cyberoid@milton.u.washington.edu (Robert Jacobson) (01/08/91)
Today's (1/7/91) WALL STREET JOURNAL contains a full-page advertisment by Equifax ("The Information Source") announcing its acquisition of the check-cashing authorization service, Telecredit. According to the ad, "TODAY A BILLION-DOLLAR INFORMATION POWERHOUSE WAS CREATED TO BRING BUSINESS AND CONSUMERS CLOSER TOGETHER": In the U.S. and Canada -- where over 44% of all consumer payments are made by check and more than 120 million people freely use credit cards -- we hold the most complete consumer information databases in the world. As much as money, information facilitates the exchange of today's goods and services. We hold the key to better business. And better living. When you come right down to it, bringing business and consumers closer together does everybody a world of good. That's why we developed a Fair Information Practices Code -- one that goes beyond legal require- ments -- to protect individual privacy while promoting the free flow of information for the benefit of all. It's why over 100,000 businesses come to us for infor- mation over three million times every working day. Isn't it time you found out what we can do for your business? Call the Source: 1-800-457-6872. The new company bills over a billion dollars a year, with 1,100 locations and 15,000 specialists -- "spread across 15 of the 24 time zones." Operating income is over $100 million. The "new Equifax" offers over 1,000 customized information services. There, don't you feel better? Bob Jacobson