Free Annual File Disclosures

Document Headings Document headings vary by document type but may contain the following: the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document the number of the CFR title and the number of each part the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly related to the agency docket number / agency internal file number the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions See the Document Drafting Handbook for more details. Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR Part 610 RIN 3084-AA94 AGENCY: Federal Trade Commission. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: Section 205 of the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009 requires the Federal Trade Commission to issue a rule to prevent deceptive marketing of free credit reports. To that end, the Commission amends the Free Annual File Disclosures Rule to require certain advertisements for “free credit reports” to include prominent disclosures designed to prevent consumers from confusing these “free” offers with the federally mandated free annual file disclosures available through the single centralized source. In addition, the final amended Rule requires nationwide consumer reporting agencies to delay advertisements for products and services through the centralized source until after consumers receive their free annual file disclosures, and prohibits other practices that may interfere with the free annual file disclosure process. The final amended Rule also implements certain technical changes to the original Rule. DATES: The effective date is April 2, 2010, except for § 610.4(b)(1)(i) and (2), which are effective September 1, 2010. ADDRESSES: Requests for copies of the final amended Rule and this document should be sent to: Public Records Branch, Room 130, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20580. The public record of this proceeding is also available at that address. R…