Folks, I'm sending this to about everyone I know. I called my personal credit card company and they said this is TRUE! Have your credit card company put you on their do not share list, but call the number below and get some printed info on this situation. Your credit can be shared with prospective employer or banks and has something to do with the reason all of us are now signing medical forms allowing our data to be shared when we go to the doctor or pharmacist. No one has yet been able to tell me WHY this is happening. One would suspect to have more knowledge and control of the individual, however. DO check with your credit card companies! This is REAL... Regardless of your opinion on this it is important to be informed...ask WHY this is occurring! We have a right to know when our privacy is lessened. Best wishes, Emily This was sent to me and I checked it out. It appears to be legitimate. There is more on this at: http://www.pirg.org/consumer/credit/bureaus.htm Your Credit: Personal Information goes public Starting July 1st, 2003, the four major credit bureaus in the US (Equifax, etc.) will be allowed to release credit info, mailing addresses, phone numbers, etc., to ANYONE who requests it. If you do not want to be included in this release of your personal information, you can call 1-888-567-8688. Once the message starts you will want option #2 (even though option #1 refers to this email, push #2) and then option #3. Be sure to listen closely, the first option is only for a two-year period. Make sure you wait until they prompt for the third option, which opts you out FOREVER. You should receive their paperwork in the mail confirming the "opting out" in less than one week after making the call. PASS THIS MESSAGE ON TO ALL IN YOUR ADDRESS BOOK, FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

This message is totally off topic. Please do not respond to the list regarding it. I will take care of it behind the scenes. Kathleen Burnett List Mom