Check your credit report , and do it carefully

[JitterbugPerfume]

First , I will tell you I am a cash only kinda person. If I can't afford it, I don't buy it.


Recently I found it necessary to ask my bank for a small ($3000) loan. They turned me down because my credit report showed that I owed back taxes from 1992. I had no idea that I owed anybody anything!

I spent most of this morning calling the county offices , and finally I had to make three calls to Indianapolis, . the records show that I do NOT owe back taxes, and they are sending me documentation to that effect

NOW I have to find out which credit bureau has it on record so I can get my good credit , and my good name back.


Keep a close eye on your credit rating .

[tridim]

1. But do NOT use Freecreditreport.com

When you apply for the "free" credit report they steal your credit card number and charge you $12.95/month for services you didn't order.

[JitterbugPerfume]

2. yikes!

thanks!

[Tarheel_Dem]

8. Well, I used them, but I was fully aware of the terms.....

You sign up for a free thirty day access with Triple Advantage (credit monitoring agency). This gives you access to all three credit reports for the "trial" period. If after 30 days, you wish to cancel, you can do that. If that wasn't thoroughly explained to you, then that's bad business practice.

[tridim]

15. The triple advantage BS was in hidden fine print (blue text on a blue background)

and I never gave my CC#. I have a thread on it from a few months back.

I was directed to freecreditreport.com via a 3rd party "reseller"'s form.

Took me about half a day on the phone to get it resolved. It was easily the worst customer service I've ever encountered. Avoid them, period.

[NMDemDist2]

3. the new law allows you to get a free credit report annually at no charge

https://www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/index.jsp

[napi21]

4. Take that documentation to your bank. They will be able to tell you

which Co. provided that info to them.

WHEN YOU FIND OUT make them the FIRST Co. you notify, and make sure you only send copies and send the info registered mail, return receipt requested. Then be sure to notify the other credit services too! When you send this kind of info, at least make sure you pay the extra few cents to get a proof of delivery for your records!

[NMDemDist2]

6. also the credit agency has to give you a free report since you were turned down for credit n/t

[JitterbugPerfume]

11. Thanks napi!

I will definately take your advice

[judaspriestess]

5. send your info to all three bureaus just to be on the safe side

that way you make sure they all have the same information.

[Tarheel_Dem]

7. Been there, done that....

I saw a commercial on t.v. that offered a free credit report "freecreditreport.com". This product is offered by Experian which is one of the three major credit reporting agencies. If I'm remembering correctly I got all three credit reports, but I had to pay for the credit scores. Come to find out, there was a hospital bill on my credit report, that had gone to a collection agency in 2005. I disputed it, and within 30 days they had removed that information from all three reports.

I agree with you, it's a good idea to keep an eye out. The good thing is you're entitled to a free report every year without charge. Thanks for the public service.

[northzax]

9. the bank should tell you

in fact, in most jurisdictions, they have to tell you what reports they relied on to deny you credit, and you get a free copy of that report if you request it within 60 days of being denied.

[MindPilot]

10. Free credit report my ass!!

Yeah, Ok you can get the credit report for free. But if you want to know your credit score, that costs. Admittedly it's not much, but it is MY information! Why should I have to pay for it?

And good luck getting any information changed. I think they do that on a lottery basis.

I've been trying for several years to do one simple thing, get an erroneous previous address removed.

[Bitwit1234]

12. And when they make a mistake they take their sweet time correcting it.

About 20 years ago the credit bureau told me I had several credit cards which were canceled for non-payment. That I lived in an entirely different place from where I did, that I worked at an entirely different place then I did and that instead of being white I was black.

The clerk at the other end of the telephone was nasty to say the least. I told her I had never lived at that address, did not work for that company and my race was white. I told her I could prove every one of the things they had on my record were not true and they had a week to change it, or I would go to court and sue them and for a million dollars because they had ruined my credit.

I also said I could get a letter from my employer,my landlord and I would come in and let them see what race I was...Before the two weeks were up they called and apologized for the mistake and said the social security numbers were similar and that was what happened. I told them in writing please. If my credit union had not called me and told me what the credit bureau had done I would never have known, because at that time I did not have credit cards and paid cash for what I bought. My credit union had my bank account and checking account and they did routine upgrades so they knew it was incorrect. Good for them. But I guess these places don't give that good customer service anymore.

[Catshrink]

13. The advice here is good...

if you need more details, sample letters, etc., try this website:

www.creditboards.com

I found them very helpful when I needed to know how to stop collections calls to my number for someone with a similar name.

Good luck and thanks for the reminder!

[Catshrink]

14. Also, if your mailbox isn't locked

get a PO Box for your financial mail. Our aren't locked and we had some vandalism in the neighborhood. I became concerned so all my bills go to the post office. Yeah, it's a pain in the butt but they are secure.