General Questions Payment/Delivery Options All About Credit Reports All About Credit Scores
General Questions
How secure is the Identity Track Web Site? What is the Fair Credit Reporting Act? What is your Privacy Notice? How do I contact Customer Service? What should I do if I am a victim of identity theft? What is the Consumer Fraud Resource Center? What is the Federal Trade Commission? Why is ID theft insurance coverage no longer available in NY? Which Insurance Company provides ID Theft coverage for Identity Track? Will the credit monitoring service provide ID Theft insurance to NY residents through another insurance company? Can I purchase ID Theft Insurance directly from an Insurance Company on my own? Can I get ID Theft Insurance from other Credit and Identity Theft management companies? If I work in NY, but I live in a different state, am I still covered? Am I covered if I move to New York from another state? Since I’m not getting insurance coverage, will my monthly service fee be lower? Can I get a refund? Where can I get more information regarding insurance regulation in New York?
How secure is the Identity Track Web site?
Our web site uses the most advanced encryption technology available: 128-bit encrypted Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) keeps your personal information, including credit card number, secure from unauthorized access. Netscape 4.0 and higher, Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 or higher, and most frame-enabled browsers support SSL. When you begin a transaction, the rest of your visit will take place on our secure server. You will see a small key or padlock in the bottom right corner of your browser if you are using Netscape or Microsoft browsers, indicating that your transaction is secure.
To further ensure that your privacy is protected, Intersections Inc. has engaged TruSecure Corporation, a nationally recognized security firm, to conduct a security audit known as a Web Certification. According to the Perimeter Risk Assessment results, Intersections Inc has a "solid security posture".
Intersections Inc. complies with the requirements of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and is in compliance with the processing, privacy and security requirements of the national credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion).
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What is the Fair Credit Reporting Act?
The federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) promotes the accuracy, fairness and privacy of information in the files of consumer reporting agencies. There are many types of consumer reporting agencies, including credit bureaus that gather and sell information about your creditworthiness to creditors, employers, landlords, and other businesses.
The FCRA gives consumers specific rights which are summarized below. You may have additional rights under state law.
For more information, visit www.ftc.gov/credit, or write to: Consumer Response Center, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20580.
What is Your Privacy Notice?
Please click here to view the complete Privacy Notice.
How do I contact customer service?
What should I do if I am a victim of identity theft?
What is the Consumer Fraud Resource Center?
Consumer Fraud Specialists are your powerful allies after a fraud or identity theft attack. They walk you through all the steps required to restore your credit and will:
What is the Federal Trade Commission?
The Federal Trade (FTC) commission enforces a variety of federal antitrust and consumer protection laws, including the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act, the law that regulates consumer-reporting agencies, those who use credit reports, and those who furnish information to consumer reporting agencies. The FTC ensures that all three parties (consumers, consumer reporting agencies, and lenders) are treated in a fair and equitable manner.
The FTC's mission is to help the nation's markets function competitively and efficiently, unhampered by needless restrictions. It works to spotlight and eliminate acts or practices that are unfair or deceptive. In general, the FTC tries to stop actions that threaten consumers' opportunities to exercise informed choice. It also performs economic analyses, when asked, to support its law enforcement efforts and to contribute to the policy as set forth by Congress, the Executive Branch, other independent agencies, and state and local governments. In addition to carrying out its statutory enforcement responsibilities, the FTC advances the policies underlying Congressional mandates through cost-effective non-enforcement activities, such as consumer education.
Why is ID theft insurance coverage no longer available in NY?
The NY Insurance commission has issued a number of regulatory statements prompting major insurance companies to eliminate coverage to New York residents.
Which Insurance Company provides ID Theft coverage for Identity Track?
Travelers Casualty and Surety Company of America.
Will the credit monitoring service provide ID Theft insurance to NY residents through another insurance company?
Due to limitations of the NY state insurance regulations, major insurance companies have stopped offering Identity Theft insurance in New York. We will make every effort to find a replacement insurance provider if one becomes available and as permitted under New York State law.
Can I purchase ID Theft Insurance directly from an Insurance Company on my own?
Check with your homeowners insurance company. Many insurance companies who provide homeowners insurance include ID Theft coverage as an option with homeowners policies.
Can I get ID Theft Insurance from other Credit and Identity Theft management companies?
We are not aware of other companies’ policies regarding Identity Theft Insurance in New York.
If I work in NY, but I live in a different state, am I still covered?
Yes. You are only ineligible for insurance coverage if you place of residence is in NY.
Am I covered if I move to New York from another state?
No. Once you move and change your residence to a NY address, you are no longer eligible for coverage.
Since I’m not getting insurance coverage, will my monthly service fee be lower?
No. ID Theft Insurance is offered at no additional charge with your credit monitoring service, so your service fee will remain the same.
Can I get a refund?
No. Since you are not charged for this feature, we are not providing refunds. Remember, you still have access to all the other valuable service features that come with your Identity Track service offering. Product features include a credit report, daily monitoring alerts, Credit Education Specialists, support from our Identity Theft Recovery agents. You may cancel at any time and you will not be charged any additional fees.
Where can I get more information regarding insurance regulation in New York?
Website for the New York State Insurance Department: http://www.ins.state.ny.us/ Website for the New York State Assembly http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/
Payment/Delivery Options
What are my delivery options?
All members registered on the Web site have the choice of delivery via e-mail or regular mail, plus the added feature of choosing either a text-enabled cellular phone or pager.
If you provided your e-mail address during enrollment, you will automatically begin receiving service to your e-mail account. If you have not provided your e-mail address, your method of delivery will be to your postal address on file.
How do I change delivery methods?
You can change your delivery options at any time. Once you have logged on to the Web site, you have the option of choosing either mail or e-mail in addition to selecting notification via text-enabled cellular phone or pager. To change the method of delivery of your products, access the Account Information menu item above.
Why am I not receiving my e-mail notifications?
You may not be receiving your e-mail notifications for one of the following reasons:
How do I update my mailing address or e-mail address?
Contact our Credit Education Specialists directly at 1-866-467-2366 to change your mailing address. You can change your e-mail address by accessing the Account Information menu item on the Identity TrackSM web site, https://www.identitytrack.com/members.
How do I change payment methods?
To change your method of payment, contact our Credit Education Specialists directly at 1-866-467-2366.
All About Credit Reports
What is a credit bureau?
Credit bureaus, or credit reporting agencies, are basically clearinghouses for information about consumers' credit. When you apply for credit, they provide this information to qualified requestors. There are three main credit bureaus: Equifax, based in Atlanta, Georgia; Experian, based in Allen, Texas; and TransUnion, based in Springfield, Pennsylvania.
How do the credit bureaus obtain information?
Credit bureaus collect information from banks, savings and loans, credit unions, finance companies, and retailers about your credit, which they store in a computer database.
Do all three credit bureaus have the same information on file?
No, because lenders send information to some and not others. Credit bureaus receive more than two billion pieces of data each month, so it's a given that mistakes are going to happen. (An independent study by Arthur Andersen, however, showed that only one-fifth of 1 percent of these errors led to someone being denied credit.)
Credit reports are available from three main reporting agencies: Equifax, Experian, and Trans-Union, and these "big three" do not exchange information with each other. Therefore each of them may have different information, depending on who and what was reported to them. What is on one report may differ from another.
Who can look at my credit report?
The Fair Credit Reporting Act stipulates that lenders to whom a consumer has applied for a loan can view credit reports — for example, credit card companies and financial institutions supplying auto loans and mortgages. But the list continues: landlords, utility companies, phone companies, hospitals, doctors, dentists, insurance companies, credit unions, finance companies, banks, retailers, department stores, credit card companies, car dealers, mortgagers, investigators, lawyers, courts — most anyone who can give the bureaus just cause can view your credit report.
How long does information stay in my credit report?
Public records and collection items stay on your report for seven years with the exception of bankruptcies, which stay on for ten years. Unpaid tax liens remain for 15 years. Positive information remains indefinitely, although agencies can remove it after seven years. Inquiries remain for two years.
At what age do credit-reporting agencies start recording a person's credit history?
At 18 years of age, your credit is compiled and reported to the credit reporting agencies.
Why should I check my credit report?
Just as you have medical and dental check-ups periodically, so should you check your credit report. Knowing what's in your credit report arms you with the information you need — your credit standing — when trying to secure favorable rates for a mortgage or other loan. Also, if you regularly check your credit report, you can guard against identity theft, one of the fastest-growing federal crime in the nation.
How often should I check my credit report?
With the explosive growth of identity theft, experts recommend checking your credit report as routinely as you check the weather. That way, when there's a change you don't recognize, you can take steps to halt what could be illegal pilfering of your personal information.
How do I dispute inaccurate information?
Immediately contact the credit bureau that reported the inaccurate information (be sure to keep records of all correspondence, phone calls or emails). The bureau will then check with the original source. If this inaccuracy persists, add a statement to the credit report specifying why the item is wrong. This dispute process can take up to 30 days.
What is a Public Record?
Information on tax liens, lawsuits, bankruptcies and judgments that relate to the consumer's debt obligations. Most public record items are listed for seven years including successfully completed Chapter 13 bankruptcies. Other bankruptcies are listed for 10 years. Tax liens are listed for seven years from the date paid.
What are Collection Items?
Collection items are accounts sent to a collection agency, which are listed in your credit report for seven years from the date the account was 180 days delinquent with the original creditor.
What are inquiries?
Companies that have requested your credit file within the past two years. Companies that inquire for marketing purposes do not affect your credit rating.
How long does it take for a closed account to be removed from my credit file?
The file will be updated in 30 to 60 days, but reportable information stays on seven years from date of the last activity.
Are there sample letters available to me to address credit disputes or identity theft?
We created sample dispute letters to make your dispute process easier. Simply click on the links below, customize each letter with your personal information, print and mail.
Sample Credit Dispute Letter Sample Letter to Credit Issuer Sample Letter to Police Department Sample Identity Theft Letter
All About Credit Scores
What is a credit score?
A credit score, calculated from variables in your credit report and other factors determined by the lending institution, is a rating tool used by lenders to gauge an individual's creditworthiness.
What if I do not receive a credit score?
A credit score can't be generated if there's no information in a credit report, so individuals with little or no credit history will generally not have a score. To remedy this situation, consider applying for a retail, gas or secured credit card to establish credit. Then keep your debt low and pay your bills on time to establish your credit history on a positive note.
What is the credit score range?
Credit scores range from 350 to 850 — a higher number represents a stronger financial position.
How does my credit score affect me?
Credit scores, calculated from such information in your credit file as total debt, types of accounts, number of late payments, age of accounts, and number of inquiries, give lenders a subjective rating of your creditworthiness. Lenders then consider this rating when deciding whether or not to extend you credit. It's in your best interest, therefore, to keep your credit as robust as possible so you can secure favorable rates and terms. If your credit score is weak, you can often strengthen it by minimizing outstanding debt, avoiding overextension, and limiting new credit applications.
How often does my credit score change?
Your credit score fluctuates as often as information in your credit file changes.
Do late payments affect my credit score?
Yes, late payments negatively affect your score — paying your bills on time is the single most important contributor to a good credit score.
Do inquiries affect my credit score?
It depends on the type of inquiry. Inquiries for marketing purposes do not affect your score. These include consumer requests for a credit report, lenders using credit information to review an account, or a potential employer looking over someone's credit. Inquiries initiated by the consumer, such as mortgage, auto loan and credit card applications, however, do affect your score because studies have shown that too many are a red flag for credit risk. Inquiries do not weigh as heavily, however, as past payment history or number of delinquent accounts.
Does co-signing a loan affect my credit score?
Yes. Any loan or credit card account affects your score.
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