Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!uunet!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!sol.ctr.columbia.edu!cunixf.cc.columbia.edu!cs.columbia.edu!dupuy From: dupuy@cs.columbia.edu (Alexander Dupuy) Newsgroups: comp.org.eff.talk Subject: Re: TRW Credentials Service Message-ID: Date: 7 Jan 91 19:37:41 GMT References: Sender: news@cs.columbia.edu (The Daily News) Reply-To: dupuy@cs.columbia.edu Distribution: comp.org.eff.talk Organization: Columbia University Computer Science Department Lines: 28 In-Reply-To: jmc@DEC-Lite.Stanford.EDU's message of 7 Jan 91 04:41:21 GMT jmc@DEC-Lite.Stanford.EDU (John McCarthy) writes: > 3. the opportunity to put my financial data into their computer, > to be given only to people to whom I give a "passcode". > > I can quit at any time, e.g. after getting the initial > credit report, which would then have cost me $3.25. The pitch > is that it will help me shop for credit. Actually, they already have your financial data in their computer (where do you think they got your name and address from?) and will release it to anyone who has your signature on a credit application (and pays a fee) or is a competent enough hacker to break the TRW system (this once was reputed not to be too difficult; I don't know about current security). The passcode is simply a way to speed this up, and allow you to shop for credit on the phone, for example. Unless you are shopping for a home mortgage or other major loan, the Credentials service probably isn't worth your money. If you want to see your credit statement, just apply for credit which you know you will be refused (underreport your income if necessary) - when you are turned down, you will be entitled (in most states) to a copy of any credit reports which were used in the credit evaluation. This usually includes TRW, and may include others as well. @alex -- -- inet: dupuy@cs.columbia.edu uucp: ...!rutgers!cs.columbia.edu!dupuy