[nfb-talk] Captchas, a growing problem

[Elizabeth Campbell]

Hello Aaron,

I also had the same experience with lack of access when it came to trying to 
input the characters shown on the screen.  I thought the form was pretty 
accessible until that point.

I was in a hurry to get my credit reports, and a trusted sighted friend 
helped me read through them.  I ended up calling and ordering my reports via 
mail.

However, our lack of access to important online services such as banking or 
accessing our credit reports is essential.

I am not sure if the Federation is working on this issue or not, and it 
would be good to find out.

Thanks for bringing this topic to the list.

Sincerely,


Liz Campbell


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Aaron Cannon" <cannona at fireantproductions.com>
To: "NFB Talk Mailing List" <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, September 11, 2007 2:49 PM
Subject: [nfb-talk] Captchas, a growing problem


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>
> Hi all.
>
> This morning I attempted to get my free annual credit report from the big
> three credit reporting agencies.  I went to 
> http://www.anualcreditreport.com
> .
>
> The law says that each consumer is entitled to receive a free copy of 
> their
> personal credit report from all credit reporting agencies.
> AnualCreditReport.com describes its self as a "Site set up by the big 
> three
> credit reporting agencies in the United States, to furnish free annual
> credit reports, as required by federal law."
>
> While the form for requesting ones credit report obviously wasn't designed
> with the blind in mind, I found it usable, until I reached the end when 
> they
> asked me to enter the letters in an image.  There was no alternative
> available, at least not that I could find.
>
> Now, feeling rather frustrated, I went to their feedback page, so that I
> could politely remind them that not everyone can see images.  So, you can
> imagine my chagrin when I find that the feedback form also requires the
> completing of a visual captcha.
>
> Now, its one thing when a captcha prevents me from posting comments on a
> blog, but quite another when it prevents me from accessing my personal
> financial data, especially when such access is my right under federal law.
>
> I considered just biting the bullet and asking for sighted help, but I'm 
> not
> sure I know anyone I trust that much, as my social security number is
> visible on the same screen as the captcha, and more importantly, its the
> principle of the thing.
>
> Anyway, I don't know if the NFB has anything in the works to deal with 
> sites
> like these, but I think its something we should seriously consider.
>
> I'll have to think about it some, but I believe my next move will be to
> write to the address given on the web site (its a physical address and not
> an email address), explain the situation, and politely request that they
> provide me with an electronic copy of my credit reports.
>
> There is a phone number to request a paper copy as well, but obviously, 
> that
> would be less accessible and less secure than receiving an electronic 
> copy.
>
> I'll keep you all posted.
>
> Aaron
>
>
> - --
> Skype: cannona
> MSN/Windows Messenger: cannona at hotmail.com (don't send email to the 
> hotmail
> address.)
>
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