This is a general response to some misunderstandings and criticisms received regarding the recently released PERC report U.S. Consumer Credit Reporting: Measuring Accuracy and Dispute Impacts.

This report assesses the accuracy and quality of data collected and maintained by the three major nationwide Consumer Reporting Agencies (CRAs): Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. The study enabled consumers to review their credit reports and credit scores from one or more of the three CRAs, to identify potential inaccuracies, and to file disputes as necessary through the consumer dispute resolution process governed by the FCRA, and to report on their satisfaction with the dispute outcome.  The impact of the disputes is measured through credit score and credit risk tier changes.

This report examines five cases of small businesses and the self-employed that received small business aid from an LDRF funded Community Development Organization (CDO).

This report examines the continuing impact of Hurricane Katrina and other disasters on small businesses and the self-employed in Louisiana. Primary to this research was an examination of the impacts of aid received from the Community Development Organizations (CDOs) funded in part by the Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation (LDRF) as well as aid received from other sources. It also examines the extent of existing unmet needs of small businesses in Louisiana. For this research PERC surveyed over 1,600 small business operators and analyzed data from tens of thousands of Experian small business credit files.