AARP: Policy and Research Information for Professionals in Aging

Search Policy & Research

Advanced Search

Email Newsletter

Get updates on Policy & Research by email.

Credit

Awareness of Security Freeze Legislation and Use of Security Freezes by Consumers Age 18+  / Research Report
November 2007— Consumers are largely unaware of their option to use a security freeze to shield their credit reports from identity thieves, according to this April-May 2007 AARP telephone survey of age 18+ residents in seven states. Older consumers report that they would be more likely to use a security freeze if the process were easier and less costly.

Barriers to the Use of Security Freezes by Older Consumers  / Research Report
October 2007— Older consumers are largely unaware of their option to use a security freeze to shield their credit reports from identity thieves, according to this AARP Public Policy Institute Data Digest by Neal Walters, which also finds that older consumers would be more likely to use a security freeze if the process of placing and using it was easier and less costly. (4 pages) (Publication ID: DD160)

AARP Bulletin Poll on Financial Literacy  / Research Report
October 2007— The AARP Bulletin recently revealed the results of a nationwide poll of 1,031 people ages 40 and older that explored financial literacy on important consumer subjects such as Social Security benefits, 401(k) retirement plans, credit card theft liability, and bankruptcy trends. This Executive Summary, by Dawn V. Nelson, explains that half of the respondents “failed” the financial literacy quiz, correctly answering fewer than 50% of the items. (7 pages)

Consumer Payment Study  / Research Report
February 2007— The extent to which newer electronic payment methods (such as automatic bill payment and online transactions) and more traditional payment methods (cash, checks and credit cards) are used is examined in this Spring 2006 national survey of 1,500 age 25+ individuals with bill-paying responsibility for their households.(31 pages)

Whose Credit is it Anyway? A Survey of Washington State Adults 18+ About Security Freeze Legislation  / Research Report
January 2007— The extent of Washington state consumers’ support for legislation enabling them to have credit reporting agencies not release information from their files without their written consent – and their willingness to use this service if doing so entailed a fee – are examined in this 2006 AARP telephone survey of 800 age 18+ state residents. (20 pages)

2006 Survey of AARP New Mexico Members  / Research Report
November 2006— Findings from a 2006 mail survey exploring and measuring the opinions of AARP members on legislative issues and personal concerns are presented in five individual topical reports concerning affordable housing, consumer financial privacy, long-term care, transportation, and utilities.

Fighting Identity Theft: Lessons from the United Kingdom  / Research Report
June 2006— The chip and PIN system’s effectiveness in reducing several types of card fraud, including counterfeit card fraud and account takeover fraud, in Britain and other countries using similar technology – and its possible applicability to America’s identification theft problems – are examined in this AARP Public Policy Institute Fact Sheet by Neal Walters. (2 pages) (Publication ID: FS129)

Security Freeze Legislation: Consumer Attitudes on Paying Activation and Lifting Fees  / Research Report
April 2006— Delaware, Oklahoma and South Carolina are actively considering legislation to enable consumers to guard against identity theft by blocking credit reporting agencies from releasing their personal information without written consent. The likelihood of people doing so if they have to pay a fee is examined in these 2006 AARP telephone surveys of age 18+ residents of the three states.

Older Consumers’ Attitudes Toward The Use of Credit Scores  / Research Report
July 2005— How much do people know about credit scores? Older persons are much less likely (39 percent) than younger persons (67 percent) to be familiar with credit scores, according to this Data Digest by Sharon Hermanson and Ann Jackson of the AARP Public Policy Institute. (6 pages) (Publication ID: DD120)

The Fair Credit Reporting Act: Issues and Policy Options  / Research Report
January 2003— The FCRA’s effectiveness can be improved by including provisions designed to increase the accuracy of consumer reports, improve the dispute resolution process, prevent identity theft and assist the victims of such crimes in restoring their credit reports. An AARP Public Policy Institute Issue Brief by Neal Walters. (8 pages) (Publication ID: IB58)

The Alternative Financial Services Industry  / Research Report
August 2001— An overview of the growing array of financial services (such as check-cashing outlets, payday lenders, pawn brokers, rent-to-own stores, subprime mortgage lenders) that are a major credit and banking source for low-income and working poor consumers. In this AARP Public Policy Institute Issue Brief, Sharon Hermanson and George Gaberlavage discuss the industry's growth and address policy issues that affect consumers. (16 pages) (Publication ID: IB51)