NYS Seal

ASSEMBLY STANDING COMMITTEE ON CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND PROTECTION
ASSEMBLY STANDING COMMITTEE ON BANKS

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

SUBJECT:
The accuracy and use of consumer credit reports

PURPOSE:
To examine whether credit reporting agencies provide an effective process by which consumers can correct inaccuracies in credit reports, how inaccuracies affect consumers' credit scores, employability, and interest rates, and actions the State can take to improve the accuracy of credit reports.

New York City
Friday
April 19, 2013
1 p.m.
Assembly Hearing Room
250 Broadway, Room 1923, 19th Floo

According to a recent Federal Trade Commission (FTC) study on credit report accuracy, as many as one in four consumers may have a "material error" in their reports. The study also found that five percent of Americans might have an error so significant that it would wrongly deny them an extension of credit or require them to pay an unjustifiably high interest rate. The FTC also found that correcting such errors is an arduous, if not impossible, undertaking for even the most vigilant consumers. A consumer's credit report is used in many different and far-reaching ways, including decisions on loan applications, interest rates, and employment. These reports even affect how much a consumer pays for auto insurance. This hearing seeks to solicit input on the accuracy of credit reports and means by which New York State can improve the credit reporting system.

Persons wishing to present pertinent testimony to the Committee at the above hearing should complete and return the enclosed reply form as soon as possible. It is important that the reply form be fully completed and returned so that persons may be notified in the event of emergency postponement or cancellation.

Oral testimony will be limited to 5 minutes' duration. In preparing the order of witnesses, the Committee will attempt to accommodate individual requests to speak at particular times in view of special circumstances. These requests should be made on the attached reply form or communicated to Committee staff as early as possible.

Ten copies of any prepared testimony should be submitted at the hearing registration desk. The Committee would appreciate advance receipt of prepared statements.

In order to further publicize this hearing, please inform interested parties and organizations of the Committee's interest in hearing testimony from all sources.

In order to meet the needs of those who may have a disability, the Assembly, in accordance with its policy of non-discrimination on the basis of disability, as well as the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), has made its facilities and services available to all individuals with disabilities. For individuals with disabilities, accommodations will be provided, upon reasonable request, to afford such individuals access and admission to Assembly facilities and activities.

JEFFREY DINOWITZ
Member of Assembly
Chair
Committee on Consumer Affairs and Protection
ANNETTE M. ROBINSON
Member of Assembly
Chair
Committee on Banks



PUBLIC HEARING REPLY FORM

Persons wishing to present testimony at the public hearing on the accuracy and use of consumer credit reports are requested to complete this reply form as soon as possible and mail, email or fax it to:

Matt Aumand
Committee Assistant
Assembly Committee on Consumer Affairs and Protection
Alfred E. Smith Office Building
80 South Swan St., Floor 22
Albany, New York 12248
Email: aumandm@assembly.state.ny.us
Phone: (518) 455-4355
Fax: (518) 455-7250
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I plan to attend the following public hearing on the accuracy and use of consumer credit reports to be conducted by the Assembly Committee on Consumer Affairs and Protection and Assembly Committee on Banks on Friday, April 19, 2013.
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I plan to make a public statement at the hearing. My statement will be limited to 5 minutes, and I will answer any questions which may arise. I will provide 10 copies of my prepared statement.
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I will address my remarks to the following subjects:




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I do not plan to attend the above hearing.
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I would like to be added to the Committee's mailing list for notices and reports.
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I would like to be removed from the Committee's mailing list.
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I will require assistance and/or handicapped accessibility information. Please specify the type of assistance required:




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