Sunday, December 22, 2024

ChoicePoint Discontinues Sale of Certain Info Products

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ChoicePoint Chairman and CEO Derek V. Smith announced that the company will discontinue the sale of information products that contain sensitive consumer data.

This includes social security and driver’s license numbers, except where there is a specific consumer driven transaction or benefit, or where the products support federal, state or local government and criminal justice purposes.

“These changes are a direct result of the recent fraud activity, our review over the past few weeks of our experience and products, and the response of consumers who have made it clear to us that they do not approve of sensitive personal data being used without a direct benefit to them,” said Smith. “We apologize again to those consumers that may be affected by the fraudulent activity. We remain committed to helping them take active steps to protect their personal data and to assisting law enforcement officials who are investigating the attacks on consumer’s identities.”

ChoicePoint will continue to serve most of its core markets and customers, but these actions will have an impact on the scope of products offered to some customers and the availability of information products in certain market segments, particularly small businesses. The transition will begin immediately and is expected to be substantially completed within 90 days.

The remaining ChoicePoint products and services that contain sensitive personal information will meet one of three tests:

  • Support consumer driven transactions where the data is needed to complete or maintain relationships such as insurance, employment, and tenant screening or to provide access to their own data;
  • Provide authentication or fraud prevention tools to large, accredited corporate customers where consumers have existing relationships. For example, information tools for identity verification, customer enrollment, and insurance claims; or
  • Assist federal, state and local government and criminal justice agencies in their important missions.
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