Written by Ed Muller Wednesday, 18 November 2009 09:16
FTC Seeks Comments on Proposals to Amend 'Free Credit Report' Rule
The Federal Trade Commission is seeking public comment on proposed amendments to the Free Annual File Disclosures Rule, also known as the "Free Credit Report Rule."
The Credit CARD Act of 2009 requires the Commission to issue a rule by February 22, 2010, to prevent deceptive marketing of “free credit reports.” Specifically, the Act requires that certain advertisements for include prominent disclosures designed to prevent consumers from confusing them with the federally mandated free annual credit reports.
For example, for any Internet site offering free credit reports, the Commission proposes a requirement that, before the consumer may obtain a credit report from that Web site, suchsite must first display a separate landing page with the required disclosure:
“This is not the free credit report provided for by Federal law. To get your free report, visit AnnualCreditReport.com or call 877-322-8228.”
In addition, the Commission is proposing to amend the Free Annual File Disclosures Rule to restrict practices that may confuse or mislead consumers as they attempt to obtain their free credit reports. The Commission proposes to amend the Rule by delaying such advertising until after consumers obtain their free annual credit reports, and by requiring other measures.
The full original content is here: http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/10/freecredit.shtm
The Federal Trade Commission is seeking public comment on proposed amendments to the Free Annual File Disclosures Rule, also known as the "Free Credit Report Rule."
The Credit CARD Act of 2009 requires the Commission to issue a rule by February 22, 2010, to prevent deceptive marketing of “free credit reports.” Specifically, the Act requires that certain advertisements for include prominent disclosures designed to prevent consumers from confusing them with the federally mandated free annual credit reports.
For example, for any Internet site offering free credit reports, the Commission proposes a requirement that, before the consumer may obtain a credit report from that Web site, suchsite must first display a separate landing page with the required disclosure:
“This is not the free credit report provided for by Federal law. To get your free report, visit AnnualCreditReport.com or call 877-322-8228.”
In addition, the Commission is proposing to amend the Free Annual File Disclosures Rule to restrict practices that may confuse or mislead consumers as they attempt to obtain their free credit reports. The Commission proposes to amend the Rule by delaying such advertising until after consumers obtain their free annual credit reports, and by requiring other measures.
The full original content is here: http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/10/freecredit.shtm
This will have a direct impact on domain holders who sell advertising or PPC for Credit Reports quite dramatically. A massive shift in payouts will drive the value of such terms deep underground for quite some time (until someone figures out a better way to do the same thing). Our recommendation is to sell ahead of the wave, while the strength in these terms is still exceptionally high.
