Your Credit Report

Are you aware that your credit history and other personal information may affect your ability to buy health, disability, and life insurance?

I'm Shirley Rooker, director of WTOP radio's Call For Action for the Federal Trade Commission.

Thanks to a recent rule by the Federal Trade Commission, all insurance companies that are members of the Medical Information Bureau have to inform you if a credit report or other data, such as your driving record, criminal activity, and medical condition played any part in your being denied coverage or charged a higher rate.

If it happens to you, the insurance company must give you the name and address of the consumer-reporting agency that provided the report, and you are entitled to get a free copy from the agency within 30 days.

If you believe information in the report is inaccurate, you have the right to challenge the information and ask that it be investigated, and you are entitled to an explanation of the findings.

I'm Shirley Rooker, director of WTOP radio's Call For Action for the Federal Trade Commission.

January 2002