I thought there was a settlement by Choicepoint regarding this same issue a few years ago. This company also has been before Congress and paid fines for it’s breeches in protectint information it holds. I for one shudder each time I have to give them any information knowing it could be used for other than intended purposes
This group calling themselves the Latin American Agents Association is known for sending junk email and won’t remove your email from their list even if you request it. I have called up, emailed them, nothing works. They are hypocrites, what good for them is not good for Choicepoint. They are a politcal organization and are mad as hell about credit scoring.
You are missing the bigger picture. We have and continue to help many agents nationwide. Would you like to talk to them? We are not a “lip service” type trade group, we are about action that helps us all. And you are Latino?
Sir,
You are a racist group serving a specific race. You would snap if there was the European or Caucasian Agents Association. It time you learn how to assimulute intead of pretending you still live in Latin America (and there are nice places there, but this is America).
Andre,
Why do you continue to insult us Latino as people who cannot achieve high credit scores??? Why do you think we are all farm workers? Why don’t you set example and say ‘our people come from all walks of life and are capable of being responsible to maintain high credit scores.’ Why do you continue to put us in the gutter?
I’m glad someone is trying to bring accountability to Choicepoint. If you have ever called Choicepoint to learn about how to correct errors they have made on an MVR you will learn how horribly aggressive they are. They care nothing about the consumers who have the wrong info added to their credit and driving records. They have careless disregard for the records they hold. They need to be made accountable for their utter disregard. Go LAAA!
Perhaps my comments made earlier are being misunderstood. I do not favor Choicepoint or the credit score procedure. I never heard of the Latin agents group before today and know nothing about them. The earlier case involving a fine was against Choicepoint for collecting information not needed to produce a score while filling their files so they would have more to sell others.
Please take some time to attend our meetings or visit our website our membership and our board of directors is one of the most diversified groups in the country.
We are not only for Latinos, we are here to assist anyone of any race that service them.
If Choicepoint buys mvr data from states, then why do they offer to “correct” the data if it’s wrong? They make mistakes AFTER they receive the data. Additionally, they are not terribly concerned about what happens with the data they have. Apparently, this is what the LAAA found, thus the lawsuit.
Just because they filed suit doesn’t mean they are right. The states just don’t sell good information. It’s like ordering a credit report, if the credit bureau has the wrong information the credit reporting agency is not responsible. Some will work with the individual to correct the report, but they just report what’s given. Why should Choicepoint be sued for the state getting it wrong per their usual.
If you feel CP is great, good for you. In my encounters with them I find them to be rude. In any case, they have gained virtual monopoly status, and as monopoly types go, they tend to abuse others with no regard – that is unless they are brought to task. That’s happened to CP before, and it looks like LAAA is trying to call them to task again.
If you read the document (available via link in article) this is big stuff. Its not about MVR wrong data… its about choicepoint selling info they receive doing work for a third party. They provide data to agents & carriers, charge a fee, and resell the obtain from the agent/carrier to others. I think someone said it best earlier… theft is theft.
When working with a large company like CP, Integrity of their business practices should be everything, thats why people blindly think they can trust them.
Their information security has been compromised to retrieve data by others, personal information has been compromised…. THAT IS WRONG..
They are selling personal data to third parties for profit… THAT IS WORSE.
With all the identity theft, which is bad enough, but a company that sells that information, for their own bottom line, with no regard to the individuals, or the people (agents,brokers,companys) that trust them, is appalling.
I read a response to this story yesterday morning stating that the ultimate winners are the lawyers and suggesting that Choicepoint should party with the Latin Association at one of their meetings in an attempt to resolve their issues. Now it appears that response has been deleted from this website. The comments did not use offensive language nor did it slander anyone. It simply seemed to give an opinion that was unflattering to the Latin Association. Apparently politics and censorship are alive and well at the Insurance Journal.
i am Miguel Rodriguez President of Wizard Insurance Services Inc. and Vice President of the Latin American Agents Association believe that what i am stading up for is in the best interest of my business and for all the insurance agencies in the nation. i work very hard and pay a lot of money to acquired new clients to my agency and to have Choicepoint come right under and take that data and sell it to my competitor for a profit.It’s unethical, unfair and against the privacy act that protects our clients. Enough is Enough……
ps. I think that all brokers out there that want to protect their book of business should contact me or my association and join me on this fight that will protect us all.
Thank you
The Independent Insurance Agents Association (BIG I) reached an agreement with ChoicePoint back in 2002 regarding the same issues. As an Agent – many of the carriers I represent contract with Choicepoint for their services. As I am the one (agent) providing proprietary information to Choicepoint via my insurance carriers I fear I have some exposures and some responsibility regarding the safekeeping of my customers information.
I have asked my carriers to sign an Indemnification Agreement to defend myself against any actions brought against me as a result of the release of my clients information to any third parties.
Choicepoint is being sued because they are an easy target and they have deep pockets. Same reasons why any company is sued. Allegations are just that allegations and it is extremely rare when a pltf can actually produce proof of any wrongdoing. Plus it’s easier for the company to settle than gamble with a jury.
I don’t think that a month goes by where I don’t receive at least one call from ChoicePoint wanting to sell me x-dates that I helped develop! I bring this up and I always get “Oh…we don’t DO that!!”
Sorry Andre. There may or may not be some latinos or anyone else. I just treat everybody the same. As Americans.
Unless they are not.
I thought there was a settlement by Choicepoint regarding this same issue a few years ago. This company also has been before Congress and paid fines for it’s breeches in protectint information it holds. I for one shudder each time I have to give them any information knowing it could be used for other than intended purposes
This group calling themselves the Latin American Agents Association is known for sending junk email and won’t remove your email from their list even if you request it. I have called up, emailed them, nothing works. They are hypocrites, what good for them is not good for Choicepoint. They are a politcal organization and are mad as hell about credit scoring.
american periodical? Why do I care what agents do or don’t do in latin america?
We live in North America.
Whether you like or not sir, America is all races or colors, don’t be so short sited. Check your own book of business, are there any Latinos in there?
You are missing the bigger picture. We have and continue to help many agents nationwide. Would you like to talk to them? We are not a “lip service” type trade group, we are about action that helps us all. And you are Latino?
Sir,
You are a racist group serving a specific race. You would snap if there was the European or Caucasian Agents Association. It time you learn how to assimulute intead of pretending you still live in Latin America (and there are nice places there, but this is America).
Andre,
Why do you continue to insult us Latino as people who cannot achieve high credit scores??? Why do you think we are all farm workers? Why don’t you set example and say ‘our people come from all walks of life and are capable of being responsible to maintain high credit scores.’ Why do you continue to put us in the gutter?
I’m glad someone is trying to bring accountability to Choicepoint. If you have ever called Choicepoint to learn about how to correct errors they have made on an MVR you will learn how horribly aggressive they are. They care nothing about the consumers who have the wrong info added to their credit and driving records. They have careless disregard for the records they hold. They need to be made accountable for their utter disregard. Go LAAA!
Perhaps my comments made earlier are being misunderstood. I do not favor Choicepoint or the credit score procedure. I never heard of the Latin agents group before today and know nothing about them. The earlier case involving a fine was against Choicepoint for collecting information not needed to produce a score while filling their files so they would have more to sell others.
Jorge,
Please take some time to attend our meetings or visit our website our membership and our board of directors is one of the most diversified groups in the country.
We are not only for Latinos, we are here to assist anyone of any race that service them.
Go get’em.. Theft is theft!
ha. CP only buys mvrs from the states. the state has it wrong, not them. ha
If Choicepoint buys mvr data from states, then why do they offer to “correct” the data if it’s wrong? They make mistakes AFTER they receive the data. Additionally, they are not terribly concerned about what happens with the data they have. Apparently, this is what the LAAA found, thus the lawsuit.
Just because they filed suit doesn’t mean they are right. The states just don’t sell good information. It’s like ordering a credit report, if the credit bureau has the wrong information the credit reporting agency is not responsible. Some will work with the individual to correct the report, but they just report what’s given. Why should Choicepoint be sued for the state getting it wrong per their usual.
Don’t you just hate when people get impatient and hit the post comment button twice?
If you feel CP is great, good for you. In my encounters with them I find them to be rude. In any case, they have gained virtual monopoly status, and as monopoly types go, they tend to abuse others with no regard – that is unless they are brought to task. That’s happened to CP before, and it looks like LAAA is trying to call them to task again.
Ok, so they are rude. That doesn’t constitute a crime, except in Massechusetts driving a car.
If you read the document (available via link in article) this is big stuff. Its not about MVR wrong data… its about choicepoint selling info they receive doing work for a third party. They provide data to agents & carriers, charge a fee, and resell the obtain from the agent/carrier to others. I think someone said it best earlier… theft is theft.
When working with a large company like CP, Integrity of their business practices should be everything, thats why people blindly think they can trust them.
Their information security has been compromised to retrieve data by others, personal information has been compromised…. THAT IS WRONG..
They are selling personal data to third parties for profit… THAT IS WORSE.
With all the identity theft, which is bad enough, but a company that sells that information, for their own bottom line, with no regard to the individuals, or the people (agents,brokers,companys) that trust them, is appalling.
FOLLOW-UP (Please Read if you have not already)
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6979897/
http://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2005/02/choicepoint.html
http://www.privacyrights.org/ar/CPResponse.htm
I read a response to this story yesterday morning stating that the ultimate winners are the lawyers and suggesting that Choicepoint should party with the Latin Association at one of their meetings in an attempt to resolve their issues. Now it appears that response has been deleted from this website. The comments did not use offensive language nor did it slander anyone. It simply seemed to give an opinion that was unflattering to the Latin Association. Apparently politics and censorship are alive and well at the Insurance Journal.
i am Miguel Rodriguez President of Wizard Insurance Services Inc. and Vice President of the Latin American Agents Association believe that what i am stading up for is in the best interest of my business and for all the insurance agencies in the nation. i work very hard and pay a lot of money to acquired new clients to my agency and to have Choicepoint come right under and take that data and sell it to my competitor for a profit.It’s unethical, unfair and against the privacy act that protects our clients. Enough is Enough……
ps. I think that all brokers out there that want to protect their book of business should contact me or my association and join me on this fight that will protect us all.
Thank you
The Independent Insurance Agents Association (BIG I) reached an agreement with ChoicePoint back in 2002 regarding the same issues. As an Agent – many of the carriers I represent contract with Choicepoint for their services. As I am the one (agent) providing proprietary information to Choicepoint via my insurance carriers I fear I have some exposures and some responsibility regarding the safekeeping of my customers information.
I have asked my carriers to sign an Indemnification Agreement to defend myself against any actions brought against me as a result of the release of my clients information to any third parties.
Choicepoint is being sued because they are an easy target and they have deep pockets. Same reasons why any company is sued. Allegations are just that allegations and it is extremely rare when a pltf can actually produce proof of any wrongdoing. Plus it’s easier for the company to settle than gamble with a jury.
Have none of you customers come into you offices days after they have bought a policy with you with an offer or 2 or 3, to switch to another carrier.
Do you really think that it is coincidence.
There are only so many ways for your clien information to get out.
1. The agent itself, and i doubt many of us give our customer information to anyone.
2. The carrier, just as the agent they want to keep that customer and are not likely to let that data get out.
3. The MVR Report, i doubt that the state is selling data to third parties.
4. The clue report, now thats more likely as we know Choicepoint is the biggest supplier of CLUE, and and leads, etc..
I as many of you get calls from their representatives offering their marketing services, where are those being contacted coming from.
You GO, ED!!
I don’t think that a month goes by where I don’t receive at least one call from ChoicePoint wanting to sell me x-dates that I helped develop! I bring this up and I always get “Oh…we don’t DO that!!”
Riiiiiight!!
Keep up the good work, LAAA!