Protecting Your Privacy

Safeguarding your privacy

The decade of the '90s will be marked by giant leaps in the ability to collect, store, and move information almost instantaneously around the world. Many businesses are use technology to improve customer service and to help target direct mail offers to those most likely to respond. New systems also speed up processing time for orders and help control the costs of doing business.

The expanded capability to collect, store, and use data about our personal, financial, and medical histories concerns some consumers who wonder how such information is protected and who has access to it. There are many ways you can help to protect your privacy.

Credit records

Credit bureaus compile records of individual consumers' credit habits to assist lenders, employers, and other businesses (such as retail stores and utilities) in assessing applicants' creditworthiness. You should check your credit bureau records periodically:

Get a copy of your credit report and check for inaccuracies. Credit records are usually maintained by credit bureaus which normally operate on one of three national reporting systems:

Equifax,
Trans Union, and
TRW.

Checking for inaccuracies will enable you to correct mistakes before you apply for a job, credit, or insurance. Bureau systems charge a fee for a copy of your report. The law requires, if you have been denied credit within the last 30 days, the report is free from the bureau that supplied the report to the creditor.

If you find inaccuracies, write the credit bureau and explain the error(s). The bureau is required to re-verify the information within a reasonable time or remove it from your file. You may wish to review information held by the other major credit bureaus as well. If there is negative information that must remain.

Phone calls

If you don't recognize a number, you have the choice of answering or not.
If you choose not to answer, you can use an answering machine or service to avoid missing important calls from unfamiliar numbers.
If you don't want your number revealed to those who have Caller ID, see whether your local telephone company offers blocking mechanisms to prevent it from being displayed. You also could call from a pay phone, or ask an operator to place the call and not reveal your number.

Companies with 800 and 900 numbers can use a similar number identification technology to record your telephone number when you call. Some firms use your number to help retrieve your records faster and improve the quality and speed of handling your call. Be aware when you call that firms may also match your number to your name and address to add to customer lists created for marketing or service purposes.

Cellular and cordless phone conversations are easily monitored. You may choose to avoid conducting confidential conversations on these phones.

Direct Marketing

Many companies use direct mail and telemarketing to reach consumers. If you do not wish to be solicited, some companies let you opt out of these programs.

To reduce the number of direct mail or telephone solicitations you receive, write to the companies that are contacting you and ask to be removed from their lists. Also, watch for special billing inserts provided by some companies which let you exclude your name from their lists.

Contact the Mail Preference Service and the Telephone Preference Service of the Direct Marketing Association (DMA). Your name can be removed from (or added to) the lists of DMA members who participate in these programs. You will still get some mail and calls, but this will help reduce the volume.

To control what information about you is kept, say "no" to telemarketers who want more information than you feel is necessary, and to those who refuse to send follow-up explanatory materials.

Identification

Do not write your telephone number on credit or charge card purchase slips. Major credit and charge card providers do not require a telephone number for identification. (Where the merchant has no electronic or telephone connection with the card company to verify your account at the time of purchase, you may still be asked

To avoid a common source of fraud, do not allow your credit or charge card account number to be written on your personal check-particularly if your driver's license number is being recorded as well.

Some states forbid merchants to record credit or charge card account numbers. Merchants are permitted to simply note whether you have a major credit or charge card as an indicator of your credit worthiness. Exceptions are services like "emergency check cashing," where you have preapproved the use of your card to guarantee your check. Be forewarned, however; merchants may still refuse to accept your check it you refuse to allow them to record your card number.

Sources of information and help..

You may wish to consult the consumer affairs office of the company involved, the Better Business Bureau, or your local or state consumer protection agency; or call or write any of the organizations listed below.

To get a copy of your credit report:

(Unless you have been denied credit, you may be charged a fee for the report.
Equifax Credit Information Services
Wildwood Plaza
7200 Windy Hill Suite 500
Marietta, GA 30067
800-685-1111

Trans Union Consumer Relations
25249 Country Club Blvd.
P.O. Box 7000
North Olmstead, OH 44070
216-779-7200

TRW Consumer Assistance Center
P.O. Box 749029
Dallas, TX 75374-9029
800-392-1122

TRW will give you a free report once each year: TRW Consumer Assistance
P.O. Box 2350
Chatsworth, CA 91313-2350

Local credit bureaus are listed in the yellow pages under "Credit Reporting Agencies" or "Credit Bureaus".

To get a copy of your medical information file:

Medical Information Bureau (MIB)
P.O. Box 105
Essex Station
Boston, MA 02112
617-426-3660

If the originating insurance company believes there is sensitive medical information recorded on your file, the company may require the MIB to send your medical file only to your doctor.

To have your name removed from DMA member mailing and/or telemarketing lists:

Mail Preference Service
Direct Marketing Association
P.O. Box 9008
Farmingdale, NY 11735

or
Telephone Preference Service
Direct Marketing Association
P.O. Box 9015
Farmingdale, NY 11735

If you have information regarding these subjects important to seniors and would like to post it please send me an e-mail.