FTC Conducting Credit Score Survey

The Federal Trade Commission is seeking comment on how credit scores affect availability and pricing of financial products, including mortgage loans and homeowners insurance, as part of a study mandated by Congress.The request for public comments lists 24 questions on the effect that credit scores and scoring systems have on consumer credit and another 21 questions related to credit-based insurance scores. In one question, the FTC asks, "What steps, if any, do score developers, lenders or other users of credit scores take to ensure the use of credit scores does not result in negative or differential treatment of protected categories of consumers under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act?" The FTC is also seeking comment on secondary-market activities. "In what ways has the availability of credit scores affected the development of the secondary market for credit products?" the agency asks. "Has the use of credit scoring increased or decreased creditors' access to capital?" The comment period ends April 25.