Your Credit Report
WHY SHOULD YOU GET YOUR CREDIT REPORT?
Your lender, your vendors, even your prospective employers can get a copy of your credit report if you sign an application that gives them permission. You can be denied a loan, a job, insurance, or credit based on what is on your credit report.
It may contain errors. It may show you that your credit behavior needs some work.
Get a copy of your credit report before a prospective resource does. You can correct errors. You can prepare written explanations of why your debts were not paid in a timely fashion, or not paid at all (you may have lost your job, been ill, or gone through a divorce). You can begin to change your credit behavior right now to prepare for the future.
HOW TO GET YOUR CREDIT REPORT.
If within the last 60 days you are the victim of credit fraud, are unemployed and looking for work, or are a welfare recipient, you are entitled to get a free copy of your credit report.
If you have been denied credit, insurance or a job in the last 60 days based on a credit report received by a lender, insurance agency or employer, you can get a free copy of your credit report within 60 days of the amount of time from the date of denial until you request your credit report.
Each of the three major reporting agencies keeps its own records, which could differ slightly, so request a copy from each. You can get your credit report by ordering on the internet or buy writing to a credit-reporting agency. To find out how to get your credit report from each of the three major reporting agencies, call or visit the web addresses below:
Experian – (888)-397-3742
http://www.experian.com/product/consumer/index.html
Trans Union – (800)-888-4213
http://www.transunion.com/CreditReport/CreditFileInfo.asp
Equifax – (800)-685-1111
These agencies require a request in writing if you order by mail. By calling the numbers above, the agency will provide you with specific instructions for a written request, which generally includes the following:
A copy of your Letter ofCredit Denial, or the Name of the Company that Denied You
Your First, Middle initial, and Last Name, include Generations (i.e., Jr., III.)
Current and Previous Home Addresses, include apartment number, zip code
Social Security Number
Date of Birth
Current Phone Number
A copy of your Driver’s License or a Current Utility Bill to verify your address
Your signature
You and your spouse should request separate credit reports.
Some communities have Credit Bureaus that may also obtain your credit report for you.
The Federal Trade Commission provides consumer information about credit and publishes a number of free brochures. You can send for copies of Women and Credit Histories, Fair Credit Reporting, Credit Billing Errors? Use FCBA, Solving Credit Problems. Fix your own Credit Problems & Save Money, Credit and Divorce, or Bestsellers, which lists a variety of publications on credit and other consumer topics