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demented_kitteh

Is Experian Letting Anyone Access Your Credit Freeze PIN?

By 9.21.17 — Updated: 9.22.17

UPDATE: Experian tells Consumerist that its authentication processes go farther than previously identified steps. The company regularly reviews its security practices and adjusts as needed.

Placing a credit freeze on your accounts following a hack or issue with identity theft is only effective if the credit reporting agency you’re working with doesn’t give ne’er-do-wells the ability to unfreeze the accounts by providing the same information that any good ID thief already knows about you. This is a lesson some victims of Equifax’s recent data breach are learning after freezing their accounts with fellow credit reporting agency Experian.  [More]

Eric Norris

In Wake Of Equifax Hack, New York Wants Assurances From Experian, TransUnion

By 9.19.17

The Equifax data breach compromised personal information for some 143 million Americans, but there are still two other major credit bureaus — Experian and TransUnion — whose digital vaults are filled with the same sensitive info. New York’s top prosecutor is now asking these companies to explain how they won’t be the next source of a massive consumer data leak.  [More]

Two Equifax Execs Exit Company Following Massive Data Breach

Two Equifax Execs Exit Company Following Massive Data Breach

By 9.18.17

The full extent of Equifax’s recently revealed, massive data breach isn’t known yet — although 143 million US customers and tens of millions of others globally are thought to be affected — but top executives are already having to answer for the debacle, with two Equifax officers making a sudden exit. [More]

Ludovic Bertron

Congressional Efforts To Remove Protections For Prepaid Debit Cards Fall Short

By 5.11.17

The window of opportunity has closed for legislative efforts to prevent new consumer protections from going into effect.  [More]

DoorFrame

Senators Officially Introduce Resolution To Reverse ISP Privacy Rule

By 3.8.17 — Updated: 5.10.17

Back in October, the Federal Communications Commission adopted a rule limiting what ISPs can or can’t do with your personal data. As expected, lawmakers are now attempting to overturn this new rule through use of the Congressional Review Act. [More]

Mike Mozart

Lawmakers Urge In-Depth Review Of Santander Bank’s Practices After Discrimination Allegations

By 3.3.17 — Updated: 5.10.17

Santander Bank has faced a number of issues in recent years, from an investigation into its auto loan business to receiving a $10 million fine over alleged illegal overdraft practices. More recently, the company received a failing grade from regulators when it came to its community lending business, prompting lawmakers to condemn the bank’s alleged discrimination and urge federal banking regulators to review the financial institution’s practices. [More]

Patrick Fagen

Congress Trying To Roll Back Consumer Protections For Prepaid Cards

By 2.3.17

Last fall, weeks before the election, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau concluded a three-year process of trying to make prepaid cards less costly. Those new rules, which would improve transparency and curb runaway fees, are set to go into effect later this year, but not if lawmakers on Capitol Hill have their say.  [More]

Credit Bureaus Must Pay $6M, Fix Errors More Quickly Under 31-State Agreement

Credit Bureaus Must Pay $6M, Fix Errors More Quickly Under 31-State Agreement

By 5.21.15

The three largest companies to collect and disseminate credit information for millions of Americans – Experian, Equifax and TransUnion – must significantly change the way they treat disputed information on credit reports as part of a massive multi-state settlement announced this week. [More]

Why Is Big Corn Continuing To Run ‘Corn Sugar’ Ads Even After FDA Denial

Why Is Big Corn Continuing To Run ‘Corn Sugar’ Ads Even After FDA Denial

By 6.8.12

UPDATE: The Corn Refiners Association has issued a statement to Consumerist. It has been added to the bottom of the post. [More]

Banks Shutting Down Branches In Poorer Hoods While Opening In Richer

Banks Shutting Down Branches In Poorer Hoods While Opening In Richer

By Ben Popken 2.28.11

The New York Times combed through the data and found that when the banks close branches, they’re doing it in poorer neighborhoods. And when they open a new branch, it’s more likely to be in a well-off area. While that makes business sense, it could violate the spirit of the Community Reinvestment Act which was passed to curb “redlining,” where lower-income neighborhoods are discriminated against by the financial services industry. [More]