CT AG Blumenthal Calls on Credit Reporting Bureaus to Explain Reports of “V.I.P.” Lists

Monday, May 16, 2011


(Washington, DC) – Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) today wrote to the heads of the three major credit reporting bureaus – Equifax Inc., Experian, and TransUnion – to call on them to respond to recent reports that they maintain V.I.P. member lists, in which errors and disputes are resolved faster and with more attention than other consumers.

“I am deeply troubled by the implication that your companies are neglecting the majority of consumers and providing preferential treatment for wealthy, famous, or well-connected persons, and I ask you to confirm or deny these reports and provide more information on your dispute resolution process,” writes Blumenthal in the letter. “An error-free credit report is vital to a consumer’s financial health, and consumers must be able to quickly resolve disputes and mistakes with the cooperation of the credit reporting bureau. Every consumer deserves this cooperation, not just the rich and powerful.”

In the letter, Blumenthal also calls on the bureau executives to answer a number of questions, such as describing their process for resolving consumer disputes, how services offered to those on any existing V.I.P. lists differ from the services offered to the majority of consumers, how the companies may determine whether a consumer should receive preferential treatment, and whether consumers are aware of placement on such a list.

The text of the letter follows:

Read on.