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To clear the pending requests from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) seeking registration under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=union+home+ministry&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Union home ministry</a> launched a special drive, with the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=FCRA&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">FCRA</a> division setting itself a one-month deadline to decide on the fate of 1,500 applications. 
 According to the sources in the <keyword id="6359327" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Home-Ministry">home ministry</keyword>, the <keyword id="3633661" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="FCRA-license-requests">FCRA license requests</keyword> were submitted through the manual route, date back to 2014 and 2015, before <keyword id="307144" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="FCRA">FCRA</keyword> clearances were made fully online. "The NGOs had been approaching the home ministry time and again enquiring about the status of their applications," said a home ministry officer. 
 
"Sometime around mid-August, the additional secretary of the foreigners division, which handles all FCRA dealings, asked his subordinates to ensure that the backlog of manual applications for fresh registration was cleared without further delay. They were asked to decide whether to grant or deny registration, and communicate the decision to the concerned NGOs," the officer added. 
 
Sources told that many requests had been deemed fit for rejection, and the focus is on not making the concerned applicants wait any longer for the final decision. 
 
An officer told <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=ET&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">ET</a>, "There is no point in keeping them hanging. Where the decision is a 'no', the officers have been asked to immediately convey it to the applicant NGO," 
 
The recent suspension of four officers of the foreigners division - including a joint secretary, two under-secretaries and a section officer, the staff is pushing hard to meet the deadline, though it expires in just over a week. 
 
A call for applications from retired assistant section officers for engagement as consultants has already been advertised by the home ministry on Tuesday to counter the manpower shortage. 
 
Because of the renewal of FCRA license of <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=zakir+naik&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Zakir </a><a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=zakir+naik&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Naik</a>'s NGO Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) through the automatic route, four officers of the foreigners division, including joint secretary G K Dwivedi, were suspended last week. 
 
The online renewal came even as proceedings were under way to put IRF on the 'prior permission' list, which requires all foreign funding to the NGO to be approved by the home ministry. Also, the Union home ministry is mulling declaring IRF an 'unlawful organization' for allegedly spreading communal hatred and carrying out forced conversions. 
 
(Image Credits: BCCL)

Home Ministry sets one month deadline to decide on the fate of 1500 NGO registrations

<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=greenpeace" target="_BLANK￿￿￿￿">Greenpeace India</a> is in angry mode and has accused Tamil Nadu government of suppressing <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=free+speech" target="_BLANK￿￿￿￿">free speech</a>. 
 
The NGO has claimed that Registrar of Societies in Tamil Nadu has cancelled its registration as a society, saying “government's clumsy tactics to suppress free speech was turning into a national and international embarrassment.” 
 "<keyword id="6356502" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Greenpeace-India">Greenpeace India</keyword> Society has just received notice from the Tamil Nadu Registrar of Societies, summarily announcing cancellation of its registration as a society," the NGO said in a statement. 
 
Greenpeace India said this move was an extension of the "deep intolerance" for differing viewpoints which the government was "harbouring" and asserted that it would again seek legal "redress". 
 
So much so, the NGO went on hit out at the government saying the notice was the latest assault on free speech in India. 
 
"The RoS is clearly acting under directions of the Home Ministry in Delhi, which has been trying to shut Greenpeace India down for over a year now. 
 
"The MHA's clumsy tactics to suppress free speech and dissenting voices are turning into a major national and international embarrassment for this government," said Vinuta Gopal, Interim Executive Director of Greenpeace India. 
 
It said for the last 18 months, Greenpeace India has endured repeated attempts at suppression through different government authorities. 
 
"This is an extension of the deep intolerance for differing viewpoints that sections of this government seem to harbour," Gopal said. 
 
It is worth mentioning that the Union home ministry had recently told Delhi high court that it cancelled the foreign contribution registration of the NGO as it was continuing to use its <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=FCRA" target="_BLANK￿￿￿￿">Foreign Contribution Registration Act</a> (FCRA) accounts despite the suspension of the same. 
 
(Image: Indiatimes)

Greenpeace India is very angry with Tamil Nadu govt, also spews venom at MHA. Here’s why

The centre is keeping no stones unturned to shut down the operations of NGO, Greenpeace that has been actively protesting against issues such as climate change, deforestation, overfishing, commercial whaling, genetic engineering. Having frozen bank accounts of Greenpeace and issuing a show-cause notice on April 9 this year, the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=mha">Ministry of Home Affairs(MHA)</a> has now cancelled the FCRA licence of the global <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=NGO">NGO</a>. 
 
"The Greenpeace legal team has learnt that the Ministry of Home Affairs has notified the Delhi high court that Greenpeace's FCRA registration has been cancelled. This news comes just a day before a scheduled hearing at the Delhi high court that was examining the merits of MHA's arbitrary action," the NGO's press statement said. 
 
Interim co-executive director of Greenpeace India, Vinuta Gopal, in the statement said that Greenpeace will continue its campaigning undeterred, and "is in fact launching a new creative campaign" to highlight the nationwide crackdown on civil liberties. 
"The cancelling of our FCRA registration is the government's latest move in a relentless onslaught against the community's right to dissent. It is yet another attempt to silence campaigns for a more sustainable future and transparency in public processes. Cutting access to our foreign <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=funding">funding</a> may be a desperate attempt to get us to cease our work, but the MHA probably didn't count on our having an amazing network of volunteers and supporters who have helped us continue our work despite the government crackdown. Since the majority of our funding comes from Indian citizens, most of our work can indeed continue. 
 
We are responding to this latest melodrama by launching a new creative online campaign and are confident that people will show they are ready to fight back in style, and send a clear message to those in power: you just can't muzzle dissent in a democracy," she added.

​Centre restricts Greenpeace from taking foreign funds, cancel FCRA license

After suspending the <keyword id="307144" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="FCRA">FCRA</keyword> registration of <keyword id="69355" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Greenpeace">Greenpeace</keyword> India and putting foreign donor <keyword id="57946" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Ford-Foundation">Ford Foundation</keyword> on the watchlist, the government has now cancelled the licences of 8,975 NGOs for failing to file annual returns for the years 2009-10, 2010-11 and 2011-12. 
 
In a cancellation order issued on Sunday, the Union home ministry recalled that it had issued notices to 10,343 NGOs on October 16, 2014, stating that they should file their annual returns within a month, specifying amount of foreign funds received, sources of such funds, the purpose for which these were received and the manner in which such foreign contribution was utilized. However, only 229 NGOs reverted to the home ministry. Their replies are being examined on case to case basis. 
 
"No reply has been received from the remaining associations numbering 8975," said the home ministry order communicated to the NGOs, district magistrates of the concerned districts where the NGOs are based and RBI. 
 
"..in exercise of the power conferred by Section 14 of the FCRA 2010, the Central government hereby cancels, for violation of Section 18 thereof, read with Rule 17(2) of Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Rule, 2011, the certificate of registration of 8975 associations...which includes 510 associations to whom notices were sent but returned undelivered and 632 associations from whom no reply has been received to the notices within the stipulated period," said the order.

Is this the complete truth? The govt cancelling licences of 8975
NGOs for not filing tax returns?

<ul class="summary-list"><li>There's a lot of bad financial advice on TikTok right now.</li><li>A financial expert spoke to Insider about scams she's seen on the platform.</li></ul>Finance is a huge topic on TikTok, and while there is some good advice to be found there, a lot is bad or a straight-up scam.Markia Brown, who is an accredited financial counselor, financial educator, and TikTok creator <a target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@themoneyplug.co?lang=en">with over 200,000 followers</a>, spoke to Insider about the issue.The worst, she said, were people offering easy escapes from debt, often in exchange for a fraudulent payment.She said early fall is high season for scammers, as their marks start planning their spending for the holiday period."The biggest thing right now is that people are trying to get their way out of debt so that they can ramp up their holiday spending," she said.Many people are struggling, she said, and will "fall for anything at this point that sounds like it could get them out of the bind that they're in."<h2>Sorry, you can't just decide your debt doesn't exist</h2>One of the worst scams now encourages people to simply pretend their debt can't be collected."I'm seeing a lot of videos of people saying, oh, you don't have to pay your debt. The government has to pay your debt," Brown said.That thinking is tied to the sovereignty-citizen conspiracy theory, where people believe they can reject government's authority over them and ignore the law."It's just a lot of gaslighting people," Brown said. "Obviously that's what they want to hear — they don't have the money to pay that stuff back in the first place. So if somebody tells you you don't have to, it's super attractive."These videos get a lot of traction, Brown added, but they are "very, very misleading and very, very illegal."Ignoring debts has severe consequences. First off, interest piles up and lenders add late fees.After 120 days, the debt is <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/what-is-debt-collection?r=US&amp;IR=T">likely to be sent off to a collections agency</a>. They are more aggressive than most lenders, sending letters, emails, and call to try and get the debt settled, while adding more fees.Going through this process will also tank a person's <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/what-is-a-credit-score">credit score</a>, making it harder to get loans, credit cards, or housing in future.The owner of the debt can also obtain a court order to be paid straight from your wages or bank account — though they are more likely to sue you.<h2>You also can't just "wipe" your credit score</h2>Brown said some people pose as financial experts and claim to be able to wipe your credit using the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) — for a fee.But there's nothing actually in that act that says you have a right to dispute anything that impacts your credit score.Another trick to look out for is people offering ways to get around debt, like by claiming they can get you approved by lenders who would usually reject you.These scams are usually marketed as selling a credit privacy number (CPN), said Brown, which is a number formatted just like a Social Security number. They are often used to hide bad credit history.These scammers claim they can essentially give you a new identity, which is illegal, and also doesn't work.Brown said these scams are attractive to people because they want to start over. They think their credit is too messed up to fix, and hope they can just wipe the slate clean."These scams do really well on social media because it just sounds too good to be true," she said.<h2>Fake loans, fake prizes</h2>Other scams to be on the lookout for include people posing as legitimate money lenders but who request a deposit to be paid upfront.They then disappear with the money. Other promote fake giveaways of cash or expensive prizes.Essentially, anything that requires you to put down money upfront should be treated with caution.Brown said the best way to approach any kind of financial advice online is to "trust but verify.""Trust that what I'm telling you is the truth, but take notes so that you can go and do the research yourself," she said. "There's nothing like being able to see that answer right in front of you for you to actually believe what somebody is saying."Social media shows you "what people want you to see," she added, so it's easy to lie and get away with it. So she recommends people turn to agencies such as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Federal Trade Commission if they are in doubt."If you fact check it with them, then you'll know who to trust and who not to trust," she said.

TikTok is rife with scams promising to fix your credit score or wipe your debt, finance expert warns &mdash; here are 3

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Since the start of the pandemic, Americans have been able to access free weekly credit reports.</li><li>Consumers were previously entitled to one annual credit report from each of the three major bureaus.</li></ul>During the earliest days of the coronavirus pandemic in April 2020, the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — <a href="https://www.experianplc.com/media/latest-news/2020/equifax-experian-and-transunion-announce-free-weekly-credit-reports-to-help-americans-in-response-to-covid-19/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> that they would offer free weekly credit reports in response to the public health emergency.Before 2020, consumers were legally entitled to one free yearly credit report from each of the three bureaus at <a href="https://www.annualcreditreport.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">annualcreditreport.com</a>, but the pandemic-related change was extended through 2021 and 2022, and has also been extended through December 2023.However, with President Joe Biden <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/biden-to-end-covid-19-emergency-declarations-on-may-11-white-house-says-11675120593" target="_blank" rel="noopener">set to end</a> the COVID-19 national and public health emergencies in May, the future of free weekly reports remains up in the air.Why is it so important for consumers to continue having such a resource? And what can be done to keep free weekly reports for consumers in a post-pandemic world?<h2>Even with weekly reports, nearly a half million consumer complaints</h2>In the wake of the pandemic, the availability of weekly credit reports has aided Americans in monitoring their credit histories, but the three credit bureaus are still the subject of complaints from many consumers.The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), the US government agency created in 2010 to protect consumers against financial malfeasance, stated in a January 2023 <a href="https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/documents/cfpb_fcra-611-e_report_2023-01.pdf">report</a> that from October 2021 to September 2022, it had sent over 488,000 consumer complaints to the three major credit bureaus."Even when consumers are successful in having their complaint addressed, complaints call into question the underlying data contained in consumers' credit reports," the report read. "Through the CFPB's complaint process, the CFPB frequently encounters consumers who attempt to have inaccurate information corrected only to have different outcomes at each of the NCRAs [nationwide consumer reporting agencies] or the wrong information changed."The CFPB report did identify improvements that were made by the credit reporting agencies, namely that most consumers have begun to receive substantive responses after addressing complaints, while there has also been a sharp increase in "more tailored complaint responses" and higher rates of relief to individual complaints.But many consumers have continued to register their grievances with the CFPB.Ed Mierzwinski, the senior director of the federal consumer program at the US Public Interest Research Group, a consumer advocacy organization, told Insider that the big three credit bureaus are "the No. 1 complaint at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.""What are the complaints? 'They made a mistake and they didn't listen to me when I said to fix it.' So the credit bureaus are in a big fight with the consumer bureau over this issue," he said.<h2>Credit reports are a relatively recent phenomenon with an enormous amount of power</h2>In 1970, the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) was passed, putting into place legislation intended to advance the accuracy and privacy of personal information contained in the files of credit reporting agencies.Over the next 30 years, advances in technology, notably the exponential growth of the internet in the 1990s, prompted policymakers to consider additional changes to the existing law. Consumer groups and many lawmakers were also alarmed by the difficulties that consumers faced in finding errors in their respective credit reports, along with the growing issue of identity theft, which was becoming increasingly prevalent in the digital age.<div type="image" title="Biden" height="683" width="1024" msid="97825777" hostid="261" sizebytes="27782"></div>In December 2003, the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACTA) was signed into law by then-President George W. Bush as an amendment to the FCRA, affording Americans a free yearly credit report from the three major bureaus through the aforementioned Annual Credit Report website. The act also sought to tackle the proliferation of identity theft, which in 2002 had cost US lenders at least $1 billion, <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna3078480" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according to NBC News</a>.Navigating the credit reporting system in the United States requires skill and often a good deal of patience. Applying for a credit card? Your score better be in great shape, or you could get a higher interest rate. If you're shopping for a mortgage, an excellent score could land you a lower interest rate for a home, while even a good score with one negative mark on your report can lead to rejection. Many consumers have had inaccurate information posted on their reports, unknowingly dragging down their scores before being forced to file disputes that can take weeks to resolve.In the years leading up to the pandemic, identity theft had not only become more prevalent, but many consumers still had issues navigating the credit reporting system, a problem made worse by the limitation of getting just one free annual report from each of the three major credit bureaus.<h2>Lots of people want to completely overhaul the flawed and costly system</h2>In 2020, the House of Representatives, at the time controlled by Democrats, passed both the <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/3621/text" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Comprehensive Credit Act of 2020</a> and the <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/5332">Protecting Your Credit Score Act of 2020</a>.The Comprehensive Credit Act, sponsored by Rep. Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts, would have established an appeals process for credit report disputes, offered free credit reports and scores to consumers disputing items on their respective reports, and expedited the process for withdrawing information about debt that was paid off, among other reforms. Meanwhile, the Protecting Your Score Act, introduced by Rep. Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey, would have created a central online portal giving Americans free credit scores and implemented a credit reporting ombudsman at the CFPB, among other measures.<div type="image" title="Consumer Finanial Protection Bureau" height="2656" width="3992" msid="97825781" hostid="261" sizebytes="563956"></div>But the bills were never taken up by the Senate, which at the time was run by then-Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky.In May 2021, attorney Chi Chi Wu of the National Consumer Law Center appeared before the House Financial Services Committee, where she <a href="https://www.nclc.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Testimony_HFSC_OI_credit_reporting.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">floated</a> moving away from the three-credit-bureau system and putting into place a public credit registry."While public agencies are far from perfect, at least they would not have profit-making as their top priority," Wu told the committee. "They would be responsive to public pressure and government oversight." Democratic Rep. Maxine Waters of California, who chaired the panel at the time, said during the hearing that a public credit reporting agency "would be a major upgrade over today's broken, biased credit reporting system."Consumer advocates stress that not only should credit reports be easily accessible but that Americans should be able to scrutinize the information contained in credit reports."The marginal costs of them sending you these reports is virtually nothing," Mierzwinski told Insider."You should have the right to audit information that a company is selling without your consent to make sure that it's true. That's why credit reports should always be free," he added.

The pandemic ushered in free weekly credit reports for Americans. Unless the government acts soon, that's over.

<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image">David Lees/Getty Images</div></div></div><ul class="summary-list"><li>Your credit report is a detailed log of all of your lines of credit and credit-based activity, like <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-prepare-credit-for-a-mortgage">taking out a mortgage loan</a> or <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-rewards-credit-cards">opening a credit card</a>.</li><li>There are three credit bureaus, each of which create their own report - Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion - and use it to help lenders decide whether you're a good candidate for credit.</li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/checking-credit-fixed-error-raised-credit-score-2019-7">Credit reporting mistakes</a> happen, though, and they could cause serious problems - like the inability to qualify for financing. </li><li>For that reason, you should get in the habit of regularly <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-get-free-credit-report-check-credit">checking your three credit reports</a>. Ideally, you'd do this at least once a quarter if not once a month.</li><li>Checking your credit reports frequently puts you in a position to react quickly when and if fraud or credit reporting errors occur. </li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/yourmoney?utm_source=bullet">Read more personal finance coverage.</a></li></ul>Your credit report is a detailed log of all of your lines of credit and credit-based activitly, like taking out a mortgage loan or opening a credit card. There are three credit bureaus, each of which create their own report - Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion - and use it to help lenders decide whether you're a good candidate for credit.These credit reports can have a significant impact on your overall financial picture. With good credit, you may be able to secure lower interest rates on financing and save money every month. Good credit can make it easier to get approved for the things you need, too, like an <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-rent-an-apartment-with-bad-credit">apartment lease</a>, mortgage, or <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-finance-a-car-buying-guide">auto loan</a>. Because your credit reports are so important, it can be a big deal when mistakes and errors happen. If a credit reporting mistake occurs, it could cost you more money or make it difficult to secure housing, transportation, and sometimes even job opportunities.Here's the good news. You have rights when it comes to credit reporting. Namely, the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) gives you the right to expect fair and accurate information to show up on your credit reports. But you also have responsibilities under the FCRA. If mistakes occur (and they often do), it's up to you to <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-dispute-credit-report-improve-credit">contact the credit bureaus with a dispute</a>. But first, you'll probably need to check copies of all three of your credit reports to find out what's on them. <h2>How often should I check my credit report? </h2>Credit reporting errors happen more frequently than many people realize. A <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/sites/default/files/documents/reports/section-319-fair-and-accurate-credit-transactions-act-2003-fifth-interim-federal-trade-commission/130211factareport.pdf">Federal Trade Commission study</a> found that one in five Americans has an error on a credit report. The best way to discover whether you have credit reporting errors is to check your three reports from Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian. The FCRA gives you the right to claim a free copy of each of your credit reports from all three credit bureaus once every 12 months. To exercise this right, visit <a href="https://www.annualcreditreport.com/index.action">AnnualCreditReport.com</a>. But if you want to make sure that your credit reports stay accurate, checking them once every 12 months isn't nearly enough. You should check your credit reports at least once a quarter, and once a month is probably best. <h2>Where can I check my credit report?</h2>When you plan to check your credit reports quarterly or monthly, you'll need to find other ways to access your information. While AnnualCreditReport.com is a great place to access your reports, the number of free reports you may be able to claim each year is limited to one from each bureau. You can also check some version of your credit reports through:<ul><li>Credit Karma: free credit reports and scores from Equifax and TransUnion</li><li>Experian: free Experian credit report with available upgrades</li><li>My Credit Guide from American Express: free credit report and score from TransUnion, whether or not you're an Amex cardholder</li><li>myEquifax: free Equifax credit reports per year; additional reports and services may be available for a fee</li><li>Credit.com: free Experian credit report snapshot</li><li>Bankrate: free TransUnion credit report and score</li></ul>In addition to the resources above, you may be entitled to more free credit reports under the following circumstances:<ul><li>You're a victim of identity theft</li><li>You receive public assistance</li><li>You're unemployed</li><li>You were denied for credit or insurance in the last 60 days</li></ul>All three of the major credit reporting agencies also provide <a href="https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2019/10/free-electronic-credit-monitoring-coming-soon-military">free electronic credit monitoring services</a> to active-duty service members and National Guard members as of October 31, 2019.<h2>Should I pay to monitor my credit?</h2>Some companies - including <a href="http://www.dpbolvw.net/click-6415797-12791774?sid=bipfi_how-often-should-i-check-my-credit-report" rel="nofollow">Experian</a>, <a href="https://www.equifax.com/personal/products/identity-theft-protection/">Equifax</a>, and <a href="http://www.kqzyfj.com/click-8246993-13260496" rel="nofollow">TransUnion</a> - offer fee-based credit monitoring services, as well. These services commonly range from around $10 to $35 per month. (Note that <a href="https://creditkarma.myi4.net/mBKB7" rel="nofollow">Credit Karma</a> offers credit monitoring for free.)With so many free ways to claim your credit reports and scores, you might wonder why anyone would ever pay to access or monitor their credit reports. But if you can afford the extra cost without putting any strain on your budget, fee-based credit monitoring may come with some perks you'd enjoy, such as: <ul><li>More information: AnnualCreditReport.com will provide you with detailed data about the accounts that appear on your three credit reports. Reports obtained directly from the credit bureau will likely do the same. However, the reports you access from other free websites might only provide you with summaries of the information found in your credit files. When you pay for credit monitoring, the reports you receive often contain more detailed information.</li><li>Three-bureau credit reports and scores at once: Visiting multiple websites to access your three credit reports and scores can be time-consuming. Some, though not all, fee-based credit monitoring services combine all three of your reports and scores into one convenient report. Not only that, but you may also be able to view an updated copy of your three reports and scores as often as once a month. (Offers vary. Be sure to carefully review the terms and conditions of any service before you sign up.)</li><li>Three-bureau credit monitoring: Depending on the credit monitoring service you select, you may receive a notification when something changes about your credit. These changes might include new credit inquiries, new negative information, or movement in your credit scores. If you sign up for three-bureau credit monitoring, the service might help you monitor your reports from Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian.</li><li>Identity theft insurance: Some fee-based credit monitoring services come with identity theft insurance. Identity theft insurance can help cover some of the costs associated with identity theft if this crime ever happens to you. For example, as a victim, you might be able to file a claim for expenses related to credit monitoring services, legal fees, lost wages, and more. Be sure to read the terms and conditions of any policy before you sign up so you can understand what type of protection it may provide.</li><li>FICO credit scores: Most credit scores provided through free credit monitoring services are VantageScore credit scores. <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-is-a-good-credit-score">VantageScore</a> is gaining ground and becoming more relevant with each passing year. Still, the fact remains that 90% of top lenders use <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-is-a-fico-score-how-is-it-calculated">FICO Scores</a> when making lending decisions. Some fee-based credit monitoring services, such as myFICO, offer you a chance to review your FICO credit scores each month.</li></ul>Frequently checking all three of your credit reports is a wise habit to create. You don't have to pay for a credit monitoring service if you don't want to do so. Yet it's crucial to look through your credit reports for errors regularly. Even if you pay for credit monitoring services, you should manually go over your three reports yourself from time to time. Credit monitoring won't stop someone from stealing your personal information. It won't prevent a thief from opening a fraudulent account in your name, either. (Though, a <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-freeze-your-credit-fraud-identity-theft">credit freeze</a> may help with that situation.) Yet routine credit report reviews can allow you to discover if fraud or credit reporting mistakes occur. Once you know there's a problem; you can take action quickly to try to fix it.<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/author/michelle-lambright-black">Michelle Lambright Black</a>, founder of CreditWriter.com and HerCreditMatters.com, is a leading credit expert with over a decade and a half of experience in the credit industry. She's an expert on credit reporting, credit scoring, identity theft, budgeting, and debt eradication.<h3>Related coverage from <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/category/personal-finance-how-to">How to Do Everything: Money</a></h3><ul><li><h3><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-read-a-credit-report-check-score">How to read a credit report to find out if you're in good standing</a></h3></li><li><h3><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-help-child-build-credit-without-co-signing">How to help your child establish credit without co-signing for a loan or credit card</a></h3></li><li><h3><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/is-credit-karma-safe-what-you-need-to-know-before-signing-up">Is Credit Karma safe? What you need to know before signing up</a></h3></li><li><h3><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-is-a-hard-inquiry-credit-report">What is a hard inquiry? It dings your credit score every time you want to borrow money, but it's not a bad thing</a> </h3></li></ul>Disclosure: This post is brought to you by the Personal Finance Insider team. We occasionally highlight financial products and services that can help you make smarter decisions with your money. We do not give investment advice or encourage you to adopt a certain investment strategy. What you decide to do with your money is up to you. If you take action based on one of our recommendations, we get a small share of the revenue from our commerce partners. This does not influence whether we feature a financial product or service. We operate independently from our advertising sales team. <div class="margin-top"> <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-happens-when-run-marathon-2017-5">4 terrible things that happen to your body when you run a marathon</a></h3> <div> </div> </div>

How often should I check my credit report? Once a year probably isn't enough

The <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Central+Bureau+of+Investigation+%28CBI%29+">Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)</a> is likely to probe the case of alleged violation of various sections of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) by the Indian arm of global NGO <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Greenpeace">Greenpeace</a>. The <keyword id="6359327" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="Home-Ministry">Home Ministry</keyword> has approached CBI to set an inquiry against the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=NGO">NGO</a>. 
 
There may be divergent views within the ministry on the nature of probe to be ordered as even financial investigative agencies can carry out such probes. 
 However, it is reportedly said that the CBI probe is being justified on the ground that there is a need to investigate the proceeds of bank accounts used by <keyword id="6356502" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Greenpeace-India">Greenpeace India</keyword>. There is also a need to probe about the circulation of money across various accounts and then allegedly parking them in fixed deposits. 
 
The <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Home+Ministry+">Home Ministry</a> on September 2 had cancelled Greenpeace's FCRA registration citing alleged violations. "We have taken steps against Greenpeace India for FCRA violations, but during inspections we also came across other loopholes, which can be probed further only by a competent investigative agency. Also, there is an alternate opinion that the NGO could be given another chance and asked to rectify them," said an official familiar with the matter. 
 
Moreover, in its licence cancellation order, the ministry recorded that a Greenpeace representative was called personally "to explain the details of entries and transaction pertaining to source of FDRs (fixed deposit receipts) on August 19. However, instead of clarifying, the representative preferred to reply that they have already answered the queries at different forum". 
 
On Wednesday, the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Madras+High+Court+">Madras High Court</a> granted an interim stay for eight weeks on the cancellation of the NGO's registration under FCRA. "We are confident that we have a strong legal case to demonstrate that the MHA is acting without any justification," said Vinuta Gopal, co-executive director of Greenpeace India. 
 
The home ministry said it will study the order and appeal against the same. 
 
If a CBI inquiry is instituted against Greenpeace, it will be the second such case of alleged FCRA violation entrusted to the probe agency. 
 Earlier, the Home Ministry had ordered an inquiry into the affairs of Gujarat-based activist <keyword id="124413" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Teesta-Setalvad">Teesta Setalvad</keyword>'s NGO Sabrang Communications. CBI later registered an FIR against Setalvad and her husband and carried out raids. 
 
 Greenpeace India has been charged with transfer of funds from its designated FCRA accounts to other accounts and underreporting of receipts of overseas funding. 
 
(Image: Indiatimes)

Greenpeace is getting into further trouble! An investigation by the CBI can’t be easy

Indian companies with <keyword id="58959" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Foreign-investors">foreign investors</keyword> who carry out Corporate Social Responsibility (<keyword id="6354502" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="CSR">CSR</keyword>) programs are now being scrutinized by the government. The companies reportedly are increasing stinging activities in the grey areas among their CSR contributors. 
 Companies with more than 50% foreign shareholders make donations to NGOs that have obtained Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) clearance. Organizations like <keyword id="6354512" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Infosys">Infosys</keyword>, HDFC, ICICI and Hindustan Liver have started their own foundations under the CSR project. 
 
As per a report published in ET, many companies like ICICI await clarifications from the government in this grey area. In March 2015, ICICI’s foreign shareholding was 41.23% and in the past, it crossed the foreign shareholding cap under FCRA of 50%. The bank, which spends over 2% of its profit in CSR in skills development, livelihood, health, and elementary education, does not give grants to NGOs but to its Foundation, which in turn partners with NGOs. 
 "<keyword id="6653" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="ICICI-bank">ICICI Bank</keyword> doesn't invest in <keyword id="339601" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="ICICI-Foundation">ICICI Foundation</keyword> — it is a donation and contribution for social causes. In that perspective, we made a representation two to three years ago to the ministry of corporate affairs about not putting us under the purview of FCRA, but there has been no response," says Chinmay Sengupta, COO, ICICI Bank Foundation.

CSR input of Indian companies with foreign shareholders to get distressed

The Government of India is closely monitoring Non-Governmental Organisations (<keyword id="6397455" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="NGOs">NGOs</keyword>) and it cancelled registrations of as many as 10,117 NGOs for violating norms. 
 In a written reply to <keyword id="6355187" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="Lok-Sabha">Lok Sabha</keyword>, Minister of State for Home Affairs <keyword id="638723" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Kiren-Rijiju">Kiren Rijiju</keyword> stated that the ministry froze accounts of 34 associations, prohibited 69 associations from receiving foreign contribution and placed 16 foreign donor agencies including <keyword id="57946" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="40" keywordseo="Ford-Foundation">Ford Foundation</keyword> under the Prior Permission category, while elucidating seven major kinds of violations by the NGOs. 
 
The Government added that a fine was nearly Rs 52 lakh on 24 associations was imposed for receiving and using foreign contribution without any registration and prior permission. 
 Rijiju said that Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) wing of the <keyword id="6359327" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="Home-Ministry">Home Ministry</keyword> had conducted 129 inspections on NGOs last year and 36 inspections this year. 
 
"The violations noticed in the majority of cases were: clubbing foreign contribution account with domestic accounts i.e. failure to maintain exclusive accounts as required by FCRA, failure to submit annual accounts within the stipulated period, transfer of foreign contribution to unregistered NGOs, utilization of foreign contribution amount for the purposes different from the grant or different from the objectives of the recipient NGO, registration of assets from foreign contribution in the individual names of office bearers rather than in the name of NGO, utilization of more than 50% of foreign contribution received in a financial year on administrative expenses and change of more than 50% of the office bearers without prior approval," the Home Ministry has listed before the Parliament. 
 Regarding Teesta Setalvad case, Rijiju mentioned that Setalvad was associated with two NGOs -- Citizen for Justice and Peace and <keyword id="6388860" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="40" keywordseo="Sabrang-Trust">Sabrang Trust</keyword> (both FCRA registered NGOs) -- and Sabrang Trust was funded by the Ford Foundation. 
 
"There are inputs from security agencies that some amounts have been credited from Ford Foundation to some NGOs which are not registered under FCRA Act. Hence, to keep a watch on such recipients, the credits from Ford Foundation has been kept under prior permission category," Rijiju said. 
 
The Gujarat government has sought probe in alleged misuse of Ford Foundation funds by Teesta. 
 
(Image: Reuters)

It’s war! The Indian Government and NGOs are fighting it out in the ring

The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) is getting more vigilant over foreign funding to Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and has asked the home ministry to tighten rules of Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA). 
 
Acting on the instructions, the home ministry will scrutinise foreign-funded NGOs based on recommendations of Intelligence Bureau. 
 
The home ministry expedited its review of FCRA rules after the PM's Principal Secretary Nripendra Misra wrote to Home Secretary LC Goyal asking him to put a mechanism in place "without any delay" to monitor foreign funding of NGOs. 
 
The PMO wants to put in place new measures by June 15 in the interest of India's "economic security", officials told Economic Times, explaining the urgency of the matter. The FCR rules were brought in by the Congress-led Indian government after FCRA was enacted in 2010. 
 
Under the proposed changes, NGOs may have to provide details of all foreign funding within two days to ensure transparency. 
 
"NGOs would be mandated to have a website on which they will be required to put out the details of each foreign inflow for public viewing within 48 hours of receiving the funds. This will include the source of funds, the intended activity for which the funds are expected to be used and the details of its partner NGOs in that specific project," a senior government official told ET. Annual audited reports for previous years should also be made public, the official said. 
 
The official added that the 'oversight' part of the new measures would allow the government to keep close tabs on NGOs through stricter checks and inspections. 
 
A senior ministry official told ET that the PMO communication to home ministry had stressed the "need for effective linkage between MHA, Reserve Bank of India and banks for effective monitoring" of NGOs. 
 The move comes amid criticism faced by PM Narendra Modi over his clamp down on foreign-funded NGOs. The US-based <keyword id="57946" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Ford-Foundation">Ford Foundation</keyword>, one of the biggest non-profit organisations across the world, was put on a watch list by home ministry. 
 
(Image: PIB)

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