Garbage in, garbage out
Data collection firms have widespread and significant errors in their data, and they make you pay to correct your file.
Everyone knows that credit reports have numerous mistakes.
ChoicePoint is no exception, according to MSNBC, which interviewed a woman who managed to obtain her own ChoicePoint file. The report also found that people don't have any good way to fix their erroneous data.
That's no surprise. Neither is the ironic fact that people have to pay to see their own files and check for errors. If companies that sold other goods worked this way, they would be out of business soon.
Companies which deal in data should make sure that the data they have is as accurate as possible. Yet, the situation is unlikely to get better until there is legislation or until consumers--and not businesses--become .
If any readers have stories about errors--or a lack thereof--in your credit report or other data file, drop me a note.