09 May 2013 Tech Blog » India » Infographics » Social Media » E&Y’s Report on Social Media Marketing in India The social media savvy brands in India are primarily focusing on Facebook and Twitter while Google Plus, Foursquare and Pinterest are not on the radar. couch mode print story
Ernst & Young has released a 53-page report that explores how brands are using social media in India. The report surveyed 48 social media savvy organizations in India including P&G, Cleartrip, Flipkart, Microsoft and others.
You can view download a printable PDF copy of the report from box.net or view it inline on Google Docs.
Here are some of key findings shared in the E&Y report:
Facebook is the most important platform for marketers in India for engaging customers, followed by Twitter, YouTube and blogging. More than half of the organizations surveyed regularly engage with bloggers or online influencers who have authority and strong following.Most brands in India use social media to build communities while others use it to highlight news. They prefer to post generic updates instead of brand updates.Almost half of social media-savvy organizations surveyed spend 1%–5% of their marketing budget on social media, most social media budgets are below INR 10 million.Majority of social media efforts in India are managed by marketing teams. They use standalone digital agencies as compared to PR or ad agencies.
Indian brands are primarily focusing their attention on Facebook and Twitter while Google Plus, Foursquare and Pinterest are not on the radar, at least in the near future.
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Since the "S.H.I.E.L.D." pilot finished shooting in February, it remains to be seen whether Richards was secretly involved throughout the production, was brought in to film pickups or reshoots after production wrapped, or has already been contracted to appear in future episodes if and when the show inevitably earns a full-season pick-up from ABC (likely around the network's annual upfront presentation to advertisers in mid-May).
Check out the slideshow below for some of our casting suggestions for "S.H.I.E.L.D."
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Backstabbing and butt-kicking are two of the reasons Eliza Dushku has become a Whedonverse actress close to our hearts. She can pull both off with sexy finesse, which is needed to play S.H.I.E.L.D. agent and sometimes Nick Fury love interest Contessa Valentina Allegra de la Fontaine.
ABC was developing a series based on Brian Michael Bendis' "Alias" comics with Jessica Jones, a onetime superhero who gives up the spandex and becomes a private eye. The series has been scrapped, but there's no reason Ms. Jones can't find her way into the "Avengers" world, either as a private eye, or S.H.I.E.L.D. agent. Either way, Jessica Jones is a fascinating -- and tortured -- character who is ripe for TV.
In the comics, Dum-Dum Dugan is one of Nick Fury's right-hand men. After originally appearing in "Captain America: The First Avenger," Neal McDonough could reprise the role for Joss Whedon's "S.H.I.E.L.D." series thanks to the use of comic book magic. Example: S.H.I.E.L.D.'s usage of life model decoys, or LMD.
No self-respecting comic-book story can function without a bad guy, and Osborn/the Green Goblin certainly qualifies. No character did more to damage S.H.I.E.L.D., which means he could be the basis for a season-long arc (or three), and Tudyk proved in "Dollhouse" that he can play scary, damaged characters very well. Obviously he's got a commitment to ABC's "Suburgatory," but if he's underused again in the upcoming season, we say set him free!
This Asian-American secret agent would work well within the context of a weekly spy-adventure series, and ever since Watanabe reminded us in "Inception" of what a charismatic actor he is, we've wanted to see a lot more of him on our screens. Delving into the "life model decoy" stories that Woo was involved in would also allow Whedon and the writers to explore the kind of identity issues seen in the short-lived Fox drama "Dollhouse."
Johnson, who in the comics is Director of S.H.I.E.L.D., has the ability to cause seismic activity and once defeated Magneto that way. It's been too long since Benson had a prominent role on television, and the role of Daisy would draw on her strength, range and general ability to kick ass.
Glau, who debuted as a dancer in the "Buffy" spinoff "Angel" before blowing our minds on "Firefly," has the right kind of physicality and grace for the role of Jessica Drew, the original Spider-Woman. After a series of adventures fighting a wide array of bad guys, Drew eventually became a private investigator, meaning she (possibly in combination with a similar character, Jessica Jones) could potentially anchor a weekly drama with procedural overtones.
Wood proved her dramatic chops at a young age thanks to her breakthrough role in "Thirteen," and after showcasing her kick-ass side in "True Blood," we think there are few young actresses that could pull off Carol Danvers' combination of poise and empowerment as well as she could. In the comics, Major Carol Danvers (AKA Ms. Marvel) has served as executive director of S.H.I.E.L.D. after Nick Fury was deposed, and is a superheroine in her own right after an explosion caused her genetic structure to meld with Captain Marvel's, imbuing her with superhuman strength and flight. Since we're betting ABC doesn't have the budget for a super-powered superhero show, we see Danvers as a respected agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. with aspirations towards leadership.
As an integral part of S.H.I.E.L.D. and the occasional girlfriend of Captain America, Carter would be a key part of any TV spinoff, and Helfer proved on "Battlestar Galactica" and in countless guest roles that she has the presence, acting chops and physical ability to play the part of an active field agent with a complicated past. It'd be nice if Hayley Atwell, who played Sharon's aunt Peggy in the "Captain America" movie, wanted to play her own niece in the American drama, but that seems unlikely. Either actress would be a fine addition to the new show, but we'll admit that even the hint of a "BSG"/"Avengers" crossover makes us all tingly.
Time will tell whether Whedon can lure Samuel L. Jackson back to TV on a regular or recurring basis to reprise the role of Nick Fury, or whether the S.H.I.E.L.D. series will take part in a specific subdivision that can explain the executive director's absence. Either way, we'd like to have our Fury cake and eat it, so rather than recasting, we propose including Marcus Johnson, Nick Fury's son. Michael B. Jordan stole our hearts in "Friday Night Lights" as a teen who had a somewhat antagonistic relationship with his absentee father, so drafting Johnson in as a new S.H.I.E.L.D. recruit facing accusations of nepotism could be a good way to keep things in the family but stay within ABC's budget.
Since Jensen Ackles and Warren Kole are occupied on other shows, we think "American Horror Story" and "Raising the Bar" star Sears is a good alternative for S.H.I.E.L.D agent Clay Quartermain, who is described as a "blond-haired, fast-talking, grinning Burt Lancaster" sort of chap, as well as a former love interest of Jessica Jones. Sears also has Whedonverse credentials, having guest-starred in an episode of "Dollhouse."
Eagle-eyed "Avengers" fans know that Gjokaj already has a role in the Marvel-verse, thanks to his blink and you'll miss it cameo as a cop in Whedon's movie. Still, Whedon has never been averse to recycling his favorite actors between projects, so we'd love to see the "Dollhouse" alum in "S.H.I.E.L.D." in some capacity. We were torn between this role and the more antagonistic character of Warhawk, but figured that Alexander Pierce's position as Nick Fury's bodyguard and sleeper agent for S.H.I.E.L.D. was a good fit. Pierce has no superhuman powers in the comics, but is described as a skilled hand-to-hand combatant and marksman, something that we know Gjokaj could sell.
Maybe it's the similarity in their names, but the villain-turned-S.H.I.E.L.D. agent (or is it the other way round?) known as Taskmaster would be a perfect role for the man who masterfully charted the evolution of Spike throughout "Buffy" and "Angel." Marsters also has experience playing a comic book villain thanks to his stint as Brainiac on "Smallville," and certainly has the charisma and menace to portray an antihero who could later be welcomed back into the agency.
Clark Gregg's Agent Coulson has been an integral part of the Marvel cinematic universe since his introduction in "Iron Man," and is so beloved by fans that he was retroactively brought into the comics. We still don't know if "S.H.I.E.L.D." will be a prequel or sequel to the events of the "Avengers" movie, but whether Coulson is revealed to be alive, a LMD, or Whedon suddenly introduces Phil's long-lost twin brother Bill, we need to see Clark Gregg in "S.H.I.E.L.D." in some capacity if the show goes to series.
“Every single immigrant we have, undocumented or documented, is a future American,” Diaz said. “That’s just the truth of it.”
The author continued, drawing applause from the crowd when he said:
We have a whole bunch of young people and a whole bunch of families. Are we going to disrupt these families and tear them apart? Or are we going think, like, listen – these people are here. We’ve got to deal with this reality. We’ve got to extend the franchise. And we’ve got to start thinking of the country in a way of how do we pull folks together, not how do we attack them and afflict them.
Rep. Paul Ryan's (R-Wis.) proposed budget would reduce government spending outside of Social Security and interest on debt to its lowest levels in over six decades, Investor's Business Daily reported Wednesday.
Ryan, the House Budget Committee chairman, unveiled his latest fiscal proposal on Tuesday, laying out $4.6 trillion in cuts over the next decade. The blueprint aims to balance the budget in 10 years by slashing Medicare, Medicaid and programs to aid the poor, including food stamps. Ryan's plan would also repeal President Barack Obama's health care reform law.
"This is not only a responsible, reasonable balanced plan," Ryan said on Tuesday. "It's also an invitation. This is an invitation to the president of the United States, to the Senate Democrats, to come together to fix these problems."
Under the House GOP plan, government spending would hit its lowest levels in 65 years. Investor's Business Daily's Jed Graham reports:
By 2023, under Paul Ryan's budget, the entirety of federal spending outside of Social Security and interest on the debt (16.4% of GDP in 2012) would shrink to 11.2% of GDP, a level not seen since 1948 — before ObamaCare, Medicare, Medicaid, NASA, the interstate highway system and almost before the first baby boomers were born.
That is nearly 25% below the 14.6% of GDP average over the past 64 years. In the only three years over this span that saw spending on the main functions of government (outside of saving for retirement) dip just below 12% of GDP, the unemployment rate averaged 4.5% or less, shrinking safety net outlays while bolstering the spending capacity of state and local governments.
Graham also calculates that by leaving Medicare expenditures out as well as Social Security and interest, spending levels would shrink to 7.9 percent of GDP by 2023, the lowest level since 1938, before Social Security and Medicare programs were created.
According to 9to5Google, an "extremely reliable source" confirmed that Google is building stand-alone retail stores in the U.S. The first few stores are expected to open in major cities by the 2013 holiday season.
The report comes on the heels of the recent news that Google may open its first retail store within its European headquarters in Dublin.
According to Bloomberg Businessweek, a planning application filed by the company indicates that Google intends to open a store to the public and sell “Google merchandise." However, in a statement emailed to the media outlet, Google said: "No final decision has been taken."
"[I]n light of Apple's retail success and Microsoft's major retail push, Google could be compelled to make a large- scale, brick-and-mortar investment," Farber wrote.
Though Google has not appeared to have any trouble selling the phone -- especially in the U.K., where the Google-LG device sold out within minutes -- retail stores could offer customers the chance to evaluate products first-hand.
Just in time for Valentine's Day, researchers from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued two new studies of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) today detailing what the lead author of one calls "an ongoing, severe, STI epidemic."
SAN FRANCISCO -- California school districts have misspent tens of millions of dollars intended to provide subsidized meals to low-income students, according to a state Senate report released Wednesday.
The California Department of Education recently ordered eight districts to repay about $170 million to programs that offer free and reduced-price lunches and breakfasts, according to the investigation by the Senate Office of Oversight and Outcomes.
In most cases, the cash-strapped districts used the misappropriated funds to pay for other expenses, such as salaries and equipment, according to the report, titled "Food Fight: Small team of state examiners no match for schools that divert student meal funds."
The cafeteria fund diversions have led to cost-cutting measures, such as shorter lunch periods, inadequate staffing and serving processed foods instead of fresh fruits and vegetables, the report said.
The cases mentioned in the report may only represent a fraction of misappropriated meal money in California because the state doesn't have the resources to monitor how its nearly 3,000 school districts spend their cafeteria funds, the report said. Most of the investigations were prompted by whistleblowers.
Chief Deputy Superintendent Richard Zeiger said Wednesday that the Department of Education plans to hire and train more staff members to monitor district meal programs and conduct more frequent reviews later this year.
"Our goal is to be sure every dollar set aside to feed California's children is spent for that purpose, and that purpose alone," Zeiger said in a statement. "From my point of view, they are literally taking food out of the mouths of kids."
The department ordered the Los Angeles Unified School District to repay $158 million to its cafeteria fund after state officials found misappropriations and unallowable charges, according to the report.
The Los Angeles district, the nation's second largest, said in a statement Wednesday that it has been working with state education officials to "ensure full compliance to federal and state guidelines. All disputed costs for the years in question have been adjusted accordingly."
The Department of Education also ordered repayments, ranging from $369,000 to $5.6 million, from the Baldwin Park, Centinela Valley, Compton, Oxnard, San Diego, San Francisco and Santa Ana districts. Another six districts were ordered to repay smaller amounts.
The San Diego and Santa Ana districts are challenging the department's findings.
California school districts provide 2.4 million free and reduced-price meals every day. The U.S. Department of Agriculture provides more than $2 billion a year in meal subsidies to California, which provides an additional $145 million.
Tired of hitting that pothole every day on the way to work? There's an app for that.
LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa on Wednesday announced the launch of My LA 311, the city's new iPhone and Droid app, as well as the makeover of the city website, lacity.org.
On both the website, already live, and the app, which will launch March 18, Angelenos will be able to pay their Department of Water and Power bills as well as report abandoned furniture, fallen trees, potholes, graffiti and more. Users can attach pictures of service requests and use their phone's GPS to geotag the location.
The app also will also provide a news feed of live tweets from city agencies and officials and a Google map that shows nearby parks, libraries, pools and parking.
Villaraigosa announced the new site and app at the Google office in Venice, and over a live Google Hangout with five reporters (see video above).
The Huffington Post asked the mayor if City Council votes will be posted on the website in a timely manner, or quickly tweeted and posted on Facebook. Villaraigosa said swift reporting of votes may be available in the future, with the "2.0 version" of the app. The 2.0 version will also be bilingual, with the addition of Spanish, the "second language of LA," he said.
Free Wi-Fi would make the website and app available to more Angelenos, especially in South LA. Villaraigosa said he tried to get citywide Wi-Fi a few years ago, but "it's not an easy goal to hit," because of cost. Steve Reneker, general manager of the City of Los Angeles Information Technology Agency, said citywide Wi-Fi remains a goal.
Villaraigosa said the cost of the developing the app was "very reasonable" at $130,000. The website renovation cost an additional $5,000. He said the new technology may save the city money long-term, but the new technology was developed mostly to improve city services. "I think you'll see more complaints, less frustration and quicker responses," he said.
The mayor conceded that LA's app comes after some cities already have apps up and running. "But ours seems to me to be the best," he said. "I imagine they'll try to one up us … a little competition … and I look forward to that."
Councilman Eric Garcetti -- the frontrunner in the mayoral race -- developed a similar 311 app for his Silverlake-area district more than a year ago.
When Villaraigosa, who has only a few more months in office, was asked if President Barack Obama has offered him the position of Secretary of Transportation, he dodged the question. Instead, he responded to rumors that his cousin, Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez, is being considered by Obama to replace Labor Secretary Hilda Solis.
“I heard my cousin, by the way, is on the list, and I’m glad he is," Villaraigosa said. "I’ve said to a number of people he would make a great secretary of labor." Pérez is the first openly gay state Assembly speaker and is a former officer of the United Food and Commercial Workers International union.
TEHRAN, Iran -- Iran's police chief says the Islamic Republic is developing new software to control social networking sites.
Gen. Esmail Ahmadi Moghadam was quoted in Iranian newspapers Saturday as saying the new software will prevent Iranians from being exposed to malicious content online while allowing users to enjoy the benefits of the Internet. He did not say when the software would be introduced.
Moghadam also did not specify which social networking sites would be affected, but both Facebook and Twitter are popular in Iran.
Iranians currently have access to most of the Internet, although authorities block some sites affiliated with the opposition, as well as those that are seen as promoting dissent or considered morally corrupt.
Iran created a government agency last year to oversee Internet usage in the country.
Tulane University sent false information for at least two years to U.S. News & World Report for the magazine's college ranking consideration, the university disclosed last month.
Tulane informed U.S. News in December that officials had discovered its A.B. Freeman School of Business misreported "average GMAT scores for full-time MBA students entering in fall 2011 and the total number of applicants." Tulane said the school had misreported a batch of data from the fall of 2010 and possibly in earlier years as well.
"We deeply regret that this occurred," Ira Solomon, dean of the A.B. Freeman School of Business, said in a statement. "The checks and balances we have implemented will provide assurance that this will not happen again."
According to U.S. News, the New Orleans-based university is investigating and will release a public report in mid-January.
The Times-Picayune reports Tulane noticed test scores and the number of applicants this year "skewed lower than the previous two years" as it was preparing information about its MBA program to send to U.S. News. Solomon said since the school's standards and admissions criteria have not changed, "this raised a concern that our data from previous years had been misreported."
A few other institutions fabricated data submitted to U.S. News in 2012. George Washington University lost its ranking after the school disclosed it had inflated admissions data for more than a decade.
Earlier this week, Skinnygirl founder and Bravo reality star Bethenny Frankel tweeted to more than 1.1 million of her followers that she was "heartbroken" over her recent separation from husband of two-and-a-half years, Jason Hoppy.
In a statement announcing the separation on December 23, Frankel said, "We have love and respect for one another and will continue to amicably co-parent our daughter who is and will always remain our first priority."
In a May 2012 interview with People magazine, the former New York City "Housewife" spoke candidly about the struggles she faced in her marriage.
"Money, family, gender roles, we just keep fighting over them," she told the magazine. "It's almost like a scab that you keep picking at."
If Frankel does end up filing for divorce from Hoppy, she would hardly be the first "Real Housewife" to do so. Click through the slides below for 35 other so-called "Bravolebrities" who called it quits with their husbands.
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Camille Grammer of "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" was married to Kelsey Grammer for 13 years before they split in February 2011. The "Frasier" star said that the "'Real Housewives' was [his] parting gift to her."
Taylor and Russell Armstrong were married for six years before "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" star filed for divorce in July 2011. Armstrong committed suicide one month later.
"Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" star Brandi Glanville split from actor Eddie Cibrian in October 2010 after eight years of marriage. The couple -- who have two sons together -- divorced following rumors of an affair between Cibrian and LeAnn Rimes, his married co-star on the 2009 television movie "Northern Lights." Rimes and Cibrian tied the knot in April 2011.
Tamra and Simon Barney were married for 11 years before they called it quits in January 2010.
LuAnn de Lesseps, otherwise known as Countess LuAnn or The Countess on "The Real Housewives of New York City," split from Count Alexandre de Lesseps after 16 years of marriage in 2009. The Count was allegedly having an affair and he told his wife about it shortly after they celebrated their wedding anniversary.
Jeana and Matt Keough were married for more than 20 years before they went through a public breakup on "The Real Housewives of Orange County" in 2009.
Former "Real Housewives of Atlanta" star Lisa Wu and Ed Hartwell were married for five years before announcing their split in August 2011. The housewife was previously married to R&B singer Keith Sweat for 11 years before they divorced in 2003.
Vicki Gunvalson filed for divorce from Donn Gunvalson after 16 years of marriage in 2010. "The Real Housewives of Orange County" star said that she "hurt Donn a lot by exposing all of the things that I did, which I never meant to do."
Michaele and Tareq Salahi were married for eight years before Tareq Salahi filed for divorce in September 2011, claiming that "The Real Housewives of D.C." star cheated on him with Journey guitarist, Neal Schon. The couple is best known for gatecrashing President Barack Obama's first state dinner in 2009.
DeShawn Snow of the "Real Housewives of Atlanta" was married to Eric Snow for 12 years before the former NBA star filed for divorce in May 2010.
Lauri Waring Peterson had been divorced twice before she joined "The Real Housewives of Orange County" in 2006. She married George Peterson in Season 3.
Tammy and the late Louis Knickerbocker of "The Real Housewives of Orange County" were married at age 21, but divorced in 2000.
Quinn Fry, who is featured in the video clip to the left, was twice divorced before she joined "The Real Housewives of Orange County" for Season 3 only.
Gretchen Rossi of "The Real Housewives of Orange County" was previously married to Chris Rossi before she divorced him in 2007. She dated Slade Smiley, who was previously engaged to former housewife Jo De La Rosa, but the couple has been on the rocks of late, according to various reports.
Alexis Bellino divorced Jeffrey Barry in 2003 after 15 months of marriage before she joined "The Real Housewives of Orange County." She has been remarried to Jim Bellino since 2005.
Sonja Morgan was married to John Adams Morgan (the great-grandson of financier John Pierpont Morgan) for 10 years before their divorced was finalized in 2008.
"The Real Housewives of New York City" star Bethenny Frankel married Peter Sussman in 1996 and divorced him just eight months later. After a whirlwind romance, she married Jason Hoppy in 2010.
Jill Zarin had a 14-year-old daughter, Allyson Shapiro, from a previous marriage before joining "The Real Housewives of New York City." Zarin is currently married to Bobby Zarin.
Kim Richards was twice divorced before she joined "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills."
Kyle Richards was divorced from Guraish Aldjufrie before she joined "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills." She is currently married to Mauricio Umansky.
Cristy Rice was divorced from retired Miami Heat player Glen Rice before she joined "The Real Housewives of Miami."
Marysol Patton was divorced for 10 years before she joined "The Real Housewives of Miami." She reportedly eloped with Philippe Pautesta-Herder in March 2011.
Alexia Echeverria, who can be seen in the video clip to the left, divorced convicted drug smuggler Pedro Rosello before joining "The Real Housewives of Miami." She is currently married to businessman Herman Echevarria.
Adriana De Moura-Sidi divorced Roberto Sidi in 2006 before joining "The Real Housewives of Miami." She became engaged to a man named Fredric in early 2011.
Lynda Erkiletian was divorced before she joined "The Real Housewives of D.C." She has four children and, reportedly, a "much younger" boyfriend, Ebong Eka.
Former "Real Housewives of D.C." star Mary Amons announced she was divorcing Rich Amons, her husband of 26 years, in May 2012. "It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that I have decided to end my 26-year marriage. While I have the deepest respect for my husband and wish him the very best, we have grown apart," Amons said in a statement. The former couple have five children together.
In May 2012, former "Real Housewife of Orange County" Lynne Curtin told RadarOnline that she was divorcing husband Frank Curtin. "After more than 20 years of marriage Frank and I have decided to go our separate ways," Lynne told the site. "I love Frank but it was time to go out on my own." Apparently, the feeling wasn't entirely mutual. Frank told the Orange County Register that he wasn't "a willing participant" in Lynne's decision to file for divorce.
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Your credit score is critical in today's world. It may be used by employers, landlords, insurance agents, and banks to evaluate your applications for credit, housing, insurance, or employment. You should therefore be sure that the information contained in your credit report is accurate and up-to-date. You can do this by monitoring your credit. The United States Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recommends that you check your credit report at least once a year, and has enacted several laws to ensure that you can get your credit report for free on a periodic basis. Here you'll learn just how to do that.
Edit StepsIn The U.S.A.1Request your report. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires each of the nationwide consumer reporting companies to provide you with a free copy of your credit report, should you request one, once every 12 months. You may request your free copy in one of three ways:Online. To request your report online, and view it instantly, visit the website that the three credit reporting agencies—Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian—co-sponsor: AnnualCreditReport.com at https://www.annualcreditreport.com. In order to verify your identity, you will be asked five basic questions about your finances and previous addresses before you will have access to your report.By phone. To request that your report be mailed to you by phone, call 1-877-322-8228 and ask for a copy of your report from each of the three reporting agencies. You will go through a simple verification process over the phone, and should receive a copy of your report within 2 to 3 weeks of your request.By mail. To request your report by mail, you will need to complete the Annual Credit Report Request Form available at https://www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/requestformfinal.pdf. Then mail it to: Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281. You can expect to receive a copy of your report in approximately two to three weeks from the date your request is received by AnnualCreditReport.com.2Re-order a credit report. If you have already obtained your free report under the FCRA’s 2003 amendment, determine if you're entitled to another free credit report. The FCRA also provides for certain situations in which consumers are entitled to a free credit report, regardless of when they obtained their last free report. Some situations that may entitle you to a free report include:You had a credit, insurance, or employment application denied because of information on your credit report. The employer, insurer, or bank will send you a notice that includes the contact information for the reporting agency that provided the report used. You have 60 days from the date you learn of the denial to contact the agency and ask for a copy of your credit report.You are unemployed and plan to begin looking for a job within the next 60 days.You receive government welfare assistance.You are a victim of fraud of identity theft and believe is has result in inaccurate information being placed on your credit report.Your state laws may also give you the right to obtain an additional free credit report every 12 months. A listing of states with laws entitling residents to an extra free report can be found on the reporting agencies centralized website at https://www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/helpfaq#statelaw.3If you are entitled to another free credit report for any reason, you must request it from each of the three reporting agencies. Each agency has a different procedure for requesting and obtaining your report.Equifax (https://aa.econsumer.equifax.com/aad/landing.ehtml). Request your report by calling: 800-685-1111 or writing to Equifax Disclosure Department, P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374. When writing, be sure to include your name, social security number, current and previous addresses, date of birth, and telephone number. For your protection, you will also need to verify your identity by providing copies of certain documents. For a list of acceptable documents, see Equifax’s Acceptable Forms of Identification page at https://help.equifax.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/18.You may also request your report online by visiting the Equifax website.Experian at https://www.experian.com/consumer/cac/InvalidateSession.do?code=CDIDEC. Request your report by calling 866-200-6020 or visiting them online at https://www.experian.com/consumer/cac/InvalidateSession.do?code=CDIDECTransUnion at https://disclosure.transunion.com/dc/disclosure/disclosure.jsp. Request your report by calling 800-888-4213, writing to TransUnion LLC, 2 Baldwin Place, P.O. Box 1000, Chester, PA 19022, or visiting them online at https://disclosure.transunion.com/dc/disclosure/disclosure.jsp. When writing, be sure to include your name, social security number, current and previous addresses, date of birth, and telephone number.International1Get informed. If you're in need of international credit services, Equifax[1] offers business-class credit reporting. If you're based in the U.S., it's best to go with a reputable U.S. organization like Equifax.2Research the options. There are a number of international credit reporting agencies, as a quick search on Google will attest.3Visit Graydon (http://www.graydon.co.uk/) in the U.K. While they're a paid service, they offer a free credit check as part of their "get to know us" offerings. They also offer international credit reports and other credit-based financial services.Edit TipsMonitoring your credit is also one of the best ways to protect yourself from identity theft, as it allows for early detection of unauthorized activity.Your credit score is not part of the free annual credit report you are entitled to under the FCRA, and must be purchased separately from the credit-reporting agency.Read your report thoroughly for errors. If you suspect some unauthorized activity may be taking place in your financial accounts you should place a fraud alert.Under federal law, you’re entitled to a free report if a company takes adverse action against you, such as denying your application for credit, insurance, or employment, and you ask for your report within 60 days of receiving notice of the action. The notice will give you the name, address, and phone number of the consumer reporting company. You’re also entitled to one free report a year if you’re unemployed and plan to look for a job within 60 days; if you’re on welfare; or if your report is inaccurate because of fraud, including identity theft.If you are under 13 years of age or you are requesting a credit report for your child under 13 years of age because you suspect that the minor's information has been used fraudulently, contact the credit reporting agencies directly and report the illegal use of your child's information to law enforcement.When using http://www.annualcreditreport.com, you may want to use a browser without any extensions or add-ons as it may interfere with your request. You typically only have one chance to submit the information correctly or you will be informed to make your request by mail.Edit WarningsThere are many companies offering consumers free credit reports and then billing for services that the consumer has to then cancel. Be aware of such scams, and remember that AnnualCreditReport.com is the only authorized source for the free annual credit report to which federal law entitles you.According to the FTC, Annualcreditreport.com and the three consumer-reporting agencies, Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, will not send you an email asking for your personal information. If you get an email, see a pop-up ad, or get a phone call from someone claiming to be from annualcreditreport.com or any of the three reporting agencies, you should not reply or click on any link in the message. Such emails should be forwarded to the FTC at spam@uce.gov.Edit Things You'll NeedSocial Security numberSocial Insurance number (for Canadians)Current addressDate of birthInformation on current loans and credit cards for verification purposesEdit Related wikiHowsHow to Contact Credit Reporting AgenciesHow to Determine How Often Can One File for Chapter 13 BankruptcyHow to Put a Fraud Alert on Your Credit ReportHow to Avoid Unauthorized Requests on Your Credit ReportHow to Understand Your FICO Credit ScoreHow to Build Credit Without Credit CardsEdit Sources and Citationshttp://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre34.shtm – research sourcehttp://money.msn.com/credit-rating/get-extra-credit-reports-for-free.aspx – research sourcehttp://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/freereports/index.shtml – research sourcehttp://www.transunion.com/personal-credit/credit-disputes/credit-reports-disclosures.page – research sourceArticle Info Featured Article
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