Hooper Holmes, Inc.

BILLING CODE 6750-01-M 16 CFR Part 13 [Docket No. C-3020] Hooper Holmes, Inc.; Prohibited Trade Practices, and Affirmative Corrective Actions a g e n c y : Federal Trade Commission. ACTION: Final order.

SUMMARY: In settlement of alleged violations of federal law prohibiting unfair acts and practices and unfair methods of competition, this consent order requires, among other things, a Basking Ridge, N.J. firm, through its Credit Index Division, a consumer reporting and collection agency, to cease violating federal credit laws by failing to maintain reasonable procedures designed so as to ensure that reports are furnished only for lawful purposes and assure the maximum accuracy of reported information. In its role as a debt collector, the agency is required to include in collection communications prescribed notices informing consumers of their rights under federal credit laws. Consumers requesting information in their credit files have to be provided with a copy of this information. Additionally, the agency is required to mail to its subscribers, each year for a five year period, a prescribed notice informing them of their statutory obligations.

d a t e s : Complaint and order issued June 11,1980.1 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Leroy Richie, Director, 8R, New York Regional Office, Federal Trade Commission, 2243-EB Federal Bldg., 26 Federal Plaza, New York, N.Y. 10007. (212) 264-1207.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On Monday, April 7,1980, there was published in the Federal Register, 45 FR 23466, a proposed consent agreement with analysis In the Matter of Hooper Holmes, Inc., a corporation through its Credit Index Division, for the purpose of soliciting public comment. Interested parties were given sixty (60) days in which to submit comments, suggestions or objections regarding the proposed form of order.

No comments having been received, the Commission has ordered the issuance of the complaint in the form contemplated by the agreement, made its jurisdictional findings and entered its order to cease and desist, as set forth in the proposed consent agreement, in disposition of this proceeding. The prohibited trade practices and/or corrective actions, as codified under 16 CFR Part 13, are as follows: Subpart- Coercing and Intimidating: § 13,356 Delinquent debtors. Subpart-Collecting, Assembling, Furnishing or Utilizing Consumer Reports and/or Information: § 13.382 Collecting, assembling, furnishing or utilizing consumer reports and/or information; § 13.382-1 Confidentiality, accuracy, relevancy, and proper utilization; § 13.382-l(a) Fair Credit Reporting Act; § 13.382-5 Formal regulatory and/or statutory requirements; § 13.382-5(a) Fair Credit Reporting Act. Subpart Corrective Actions and/or Requirements: § 13.533 Corrective actions and/or requirements; § 13.533-20 Disclosures; § 13.533-37 Formal regulatory and/or statutory requirements. Subpart-Enforcing Dealings or Payments Wrongfully: § 13.1045 Enforcing dealings or payments wrongfully. Subpart-Failing To Comply With Affirmative Statutory Requirements: § 13.1048 Failing to comply with affirmative statutory requirements; § 13.1048-10 Fair Credit Reporting Act. Subpart-Neglecting, Unfairly or Deceptively, To Make Material Disclosure: § 13.1852 Formal regulatory and statutory requirements; § 13.1852-60 Fair Credit Reporting Act; 1 Copies of the Complaint, and Decision and Order filed with the original document. 1 13.1895 Scientific or other relevant facts.

(Sec. 6, 38 Stat. 721; (15 U.S.C. 46). Interpret or apply sec. 5, 38 Stat. 719, as amended; 84 Stat. 1128-36; (15 U.S.C. 1681-1681t)) Carol M. Thomas, Secretary.

[FR Doc. 80-19711 Filed 6-30-80; 8:45 am]