The Frenzied World Of Companies Collecting Consumers' Financial Histories

Many consumers believe that if you pay your bills on time, keep your (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion) credit reports accurate, and keep your credit scores high, then all is well. Not necessarily. There are many more companies that track and collect data about consumers financial history.

Chances are, you haven't heard of their names. The Washington Post reported:

"But little attention has been paid to the firms that target consumers outside the mainstream financial system. Often they are students, immigrants or low-income consumers who do not qualify for traditional loans or choose not to use them... they carry particular weight for the estimated 30 million people who live on the margins of the banking system."

Who are some of the smaller firms? Some of them this blog has covered: ChoicePoint, Innovis, RapLeaf, Quantcast, First Data, Acxiom, Intelius, US Search, and Spokeo. Some are data brokers. Some collect website visitation statistics. Others focus on finance or insurance. Some are technology vendors working with ISPs. A prior blog post discussed the variety of brands of credit scores. Some other firms' names you may not have heard about:

"LexisNexis, whose parent company bought ChoicePoint three years ago, handles background checks, tax assessments and criminal histories. Bounced checks can be tracked through Chex Systems, TeleCheck or SCAN. Payday lenders report to a company called Teletrack. Alliant Data compiles information on so-called “installment payments,” industry jargon for recurring monthly fees such as gym memberships. The National Communications, Telecom and Utilities Exchange collects account information for 63 of that industry’s largest firms..."

The accuracy of the information collected by these firms is suspect:

"Arkansas resident Catherine Taylor didn’t learn about the fourth bureau until she was denied a job at her local Red Cross several years ago. Her rejection letter came with a copy of her file at a firm called ChoicePoint that detailed criminal charges for the intent to sell and manufacture methamphetamines. The information was incorrect... Taylor said she has identified at least 10 companies selling reports with the inaccurate personal and financial information, wrecking her credit history so badly that she says she cannot qualify to purchase a dishwasher at Lowe’s. Taylor must apply for loans under her husband’s name and has retained an attorney to force the firms to correct the record..."

And all of these firms do not include social networking websites, advertising networks, and mobile device marketers -- all collect information and profiles about consumers.

Given the long list of companies across several industries collecting consumers' personal information, you could call this a feeding frenzy.

Comments

[Heather]

It is hard enough to keep your credit score in good standing with the 3 major credit bureaus. Add a bunch of unregulated firms and credit reports are really going to be a mess.

http://repaircreditfast.info

[George]

Heather:
Please explain or say more about what you mean by "a bunch of unregulated firms." Are you referring to the second tier of credit reporting agencies, like Innovis? Thanks,

George
Editor
http://ivebeenmugged.typepad.com

[Bobby Flan]

It's kinda scary to think that these companies rule over everyone and their ability to get hired or obtain a loan. Where do they get their information from? Don't ruin your credit!