U.S. Consumers Tell TransUnion’s TrueCredit.com How They Would Spend Economic Stimulus Package Rebat

Congress' proposed tax rebates are intended to stimulate the economy, but how would consumers really use those "Stimulus Package" checks? TransUnion's TrueCredit.com commissioned Zogby International to survey Americans about their plans for any such rebates.

More than four in ten (42 percent) of respondents say they would pay down debt if they received a tax rebate, while 20 percent would save the money and 16 percent would buy something they consider necessary. Only 5 percent say they would splurge.

"While policymakers have expressed hope that consumers will spend the proposed rebates and help strengthen the economy, consumers seem more focused on their own credit health right now than on anything else," said Lucy Duni, director of Consumer Education for TransUnion's TrueCredit.com. "Adding to your savings is one thing that will certainly never go out of style and, as we tell consumers online, keeping credit card and other debt in check can really help tip the scales in your favor the next time you go in search of a home or car loan."

Methodology

Zogby International was commissioned by TransUnion's TrueCredit.com to conduct an online survey of 3036 adults from January 30 to February 1, 2008. A sampling of Zogby International's online panel, which is representative of the adult population of the US, was invited to participate. Slight weights were added region, party, age, race, religion, gender to more accurately reflect the population. The margin of error is +/- 1.8 percentage points. Margins of error are higher in sub-groups.

Since 1999, TransUnion's TrueCredit.com has helped millions of consumers manage their own credit health. Through a suite of educational materials, free monthly newsletters and easy-to-use products, the company helps consumers understand personal credit management and empowers them to achieve greater financial well-being. TrueCredit.com's online products include credit reports, credit and insurance scores, credit monitoring, debt management tools and identity theft insurance services. TrueCredit.com is the direct-to- consumer arm of Chicago-based TransUnion Interactive, a subsidiary of TransUnion, a global leader in credit and information management. Manage your credit. Manage your life.(SM) http://www.truecredit.com

For more information or to schedule an interview with Lucy Duni, contact Steven Katz, TransUnion, at 312.985.2373 (skatz@transunion.com) or Zachary Hastings Hooper, The Rosen Group, at 202.862.4355 (zachary@rosengrouppr.com).

Website: http://www.transunion.com/
Website: http://www.truecredit.com/