FTC Amends Free Credit Reports Rule

Did you know that on April 2, 2010, a new amendment to the 2003 Free Annual File Disclosures Rule goes into effect?
This new rule by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) will require new disclosures to help consumers avoid confusing “free” offers – which often attempt to lure you into spending money on credit monitoring or other products or services – with the free credit reports available at anualcreditreport.com, the only authorized “central source” for truly free credit reports.

Highlights of this new rule

Web sites offering free credit reports will be required to provide the following disclosure at the top of each Web page: THIS NOTICE IS REQUIRED BY LAW. Read more at FTC.GOV. You have the right to a free credit report from AnnualCreditReport.com or 877-322-8228, the ONLY authorized source under federal law.

Web site disclosures must also include a button indicating “Take me to the authorized source” with clickable links to www.annualcreditreport.com and FTC.GOV.

For consumers visiting the AnnualCreditReport.com site, the three national credit bureaus – Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion -- will no longer be able to advertise on the home page. Such ads can only appear after the consumer has successfully obtained their free credit report from AnnualCreditReport.com.

Similar disclosures for television and radio advertisements will take effect on September 1, 2010.

What do you think?

Is such a rule necessary to protect consumers?
Should the government stay away from such regulations and let the “buyer beware”?
Have you ever been confused by a “free credit report” advertisement?
Do you agree or disagree with the many State Attorneys General who believe that an AnnualCreditReport.com should be a .gov instead of .com?

Please take the survey on this blog and let me know what you think!

FTC Links:
File a complaint with the FTC
FTC Amends Free Credit Reports Rule To Help Consumers Steer Clear of ‘Free’ Offers that Cost Money
Free Annual Credit Reports

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Make it a great day!

Dustin Mitchell

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