Elizabeth Richardson wrote on [Thu, 24 Jan 2008 11:19:12 -0600]:
- quote -

Ever filled out a free sweepstkes entry? taken a survey? Any number of
things

I think it's a matter of technicalities on this one. The Fair Credit
Reporting Act (FCRA) is the relevant legal body for what credit
agencies can and cannot do.

My limited understanding of the act is that an actual "credit check"
cannot be done without prior approval. As was mentioned elsewhere,
approval is often buried in CC agreements, bank disclosures, and
employment contracts. Subsidiaries of companies that you have given
approval to can also access your credit info.

However, there is a loophole that makes it perfectly legal to engage
in the activities the OP was referring to (which is not actually a
"credit check"). The marketing companies (like AMEX) don't actually
obtain your credit score, SSN, deliquencies, etc and therefore do not
actually perform a "credit check". They just get a broad list of, say,
"everyone in experion's database that has a credit score over 600".
Because the data is "en masse" and not specifically invasive, it is
not a violation of the FCRA. That's also the reason that a real credit
check is run if you fill out and return one of those pre-approval
offers (you give written approval when you apply). If they had already
obtained all of your credit info, why would they need to run another
check?

"Chris Cowles" <NoSpam[at]ForMe.Net> wrote in message
news:WbUlj.5760$1f.5270[at]bignews9.bellsouth.net...
- quote -


Well, the OP says it is AMEX checking, that he has never done business with
AMEX, and never intends to do so. If that is the case, I doubt very
seriously that AMEX has his signature somewhere approving credit checks.

Elizabeth Richardson

"Elizabeth Richardson" <erichktn[at]worldnet.att.net> wrote in message
news:c1Tlj.481788$kj1.74721[at]bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net...

- quote -

That consent is often buried in something you signed somewhere.
--
Chris Cowles
Gainesville, FL

In article <c1Tlj.481788$kj1.74721[at]bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net> ,
"Elizabeth Richardson" <erichktn[at]worldnet.att.net> wrote:

- quote -

I was under the impression that a company that wants to market to a
given consumer can check their credit an unlimited number of times.
Those types of inquiries do not count against the consumer. The
consumer has the option of marking their credit record (at the big
three databases) such that it does not allow marketing credit checks.
I have done that, and I haven't gotten a credit card offer in the
mail in years (other than from companies that I already have accounts
with to get more cards).

-john-

--
================================================== ====================
John A. Weeks III * * * * * 612-720-2854 * * * * * *john[at]johnweeks.com
Newave Communications * * * * * * * * * * * * http://www.johnweeks.com
================================================== ====================

"John A. Weeks III" <john[at]johnweeks.com> wrote in message
news:john-275167.18261423012008[at]sn-

- quote -

Here in Alaska, it is illegal to check credit without the written consent of
the borrower. Of course, that law is violated everyday, but federal law
allowing such practice?

Elizabeth Richardson

In article <bkOlj.160599$MJ6.22568[at]bgtnsc05-news.ops.worldnet.att.net> ,
"Gil Faver" <rowdy'sboss[at]xxyz.com> wrote:

- quote -

Federal law?

-john-

--
================================================== ====================
John A. Weeks III * * * * * 612-720-2854 * * * * * *john[at]johnweeks.com
Newave Communications * * * * * * * * * * * * http://www.johnweeks.com
================================================== ====================

I checked again (annulacreditreport.com) my credit report to make sure there
is nothing funny going on. There isn't.

However, there is a list of companies who have taken a look at my credit
report. The key said something like "these companies have a legal right to
look, but the fact they made an inquiry won't be told to others". Or some
such language. I recognize most of these companies, like my credit card
company undoubtedly doing a periodic check to see that I have not turned
into a deadbeat.

But, AMEX has been looking frequently, like every month. I don't have an
AMEX card, I don't want and AMEX card. I keep throwing away their junk mail
(sometimes three in a single day).

What gives AMEX the right to check my credit history?