don't release my data" many businesses are
free to share a wide range of information about you.
But even so, there's a distinction between sharing info on things like
"preapproved credit" offers, and the sharing of the specific details of
your credit history. The former is generally allowed, but the latter is
NOT available to anyone who just asks for it. The barriers to gaining
the info aren't very high, unfortunately, but access to the information
is at least somewhat restricted.
There's also some messy confusion between what can be done at the
federal level, and what must be done locally. The phone number above is
mainly for opting out of the "preapproved credit" type of offers, and
won't help with (say) opting out of any information-sharing your local
bank may have in mind. The latter will take a separate phone call or email.
The FTC link that Al provides gives you easy access to credit reporting
bureaus, your local department of motor vehicles, and various direct
marketing agencies. As such, it's probably better than the phone number
for actually getting some safeguards in place for your private info.
Thanks, Al!
And online, check the privacy policy of any sites you do business with:
The site should state clearly what--- if anything--- will be done with
your private info. If you don't like what you see, of if the site has no
privacy policy, take your business elsewhere.
banking, for example), what used to be paper-based snail-mail spamming
is surely spilling into the electronic world.
And--- unfortunately--- some parts of the US Government are making it
easier than ever for businesses to share private information about you.
Reader Al Conforti sends along a link and a phone number that may help.
But please read this item all the way through to then end before you
decide to act:
Just wanted to let everyone know who hasn't already heard, the
four major credit bureaus in the US. [were] allowed, starting
July 1, to release your credit info, mailing addresses, phone
numbers, etc. ... If you would like to 'opt out' of this
release of info, you can call 1-888-567-8688. It only takes a
couple of minutes to do, and you can take care of anyone else
in the household while making only one call, you'll just need
to know their social security number. Be sure to listen
closely, the first opt out is only for two years, make sure
you wait until they prompt you to press '3' on your keypad to
opt out for good. Listen to the tape and choose for the opt
out permanently.
Please go to the following website that was set up by the
Federal Trade Commission. http://www.ftc.gov/privacy/protect.htm
The change in the law in effect made "opt in" the default for many types
of business data sharing. It seems backwards to me, but now, in the US,
unless you specifically say "don't release my data" many businesses are
free to share a wide range of information about you.
But even so, there's a distinction between sharing info on things like
"preapproved credit" offers, and the sharing of the specific details of
your credit history. The former is generally allowed, but the latter is
NOT available to anyone who just asks for it. The barriers to gaining
the info aren't very high, unfortunately, but access to the information
is at least somewhat restricted.
There's also some messy confusion between what can be done at the
federal level, and what must be done locally. The phone number above is
mainly for opting out of the "preapproved credit" type of offers, and
won't help with (say) opting out of any information-sharing your local
bank may have in mind. The latter will take a separate phone call or email.
The FTC link that Al provides gives you easy access to credit reporting
bureaus, your local department of motor vehicles, and various direct
marketing agencies. As such, it's probably better than the phone number
for actually getting some safeguards in place for your private info.
Thanks, Al!
And online, check the privacy policy of any sites you do business with:
The site should state clearly what--- if anything--- will be done with
your private info. If you don't like what you see, of if the site has no
privacy policy, take your business elsewhere.
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