WPF Report: Call Don’t Click II – Still be smart about ordering federally mandated free credit reports

The World Privacy Forum cautions consumers who qualify to order a federally mandated free annual credit report to ensure that they take common-sense computer safety steps before ordering their credit report online.

Press Release: Call Don’t Click Update: STILL BE SMART ABOUT ORDERING FEDERALLY MANDATED FREE CREDIT REPORTS – New Report Identifies Over 100 Imposter Domains Interfering with Federally Mandated Free Credit Report Site, www.AnnualCreditReport.com

In its first report on this subject published in February 2005, The World Privacy Forum documented that 96 known imposter domains existed, with 50 of those domains active and online. In its new study, “Call Don’t Click Update: Still be smart about ordering Federally mandated free credit reports,” the World Privacy Forum has found that 233 known imposter sites now exist, with 112 of the imposter domains active and online. This marks a 124 percent increase in known, active imposter domains since February.

HIPAA News and National Health Information Network News

Medical privacy — In HIPAA news, the Department of Justice has released a new ruling regarding HIPAA. The opinion is available here (PDF). Also, the HHS report summarizing the 500 + comments on the RFI for the National Health Information Network has been posted. The HHS report is available here. The World Privacy Forum and the Electronic Frontier Foundation submitted joint comments for the NHIN RFI, those comments are available here (PDF).

Updated Consumer tips for retrieving your federally mandated free credit report

Financial and Internet privacy — Before you call, click, or mail away for your federally mandated free credit report, read these tips to help you avoid potential problems. This consumer tip sheet includes graphics to show you what problematic “fake” free credit sites look like, and includes consumer-tested tips for safely receiving your free reports. The tip sheet also includes resources with information, phone numbers, and addresses for ordering your report.