Prevent Identity Theft & Credit Fraud

Here's the letter I send to my client's after we've pulled their credit report.

Privacy Protection & Your Risk of Identity Theft

OPT OUT of receiving telemarketing and mass junk mail and decrease your risk of identity theft.

Included is the opt out information to protect your privacy and decrease the risk of identity theft.  I highly recommend taking a minute to go on line (or call) to complete an opt out form.  You will have your name removed from telemarketing lists at www.optoutprescreen.com or by calling 1-888-567-8688. (note: the opt out takes 5 business days to become effective; the opt out will be effective for five years)

If I'm currently working on a loan for you, I (Melissa Olson of H.O.P.E. Lending LLC) will be your ONLY contact from H.O.P.E. Lending LLC. If you get another call from a company sounding like it is H.O.P.E. Lending LLC, just ask them to submit your name to their "DO NOT CALL LIST" immediately.

Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), the Consumer Credit Reporting Companies are permitted to include your name on lists used by creditors or insurers to make firm offers of credit or insurance. The FCRA also provides you the right to "Opt-Out", which prevents Consumer Credit Reporting Companies from providing your credit file information for firm offers of credit or insurance that are not initiated by you.

Please take the time and PROTECT YOURSELF from your information being sold!

Warm regards,

~Melissa

April 27, 2006 - To: All WAMB Members

Help Protect Your Clients

It has come to the attention of WAMB (Washington Association of Mortgage Brokers) that the four major credit bureaus, Experian, Equifax, Trans Union, and Innovis, are systematically selling lists of recent mortgage inquires. These lists include the names and information about consumers who have had a mortgage credit report pulled within the last 24 hours. The lists are being sold to banks and/or lead generation companies who are using the information to market directly to clients looking for mortgages.

Here's how the marketing works: Consumers' whose names appear on these lists are contacted and informed that their mortgage has been approved. To complete the process they are told that they simply need to provide a little more information and sign some additional documents. WAMB believes consumers are being set up and may suffer the abuse of a bait/switch; In addition, WAMB believes that these practices present a heightened risk for consumer identity theft;

Help your clients avoid this type of risky phone and junk mail.

Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), the Consumer Credit Reporting Companies, are permitted to include your name on lists used by creditors or insurers to make firm offers of credit or insurance. The FCRA also provides you the right to "Opt-Out", which prevents Consumer Credit Reporting Companies from providing your credit file information for firm offers of credit or insurance that are not initiated by you.