| HSBC Survey: Consumers Slow to Seek Free Credit Reports, Despite ...
(CSRwire) PROSPECT HEIGHTS, Ill. - A new survey by HSBC - North America finds that while 82 percent of consumers fear identity theft, only four in 10 have taken advantage of the recent law - the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACT Act) - that gives consumers free access annually to their credit reports to check for errors. Checking credit reports regularly can help consumers detect identity theft, which, according to the Federal Trade Commission, has struck 27.3 million Americans in the past five years. It's also an opportunity for consumers to understand their credit status, see how their financial decisions impact their credit standing and assess their progress toward achieving financial goals. "Knowing your credit history represents the first step toward understanding and managing your financial well-being," says Loretta Abrams, vice president of community development and consumer advocacy at HSBC - North America.
Experian offers credit freeze facility from November 1
Consumer credit reporting bureau Experian has announced that it will be offering its customers in 50 states and the District of Columbia, the chance to freeze their credit histories starting November 1. Experian is the second firm after TransUnion to offer consumers the option of freezing their credit histories. By freezing histories, consumers can block access to their reports by new creditors. The company said that it would be charging $10 every time a consumer wants to freeze his/her history temporarily or permanently. "It will be one option among a broad range of fraud-assistance tools we already provide to consumers so that they may make the choice best suited to their situation," said Kerry Williams, group president of credit services and decision analytics business at Experian. "Now that a national model for file freezing has emerged, Experian is offering this option to help prevent consumer confusion." TransUnion was the first company to offer this option, which will come into effect starting October 15.
New faces delight Colorado caucus organizers
Coloradans attending caucuses will take a "preference poll," indicating which presidential candidates they support. The idea of a record turnout is hard to fathom for Wes Skiles, a precinct leader in Arapahoe County for several years. "In 2000 we had three people attend - and I was one of them," he said. Democrat Carolyn Boller, a state Democratic Party office and a precinct leader in Aurora for years, knows the feeling. "People are excited this year, but the process of trying to explain to them how this works is another matter. It can be confusing," she said. Colorado traditionally participated in the presidential selection process in March and often the nominees were already known by then. Not this time, which is why campaigns are working so feverishly to make sure their candidate wins on Feb.
Shootings show need for sensible gun control laws
Now I do think some heavy weapons should be outlawed for instance men should not be able to ever get weapons like ak47's or a 50 cal sniper. Honestly we don't need these weapons in the hands of civilians and i'm not saying they are. just as an example weapons of that caliber don't need to be in our control. " .
Africa: Around the Continent by Road
From Cape Town-around Africa-to Cape Town, in less than a year. This is the mission, with which they hit the road, bearing a banner of unity, communication and shared development for all of Africa. On April 15, this year, Johan Botha, Elizabeth Cloete, Rosie and Joseph Jovani set out from South Africa in a Toyota Fortuner, a heavy-duty off-road 2006 model, to traverse the continent. Purpose? To put pressure on the UN so it can campaign for G8 funding to Africa that hardly ever materialises. .
Glenn Greenwald
The e-mail flood started out we caught you guys, we never did trust you. That kind of thing. I think it is a very interesting dynamic. I saw middle-aged women just throw their arms around Barack Obama, kiss him hard on the cheek and say, you know, I'm with you, good luck. And i think he feels it, too.Dana Milbank, The Washington Post:ABOARD THE STRAIGHT TALK EXPRESS, Jan. 7 For the moment, at least, the John McCain of yore has returned. . . . Ladies and gentlemen, John McCain is back. Left for dead when his campaign ran out of cash last summer, he returned to his endless town hall meetings and freewheeling talks on his campaign bus . . . Revived along with McCain's spirits: A level of "straight talk" bordering on the masochistic. . . . Mac is Back . . . . Perhaps as important, McCain has learned a small degree of restraint.
Secret Government plan will see offenders given shorter sentences for ...
Last night the Conservatives dubbed the scheme a "get out of jail free" card and said it was a desperate bid to slash the prison population. Shadow Justice Minister Edward Garnier said: "The Government has made a mockery of parliamentary democracy by ramming ill-considered new criminal justice laws through the House of Commons without a vote. "I fail to see how time spent at home drinking and taking drugs can be classed as incarceration." Shadow Justice Secretary Nick Herbert said: "Far from being tough on crime and on the causes of crime, Jack Straw is giving criminals a break." Over the past ten years, the Government has been forced into emergency measures, including releasing thousands of inmates early, to cope with overflowing jails.
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