Re: [privacy] In Rehab? It Could Be On Your Credit Report

[Drsolly <drsollyp () drsolly com>]

> Mike Herwig looked at his credit report recently and saw something even
> more disturbing than past due accounts.
>
> He saw the words "Starlite Recovery Center."
>
> As the name hints, Starlite is a drug and alcohol treatment clinic in
> Texas. Herwig, a 36-year-old Boston resident, received treatment for
> alcoholism there two years ago and wanted that to remain secret. But now
> he fears he's been outed as a recovering addict in front of future
> employers, landlords, insurance companies and any other organization
> that pulls his credit report.
>
> Experian, which issued the credit report, says Herwig's fears are
> unfounded. Starlite's name is omitted from copies of the report given to
> others and appears only on Herwig's personal report, according to
> Experian’s Don Girard. In fact, federal law prohibits credit bureaus
> from listing the name of any medical treatment facility on a credit
> report furnished to lenders or employers, he said.

So let's just hope that Mike Herwig,  a 36-year-old Boston resident, 
doesn't have friends, employers etc who are able to use Google to find 
this article.

> Still, Herwig's story is instructive about the alarming things that can
> appear on credit reports, and the kind of rights consumers have.

And on MSN, in case no-one else saw the credit report.

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