Free Credit Bureau Report

Carrie Reeder asked:




Ready to apply for a mortgage loan? Thinking about getting a new credit card? Before you do, you may want to review a copy of your credit report to ensure that all your information is accurate. And, fortunately, there are quite a few ways to obtain a free copy of your credit report. Here’s how:

Make a phone call

There are three major credit reporting bureaus: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. They are legally required to provide you with a copy of your credit report–for free!–once a year. And obtaining your report can be as simple as making a phone call! Just do an Internet search to find the phone numbers of the three credit reporting bureaus, and call each one individually. In most cases you’ll give your information to an automated voice mail service, and in no time at all your reports will be delivered to your mailbox.

Write a letter

Don’t trust the automated voice mail system? Need your request in writing for paperwork reasons? When you search online for the three credit bureaus’ information, look for a snail mail address. In most cases, you can simply send a letter that includes all your basic information–name, address, social security number, phone number and previous addresses. Ask for a copy of your credit report. Although this process takes a little longer than a phone call–because you have to wait for the postal service–you should still have your credit reports in a relatively short amount of time.

Go online!

The quickest and easiest way to get your free credit report is to go online. You can either access your reports directly through the credit reporting bureau, or you can find a website that consolidates these reports into one. Either way, you’ll get your information instantly–no waiting! You can print out your report so that you can review it at your leisure.

Try using one of ABC Loan Guide’s Recommended Companies For a Free Credit Report Online.

No matter which method you choose for obtaining your credit report, remember: it should be free once a year. However, you may have to pay a small fee if you want your credit score, too.

Sherry

Alexander Wright asked:




A consumer credit report is a limited record of your personal information as it relates to your consumer credit activities. It is primarily used by lenders and creditors to determine your credit reputation or credit worthiness when deciding to extend you credit or grant you a loan. Although numerous smaller credit reporting agencies (CRAs) exist, there are only three major credit reporting agencies (CRAs) that are widely accepted; TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian. The consumer credit report is separated into a few major categories with the most common being Credit History, Public Records, Collection Accounts, Inquiries, and Personal Information.

The Credit History section displays some of the most common information that you would expect to see on a consumer credit report such as real estate mortgages, credit cards, lines of credit, personal loans, and auto loans. While displaying some of the most common information that you might expect to see such as the account name and account number of each account, this section of the consumer credit report also displays the status of each account and whether it is current or past due in payment. This section of the consumer credit report goes into further detail by displaying the balance, minimum payment due, and payment history of each account.

The Collection Account section of the consumer credit report displays information on accounts that have been charged off by the creditor and sent to collection agencies. The collection name and collection number should be exhibited along with the original creditor’s information. It should also exhibit the date in which the account was charged-off and sent to collection along with the dollar figure the collection agency is seeking to recover.

The Public Records section of the consumer credit report is reserved for county and state court records & displays such items as foreclosures, bankruptcies, judgments, and tax liens. While numerous consumers do not have items that fall into this category, it is not uncommon for this section to be missing from the consumer credit report. Foreclosures, judgments, bankruptcies, and tax liens/civil liens are considered to be some of the most derogatory items that can be found on a consumer credit report. They have a very serious negative impact on the consumers credit score and a tremendous influence on a creditors or lenders decision to issue credit or grant a loan.

The Personal Information section of the consumer credit report consists of numerous items such as your full name, current and previous addresses, any known aliases, social security number, year of birth, current & past employers. If available and available, this section will also exhibit similar information about your spouse.

As some of the terms used in this article may be unfamiliar to you, I have listed numerous terms and their corresponding definition below in order to help you understand the common consumer credit report.

Credit Report: A complex report containing the credit history of a consumer. A consumer’s credit report is generated by a credit reporting agency and contains information provided by the consumer’s present and past creditors to be used in determining the consumer’s credit worthiness.

Credit Reporting Agency: Credit reporting agencies, often referred to as credit bureaus, are companies that collect, manage, and report information received from creditors and collection agencies regarding the individual consumer. The three largest and most commonly known credit reporting agencies are: TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian. Many consumers believe these companies to be official government entities, which is a common misconception. In fact, they are for-profit companies.

Collection Account: A debt that is considered to be a loss or expense by the creditor. The creditor will attempt collecting that debt through the use of an internal collection department, outsource the account to a contracted collection agency, or sell the debt to a third party for a reduced price.

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy: The most common form of consumer bankruptcy, Chapter 7 Bankruptcy typically releases a debtor from any and all liability for the credit accounts included in a bankruptcy. In exchange, the debtor must usually forfeit some personal property. A Chapter 7 bankruptcy remains on the debtors consumer credit report for 10 years.

Chapter 11 Bankruptcy: Although Chapter 11 Bankruptcy is normally used for businesses, it can be used by consumers in specific rare cases involving extremely large debt. However, Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 can be much simpler and provide better protection for most consumers.

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy: Chapter 13 is a type of consumer bankruptcy under which the debtor does not forfeit personal property. Rather, the consumer agrees to a three- to five-year wage earner plan to repay all or part of their debt. A Discharged Chapter 13 bankruptcy remains on a consumer credit report for 7 years from the date filed. An Open or Dismissed Chapter 13 bankruptcy remains on a consumer credit report for 10 years from the date filed.

Foreclosure: The legal process by which a creditor may sell mortgaged property to recover a defaulted mortgage.

Judgment: A determination by a court of law that, in the case of credit, may require a person to satisfy or pay a debt.

Tax Lien: A charge upon real or personal property for the satisfaction of debts related to taxes.

Civil Lien: A charge upon real or personal property for the satisfaction of some debt or duty ordinarily arising by operation of law.

Inquiry: An instance in which all or part of your credit file is accessed by a company or individual. Inquiries stay on your consumer credit report for not more than two years.

Geraldine

Bob Pering asked:




The derogatory credit information section in your credit report lists all the items that negatively affect your credit rating. It is this section that is given the most attention by creditors and lending agencies.

The most damaging types of credit information are bankruptcies and foreclosures. These items can be reported on your credit report for up to 10 years.

The second most damaging types of credit information are accounts that have gone to collections. Any account sent to collections affects your overall credit score in the worst way.

A collection account can stay on your report for seven years from the date of last activity In actual practice, collection accounts are often sold to another agency at the end of the seven year cycle, which creates another activity, which means the seven year reporting cycle starts all over again.

Other derogatory information in your credit report includes accounts that show a slow payment history and/or past due accounts. Unpaid student loans, judgments, and unpaid medical bills also show up here.

How to Handle Derogatory Credit Information

Derogatory information can be disputed when it is inaccurate. If, for example, you can prove you made a payment on time, when it has been reported otherwise, you should be able to have the error corrected.

Disputing errors is done by sending copies of your documentation to the credit bureau via certified mail. Once the agency receives the dispute, they must contact the lender for verification of accuracy. If the lender does not respond to the dispute within 30 days, the credit bureau must assume your dispute was accurate and remove the disputed item from your credit report.

A way to handle derogatory credit information in your credit reports when the lender will not remove it is to send a written explanation of the circumstances regarding the item. You are allowed by law to submit a 100 word explanation of the problem to the credit bureau, which then becomes a part of your credit report.

The derogatory credit information section in your credit report lists all the items that negatively affect your credit rating. It is this section that is given the most attention by creditors and lending agencies.

Brian

Bob Pering asked:




Deleting bad credit items on your credit report is definitely a worthwhile pursuit. It is possible to improve your credit scores anywhere from 100 to 200 points or more, by removing derogatory information from your credit reports.

The first step is to review your reports so you know where the problems are. Start by getting copies of your reports from the three major credit bureaus. The three bureaus are Equifax, Experian, and Transunion.

If you have not taken advantage of your free annual credit report this year, contact Annual Credit Report or phone 1-877-322-8228. You can also mail your request to: Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281.

If you have already received your free reports for this year, contact the three bureaus individually for your reports. You will be required to pay a small fee for each report.

Experian PO Box 740241 Atlanta, GA 30374

Equifax PO Box 2002 Allen, TX 75013

Transunion PO Box 2000 Chester, PA 19022

The next step is to review them carefully, looking for errors, omissions, and inaccurate items. Make note of all you find. First check the spelling of your name and verify that the addresses they show you’ve lived at are correct.

Then look for items that are incorrect or inaccurate. Pay particular attention to: derogatory items still showing even though they should have dropped off your report by now (most derogatory items can only be reported for seven years, bankruptcies for ten years). Also look for accounts that do not belong to you and accounts that show a balance due even though they have been paid off.

Deleting any bad credit items you discover is done by sending a letter to the credit bureau disputing any incorrect or inaccurate items you find. The credit bureau then forwards your dispute to the creditor that reported the item, and asks them to verify the legitimacy of the reported item.

If the creditor responds that the report is accurate, then the item stays on your report and is not removed. However, if the creditor does not respond to the dispute within 30 days of receipt, the item, by law, must be removed from the report.

It is possible to improve your credit scores anywhere from 100 to 200 points or more, by removing derogatory information from your credit reports. Deleting bad credit items on your credit report is definitely a worthwhile pursuit.

Yolanda

Bob Pering asked:




Removing derogatory credit information from your credit reports is the fastest thing you can do to raise your credit scores. Credit bureaus are known for the amount of inaccurate information in credit files, so check your reports regularly and be relentless in removing derogatory credit information in your files.

Start by getting a copy of your credit report. By law you may obtain a free copy of your credit report once a year from each of the three credit agencies: Equifax, Transunion, and Experian. You can request your report from each by locating them online. Or you can request a report from all three agencies at one time by sending your written request to the Annual Credit Report Request Service at PO Box 105281, Atlanta, GA, 30348.

Once you have copies of your credit report, examine each of them carefully for mistakes and errors.

Removing derogatory credit information in your files begins by disputing errors in your credit reports. Gather any supporting documentation you can find, such as credit card statements or canceled checks. You can dispute items in your credit report if you do not have documentation, but it’s easier when you can back up your disputes with paperwork.

Write a letter to the credit bureau explaining why the deputed item is inaccurate, and include copies of your documentation. Hand write your dispute letter, or, write the letter on your computer. You will have much better success this way, versus using a ready-made dispute form you find on the internet. Be sure to send all communications by certified mail, return receipt requested.

Once the credit bureau receives your dispute letter, the bureau will request verification from the creditor. If the credit bureau does not receive notice back from the creditor in thirty days that your dispute has been denied, removing the disputed information from your report is automatic. You will receive a new copy of your report which will show the disputed item(s) removed.

Should the creditor deny your dispute, file again the following month. Be insistent that they verify your claim. Ask them to send you the name and phone number of the person that verified your claim so you may call them. You are entitled to know why they have denied your dispute and for what reason.

Credit bureaus are known for the amount of inaccurate information in credit files, so check your reports regularly and be relentless in removing derogatory credit information in your files. Removing derogatory credit information from your credit reports is the fastest way to raise your credit scores.

Leon