Carol and I got a letter this afternoon from the National Consumer Telecom and Utilities Exchange (NCTUE), a subsidiary of Equifax based in Atlanta. As best I can tell (I’ve never heard of it before today) the NCTUE is a way for phone companies and utility companies to exchange data on deadbeat customers, so that when a guy who owes three grand to the phone company moves to another state, the phone company there can examine his application with a more critical eye and possibly deny the account. In that it’s a lot like a conventional credit reporting firm, albeit a vertical-market one.
The letter was very plain, not on any sort of letterhead, and relatively crude by my standards. (I could have set up a mail merge like that using a spreadsheet twenty years ago.) It did not come with a glossy explanatory flyer, as I would expect. The key message in the letter is this: According to Colorado law, a consumer reporting agency (like NCTUE) is required to send a free report to consumers who receive either:
- Eight credit inquiries (no indication of a timeframe) from a telecom or utility firm; or
- A single report that adds negative information to someone’s NCTUE file.
To receive a “free disclosure copy” of our report, it suggests that we either call the number 1-866-349-5185 or fill out the bottom third of the letter sheet and send it to:
Exchange Service Center – NCTUE
PO Box 105161
Atlanta GA 30348
The phone number is a robot that immediately asks for your social security number, and provides no option to speak to a human being. The sheet requires your social security number and date of birth, along with a signature. Needless to say, they’re not getting it. Carol and I have an autopay system for all telecom/utility payments, and we keep the autopay account well-stoked. Our use is fairly predictable, and nothing has changed in a long time. The account has plenty of money in it, and no bills have failed to be paid on time. (We checked.)
Interestingly, the NCTUE Web site is not accessible right now. When I try to go to nctue.com, I get a “Bandwidth Limit Exceeded” message. What this suggests is that NCTUE is engaging in some shady marketing. If they recently dumped several million of these letters in the mail, their web site may well not be able to handle the traffic. I doubt that we got the letter because of some mistake in our own payment management. I’m guessing that gazillions of people got the same letter, and they all arrived today, and everybody is trying to go up there at once and see WTF is going on.
Either that, or they’ve pissed off enough people to earn a DDOS attack…but somehow I doubt it.
It’s unclear what NCTUE is trying to sell, and I’ll keep investigating. I’m guessing Equifax (their parent company) is trying to hawk some kind of credit protection plan, but since I won’t hand them my SS number, it’s hard to tell. In the meantime, I’d be interested in hearing if you’ve received this letter and what, if anything, you’ve done in response.
UPDATE 3/11/2012: One thing I forgot to ask people to mention in their comments: Are you in Colorado? I’m trying to determine if this effort on NCTUE’s part (whatever it turns out to be) depends on some quirk in Colorado law, or if it’s national in scope.
Also, read my next entry, for 3/11/2012!
I just received the NCTUE letter yesterday, April 18th,2012 and I, too, live in Colorado. I was pretty darn sure that I’d never missed a bill, but it made me worried enough that I was going to check at their web site. So glad I saw your post before I did! Thank you so much. I plan to give a heads up on FaceBook to warn others.
I too received this letter today. April 20, 2012. I live in Colorado. I knew that my bills were current and I didn’t owe any back bills. So I went to check them out on line and found your post. Thanks for the heads up.
Oh, it’s a legitimate letter. But it’s also a scam.
http://denver.cbslocal.com/2012/03/15/consumer-reporting-letter-causes-confusion-concern/
Just hard to say exactly what Equifax gets out of this nonsense.
My husband got the letter today (April 23, 2012) and was kind of freaked out until I thought it out…none of our “data” bills are in his name so why would he get the letter??? I then found this site and the link you posted. I pulled all three credit reports for both of us and couldn’t find anything wrong.
Shame on EQUIFAX……they should know better!
Thank you
Oh….I am in Colorado as well
We got ours today (sent to an old address and forwarded by the post office)- we’re in CoSprings. Thank goodness for Google leading me here!
Yes, we got the letter dated April 4th today. We live in Colorado and like everyone else, have no late bills. I don’t know what the scam is, but when I also received one for my dad, who is deceased, it was pretty easy to figure out…
Thanks for posting about the issue
Just received a letter today which was forwarded to my P.O. Box. The letter was originally sent to my physical address. I do not receive mail there. I was immediately suspicious. I live in Colorado. Thanks for posting this.
Hello, I just got the same letter in the mail dated April 4th 2012. I have not missed any payments so this is nothing but a scam. I also live in Colorado.
Hi! Ditto. I am a Colorado resident and received the same letter from NCTUE dated April 4, 2012. Glad I found this website, because I knew we had not missed a payment or even had a late payment!
Thanks, everyone!
Greetings! I received my NCTUE letter April 18th in Colorado.
Anytime I receive a mailing asking for SSN, DOB, and signature my hackles raise.
For identity theft, those are the key items needed for that effort.
My recommendation is to contact your local law enforcement department for them to handle.
But, never, never send the information!!
Got one today, April 20. Forwarded from CO to my new state. No late bills, so suspicious. Thanks for posting this info!
Same story. I received the same letter dated April 4, 2012. I moved to Colorado 2 yrs. ago. I am an investigative journalist so I did my research. And YES, I totally agree with Jeff. Thank you. Barbara A.
I too am a Colorado resident and received a letter date 4/4/2012. I have never paid a utility bill late, and had a funny feeling about the letter. The website was also odd. Thank goodness for google, and other people reporting the same thing.
Not only do I not have any late payments on utilities, but I havent had utilities under my name in Colorado for over 4 years due to moving between Arizona and Texas and staying with Grandparents in Colorado in between (which is where the letter was sent). Im on the phone right now with Equifax and they say theyve had many calls about this and that it is a fraud. They are currently putting me through to a fraud agent to take care of it.
I received my ltr today 4/20. Dated 4/4. I went to their website and found a different phone # than on the ltr. I called it and was able to talk to a “Leanne”. I never gave a SSAN to her. She asked for the address that was used to send my letter. My letter said I had one report w/ neg info. With my name and address she told me I had an outstanding bill with Verizon. I had her stay on the line while I checked my bills. She gave me a month and amount that was late. None was correct. Although she did have my acct #. I called Verizon and they confirmed I was never late and they never heard of NCTUE. Verizon said they would investigate. I think scam, but they had alot of partial info.
Additional info to add to above: I moved from Colorado in 2009. Changed residancey to another state in 2010. I told “Leanne” that and she didn’t seem to care. The address my letter was sent to was my present correct address (not in CO).
Additionhal info #2. I called Equafax to ask them about NCTUE since they were refrenced in the letter. It took a while to get a number to speak to a real person. I Googled it and got 866-640-2273. And guess who answered — “Leanne” !!
We now have received the same letter, but now have received a second mailing. Identical letters. As described above. We have squeaky clean credit. Good to hear from others.
Well, I got my letter today. Tried to do some research and stumbled on to your site. I have always paid my bills and just last month ended up with a 800 plus credit report. I will deal with this when and if it shows up on my report or the creditors are knocking on my door. In the meanwhile I will treat it as a scam.
Sorry, forgot. Yes I am in CO
I got one of these letters today and shredded it when I saw it asks for ss# and dob. Then I found the postings including Channel 4’s and it looks legit. Here’s my suspicion. My credit card number was once compromised by a company that had it records stolen. Although our bills have never been delinquent, we have a credit hold in place to block fraud. This credit hold has stopped us from getting credit from more than one company. Not only is it blocking crooks, it is also blocking us sometimes. I suspect this hold is triggering a letter. Has anyone responded and found out? I don’t plan on removing the hold, btw.
I received the letter dated 4/4/2012 on 4/19/2012. I am in Colorado. I pay my bills and I was suspicious. Thanks for your post.
I got two of these letters, one in my maiden name where I actually live. (I’ve been married about one year) and one in my current married name at my in-laws house, WHERE I HAVE NEVER LIVED! I live in Colorado, and don’t have any delinquent bills either…I tried the 1800 number, but they wanted my social security number so I hung up
We just recieved our letter on April 21, 2012 and we are located in Colorado, with the same story as most of the others that have resonded to the NCTUE letter. Thank you for the website, it helps to know we were certainly not the only ones targeted.
I too just received a notice from NCTUE. I am glad I did a Google check on them before I proceeded. I too am current with all my utility bills.
I will wait and see if I receive notice from Equifax or Trans Union before I dig in to this.
I am in CO & received this letter on 4/20/12. It’s likely a scam to get your social. Thanks for the post!
I receved this same letter a week or so ago and dismissed it as garbage, but like all things credit, it weighed on me. Scam or legitimate, no company should ask for this type of information cold-call. It’s unprofessional and a significant risk to the public at large. I can see confirming the last four of our SSN and birth year or something. Same with the robot call… After reading everyone’s post, I wondered, are you on an average pay plan with your utility company? I am and noticed on my last bill that it mentioned an outstanding balance, which we all understand is how it works, followed by tips for re-payment assistance. Seemed interesting to me… Almost like the left hand is not aware of the right. Aside from this, I am setup for auto-pay and have never received a letter from our utility company indicating that I owe anything above and beyond our average payment. Seems like any professional company would start there. Maybe that should be the “Colorado law”. Three contact attempts before anything can be provided to NCTUE or the like. Maybe it does and someone forgot? I plan to call our utility company this morning and see if they have any issues they would like to talk to me about. Seems as good a place to start as any. Thanks for sharing.
I received this letter dated 4/3/12. I also live in Colorado. Rather than responding or calling the number in the letter I went to the Equifax site since the letter referenced Equifax and obtained my annual free credit report which required by law. There have been no negative reports of any kind on my credit report. And, I pay all of my bills on time and have for years and years.
For now, I am going to hold off on the letter but file it away in case I get further notices. Thanks for sharing.
Several of the seniors here have received the same letter. I called the local utility companies in Loveland and none of them used this service or had heard of it. I strongly suggest that others DO NOT proivide them with this information. I called Equifax and after several tries found that that they are a subsidy, BUT they recommend not sending out that information.
I live in Colorado. I have not missed a bill with my telco.
Something fishy (phishy) is going on and the DOJ should be made aware. If the consumers don’t know, then it’s a scam!!!
Got a letter from NCTUE saying (this is the text):
1. The credit reporting agency has received eight credit inquiries pertaining to the consumer) a credit inquiry means, for example, that a telecom, utility or pay TV company with which you applied for service has requested your data report, or;
2. The credit reporting agency has received a report that adds negative information to a consumer’s data report (negative information refers to items such as payments not made as agreed, unpaid closed account, or otherwise adverse information).
This sounds like a phishing scam or something more sinister. If they are asking for SS# and date of birth you should tell them go to eff themselves.
Check your credit reports and challenge it if you’re dinged.
But DO NOT give them your SS# or date of birth, and definitely don’t do it on the fake form letter you received!
Don’t believe their website, either. This is a total scam.
I got the letter, interesting point was that my last name was spelled wrong, only which was the was DISH network did and could never correct. I recently cancelled dish and thought they did something. I called them and they showed me in good standing. I am not calling this NCTUE because I don’t trust them. But, they had to have gotten the info from Dish somehow.
I live in Colorado, have always paid my bills on time, and have an excellent credit history with no negative information having ever been entered against me.
Today I received a letter dated April 4, 2012, which is exactly the NCTUE/Equifax letter described above. It asks for my Social Security number, date of birth and signature; and it says I have a negative entry on my NCTUE report. They don’t have my correct name on the letter, and it was mailed to a vacant house where I haven’t lived in 16 years; so I received the letter 19 days after it was dated.
I can’t imagine why Equifax would be involved a scam-artist affiliate; and it’s hard to know whether Equifax is really involved, or whether this is a mass scam-mailing. Coincidentally, a deceased family member got a similar letter. Does this mean his credit is at risk too?
When you try to contact NCTUE, you realize that there is a high liklihood that this is an identity-theft fishing expedition.
Thanks for posting this site.
I received this letter dated back in March. I also live in Colorado.
A couple weeks back, I pulled it out of my records and tried to call. I see the same requested information – date of birth and social security number. No way I am sending that in the mail. So, I tried to call the number. When you get through the automated service, they indicate they want you to pay $7.95 for a ‘free report’.
This is a total scam and this should be investigated. If this is owned by Equifax (as it does say in the automated message), they should be fined for this behavior! I would love to know to where we can all report these people. If anyone finds out where to report this, I say we all call them!
I live in Colorado and have received a letter on the 23rd of April dated April 3. After spending hours researching this, (pulling credit reports, online searches, on the phone with these people) I may have found a reason for all this. The lady at NCTUE (Clover) said that this company is new and has asked for history from companies in the telecom and utilities business to compile a database. In other words someone had this great idea for a business and asked for information about current and previous accounts to start a base of information to build off of.
I realize that sharing information about bad debit and people wishing to defraud businesses is necessary, but in essence adding a fourth credit reporting agency is not needed. This will be another location that a consumer will have to watch to protect their idenity and good history.
I pulled credit reports…. all clean. The company looked into my account and said that Verizon shows missed payments in April, May, June of 2010. I submitted a investigation to this information and called verizon. The lady said that if I missed payments, I would not have a phone now (DAHHHH) but would look it up. They said they did show a late payment in those months but never more than 10 days so it should not have been reported to anyone. (Had an accident around that time including surgeries to repair damage so it could be true, can’t remember). By the way the lady I talked to has never heard of NCTUE and that my account is paid in full and has not been late before or since.
Looks like this company is fishing for dirt and reporting anything it can find to solicit business. Very poor idea. Don’t know what will come of this, but will see it through to the end. I never gave them my SS# just the address and year of birth. I will watch this to see how it progresses.
Both myself & husband (Lloyd Linaman) received the letter April 23, 2012. I was pretty sure we didn’t have any of the problems listed and did, at first, think maybe I should SEND in the form. Then I noticed the need for the SSN. Next I decided to go to the website and read the choices. I tried the fist one (CBS) but it was taking forever to come up so went on the yours. We’ve had identity theft twice, the first back in 2000. We don’t even talk to callers no matter what they are calling for. We merely say “we don’t do anything on the phone”. I’m careful with all internet things. Last week I got my Verizon statement for $1114 & some cents. I looked up and notice that it was sent to about 8-10 people so got out of there quick. A few days later I got MY bill!!! Go figure! Could it be the newbee on the block or what. You just can’t be careful enough these days!!
I too recieved a letter on April 23rd but it is dated April 23rd. Much like the rest of you I immediately suspected that this was a scam so called versus sending my information. I just went to the NCTUE site and they have a message posted to CO residents and a number to call. stay tuned…
I just tried calling the number on the website and it sounds somewhat legit UNTIL you press 2 to speak with someone. The person comes on the line, so you think, and acts like they can’t hear you. Interestingly if you call back 2 or 3 times you realize it is a recording of someone pretending not to be able to hear you. This is all part of an elaborate scam to get your information.
I too live in Colorado and recieved a letter yesterday 4/24/12 date April 4, 2012. I’m current with all my bills and thankful had just pulled my credit report a couple a months ago. I was concerned with any company asking for my SS# and so research lead me to this site. Thankful to see I’m not the only one that got this horrible piece of mail.
Recd a ltr today 4/25 from NCTUE about late pymts, no way has this happened. Thank you everybody for ur input.
I have also recieved this letter and as with others on this post my wife is the one that has all the telecom accounts in her name. We also have never missed a payment. We are also from Colorado.
In Colorado & got the same letter in April. Read the weak Ch4 report provided by Chris (thanks) it appears to me that this is a newer company that has used the data base from Equifax and is sending out general letters to update their data files so that they can sell their services. If you notice it states that one of the two items has occurred. Inquires and/or delinquent to your report. Because companies have made inquires to your report. I am sure that everyone has had the same eight companies inquire. THis is something that I am going to pursue with my state reps and senate as well as federal . Loudly. I am on autopay for most my bills so its not delinquent payments. I suggest that everyone email your gov’t folks about this practice. The more participation the LOUDER is becomes to the gov’t offices.
I received this same letter dated April 4th, and I immediately suspected a scam since I have very recently gotten all three of my verified credit reports and I am not late on anything. Thank you for leading me to these message boards.
4-27-2012 Received letter dated April 4, 2012 – exactly as indicated in above comments. I don’t give out DOB or SSN to anyone because of information they THINK they need from me. Thanks to Jeff Duntemann for initiating this website.
Of course, all of us who pay all of our bills on time do not want to have any incorrect negative information floating around! This one can go ahead and float!
I just received this letter today, researched and found much contradicting info. Many comments say it’s a scam.This article implies it’s definitely something to be leary of, per the quotes from Cary Johnson, Crime Prevention Director for the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office “Do they come under the Fair Credit Reporting Act? The answer is since they’re an auxiliary of Equifax, yes they do,” But the letter raised from red flags even for Johnson. “The letter seems to have come to an awful lot of folks at the same time, and for me, quite frankly, that’s inexplicable.” Then the article goes on to explain that the letter did come from a subsidy of Equifax. So is it a scam or not? Is there REALLY negative info on our credits reports, as the letter says? My letter does state “This letter is to notify you that within the past twelve months we have received at least one report that added negative informaiton to your NCTUE file”. I’ve had no late utility, cell phone, etc. failure to pays or late payments beyond a day, even. If they have info stating otherwise, it’s false.
I went to their website and on the home page is a link specifically for Colorado Residents, which means they did a batch mailing for the state of Colorado. On that link, there is another phone # to call other than what is on the letter, 877-657-9006. I was able to request the file without giving my ss#. I told them I would not give them that info and they were fine with it. They said I should receive the report within 7 business days. I also notice on their website that you can “opt-out” of them selling your info to companies for free credit offers. I’m unsure who they would sell to since it is “supposed” to be strictly for utilities & telecomm, but I’m opting out. I’m tired of dealing with credit reporting agencies and there is YET ANOTHER ONE to deal with.
I Got one, But SORRY I NOT do Credit! and Don’t need it, I like paying
cash for everything, it keeps me out Debt SCAM’s because that all they really are Big SCAMs to put you in debt for life, No Thank’s I Like my Freedom to well!
My daughter just received the letter yesterday. She is terrible at paying her bills on time but I am so glad I looked it up online and found this page. We tore it up. Who knows if she would have responded with the information they asked for. Geesh, just what she would have needed. Thanks again………..oh, and we are in Colorado.
I got the letter from NCTUE yesterday, April 27th. Called the number and once they asked for SSN I hung up an did a websearch – finding your site. I’m in Boulder, CO.
I also have all utilities and data / phone services on autopay.
I think the way to check on this is to follow up with the phone company, cable, cell/data, etc….any company that is alleged to be “covered” by this alleged outfit, and ask if there’s any trouble. If not, ignore these scammers. Something smells very very fishy about this.
…following up…
There’s two contact numbers listed on the website (as well as a link specifically for colorado residents)
the equifax representative listed is Stephen Spizuoco, VP Business Development, Equifax
(703) 761-0330. The number is “no longer in service”
The other contact is:
Alan Moore, Executive Director, NCTUE
(972) 518-0019
I left him a long message explaining the following:
I work for a trade publication that writes about telecom companies and the telecom industry. I’m going to have our editors investigate this nonsense. This smacks of a very underhanded phishing attack – and looks ripe for a lawsuit.
I just recieved letter today and can not reach anyone on the website or phone number. I sure as Hell am not giving up my sssn or DOB. I would lov to figure out what this is, the only thing under myname is Direct Tv which I would love to get ride of as well but only one available where I live in Colorado.
Got two letters one in my name and one in the name of a cousin who work for sprint. I am part of the friends and family plan. The cousins name was on the letter with my address.
I too received my letter on April 30th 2012 and live in Colorado. Anyone with half a brain would not even think of sending back a letter with their SS#, date of birth and signature to ANY company. Are they crazy? Can you say identity theft?