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Posted on Fri, Jan. 20, 2006

Midday Business Report: Free credit reports translate poorly

By PAUL WENSKE
The Kansas City Star

Consumer advocates say millions of Spanish-speaking Americans are shut out from getting their free credit reports because of a language barrier.

Consumers Union said it is getting calls from Latinos in the United States and in Puerto Rico asking for translation assistance to navigate the new Web site where Americans can get a free annual credit report.

The consumer organization, which publishes Consumer Reports, is asking the three big credit bureaus that operate the Web site to voluntarily make this information available in a bilingual format.

The government required each credit bureau to provide Americans with one free credit report each year. The bureaus set up a Web site, www.annualcreditreport.com, to make it easier for most Americans.

But there was no requirement on the bureaus to make the Web site bilingual. The consumer group said toll-free phone lines also lack a mechanism to provide assistance in Spanish.

The three credit bureaus that collectively provide the free service are Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.

Norma Garcia, Consumers Union senior staff attorney, asked credit bureau officials in letters this week to take bold steps toward providing “Web site and toll-free assistance in Spanish in recognition of the importance of this booming sector of the population.� The request was supported by consumer officials in Puerto Rico.

For more information go to www.consumersunion.org or www.PoderdelConsumidor.org.

To reach Paul Wenske, consumer affairs writer, call (816) 234-4454 or send e-mail to pwenske@kcstar.com.