IRVINE, Calif., April 8, 2008 /PRNewswire/ -- An Experian Consumer Direct(SM) poll shows that more than half of Americans feel the recently signed $152 billion federal economic stimulus package is a short-term solution for the troubled U.S. economy, while 32 percent feel the package will cause more Americans to reinvest in the economy. The survey also gathered consumer attitudes regarding their 2007 federal income taxes.
When asked how consumers plan to use their rebate check from the federal economic stimulus package, 19 percent said they would pay off a debt, 16 percent said they would pay utility bills, and 10 percent said they would apply the proceeds toward home repairs.
"The current credit crunch has forced many consumers to reprioritize their spending habits and to more effectively manage their personal finances," said Ty Taylor, group president of Experian Interactive(SM). "This is evident in the survey results, as nearly 20 percent of Americans surveyed plan to use their federal economic stimulus package rebate to help pay off a debt."
In terms of 2007 income tax returns, 25 percent of respondents indicated they plan to use their refund to help pay off a debt, 15 percent said they would invest the proceeds, and 6 percent said they would use the refund for travel expenses.
"The results of the survey show that many Americans feel the economic stimulus package will have little impact on their personal financial situation," said Dr. David Algranati, director, Experian Research Services. "Sixty-two percent of those surveyed said they or their family would receive little or no benefit from the stimulus package, and only 15 percent of consumers expect it to cause them to increase their spending."
Other key survey findings include the following:
Economic stimulus package
-- 41 percent of consumers "strongly agree" that the economic stimulus
package is not enough to help distressed homeowners
-- 20 percent of respondents "disagree" that the stimulus package will
harm the U.S. economy by increasing the federal deficit
-- 16 percent of those surveyed said the effect of the stimulus package
will lead to an increase in consumer spending
2007 income tax return
-- Of those who have not currently filed a 2007 tax return, 8 percent
plan to file on April 15, while 4 percent plan to file for an
extension
-- 63 percent of those surveyed filed their tax return electronically,
while 48 percent of those who have not yet filed their return plan to
do so via U.S. mail
-- 9 percent plan to use their tax refund toward home repairs
Survey methodology
The Experian Consumer Direct and Experian Research Services survey was conducted March 6-12, 2008, and included 1,000 adults, age 18 and over, randomly selected from across the country. The sampling error is plus or minus three percentage points.
About Experian Consumer Direct
Experian Consumer Direct is part of Experian Interactive(SM) and a market leader for online credit reports, scores and monitoring products delivered directly to consumers through Web sites such as http://www.freecreditreport.com/ and http://www.familysecure.com/. Among its products, the business provides consumers with instant access to their credit report and credit score, plus credit monitoring products that monitor all three national credit reports daily and include identity theft insurance and fraud resolution. Experian Consumer Direct has established integrated, co- branded partnerships with leading online financial destinations that provide consumers with a broad range of comprehensive online financial products and information essential to managing one's financial life. For more information, visit http://www.experian.com/.
About Experian
Experian(R) is a global leader in providing information, analytical and marketing services to organizations and consumers to help manage the risk and reward of commercial and financial decisions. Combining its unique information tools and deep understanding of individuals, markets and economies, Experian partners with organizations around the world to establish and strengthen customer relationships and provide their businesses with competitive advantage. For consumers, Experian delivers critical information that enables them to make financial and purchasing decisions with greater control and confidence. Clients include organizations from financial services, retail and catalog, telecommunications, utilities, media, insurance, automotive, leisure, e-commerce, manufacturing, property and government sectors.
Experian Group Limited is listed on the London Stock Exchange (EXPN) and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 index. It has corporate headquarters in Dublin, Ireland, and operational headquarters in Costa Mesa, Calif., and Nottingham, UK. Experian employs approximately 15,500 people in 36 countries worldwide, supporting clients in more than 65 countries. Annual sales are in excess of $3.8 billion.
For more information, visit the Group's Web site at http://www.experiangroup.com/.
Experian and the marks used herein are service marks or registered trademarks of Experian Information Solutions, Inc. Other product and company names mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
Contact: Kelly Poffenberger
Experian Public Relations
1 949 567 7634
kelly.poffenberger@experian.com
Experian Consumer Direct
CONTACT: Kelly Poffenberger of Experian Public Relations, +1-949-567-7634, kelly.poffenberger@experian.com
Web site: http://www.experian.com/ http://www.experiangroup.com/
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