Pamela Devata Quoted in Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"Be Aware of 'Specialty' Reports"

Pamela Devata was quoted in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution article, "Be Aware of 'Specialty' Reports," published April 11, 2010. The article reported on the various "specialty" credit reports and background-screening companies that exist. According to the article, most consumers have no clue about the existence of  "specialty" reports—until they've been denied jobs, mortgages, insurance or apartment rentals.

The article illustrated how specialty reports are generated by referencing an FTC ruling in which two prescription drug data collectors were gathering medical prescription history behind the scenes. The FTC ruled that the companies had to comply with the file disclosure requirements of the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Pam mentioned that most companies are complying and the law has a system in place to help consumers. She further noted, "There are checks and balances…. It's just a question if people know about them or not."

The article noted that if an employer, insurance company or lease company turns a consumer down because of a "specialty" report, the consumer has a right to a copy and the right to dispute the report's accuracy or completeness. The company that creates the report has to investigate within 30 days and if there's an error, it must be reported to the source of information, whether that is a court, credit bureau or a background screener. Pam commented, "The idea is that, upstream, it gets corrected…. Then . . . the agency has to revise the report and re-issue it to the consumer and the end-user."