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FACT:
there are three major credit reporting agencies that may have information
on you.
Those agencies are Equifax, Experian and Trans Union. And it's quite common
that certain of your creditors may appear on one agency's report but not
on the others.
When you
apply for a loan most creditors will get a report from each of the three
agencies.
A "single
agency" report from Equifax may be OK for your needs. But you may
need a "3 agency" report. Please read on.
It's a good practice to obtain your credit report before you apply for
a loan or credit card. That way you can review it at your leisure for
any mistakes and inaccuracies-- and fix them. People are often surprised
to find that there are detrimental errors in their reports.
Our articles section has instructions on how you
can dispute and repair your credit report. It's easier than you might
think.
With
your credit report in hand you can also be aware of your credit rating
for each of your various accounts before you apply for more credit.
Here are some FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
on credit reports. Click on the text to go to the answer.
When and why should
I review my credit report?
What is a 3-agency credit
report?
What is a credit report?
Who can look at my credit report?
What information is
on a credit report?
What will happen to
the information I have entered?
How long does it take
before I receive my credit report?
I do not have a credit
card, can I still order a credit report?
What type of payment
is accepted?
What is the provider's
refund policy?
Will requesting my
own credit report negatively impact my credit at all?
What if something appears
to be inaccurate on my credit report?
What are my rights?
When and why should I review my credit report?
Your credit report should be reviewed every year. You should check for
accurate information on the report along with any inaccuracies that may
appear and have them taken care of right away. If applying for a mortgage,
car loan, or any other major loan, you should request a copy of your report
at least six months ahead of time. By doing this you have time to dispute
if necessary.
What is a 3-agency
credit report?
The
information you see on your report is obtained from the top 3 credit reporting
companies; Experian, Trans Union, and Equifax. Obtaining a 3-agency report
is an excellent choice because it allows the individual to see what is
on all three. For example: there may be certain creditors listed on one
report that does not show up on another.
What is a credit
report?
A consumer
credit report is a factual record that contains an individual's credit
history. Credit grantors are permitted by law to look over your credit
report to determine whether or not you are suitable to be granted credit.
Most of your information that is on your credit report comes from the
companies you do business with. If the information on your credit report
is inaccurate, you have the right to dispute it.
Who can look at
my credit report?
Federal Laws regulate how credit reports can be used. Individuals have
the right to request their own reports. Businesses need to meet certain
requirements such as a background proof under permissible purpose under
federal law, on - site inspection of the business, a business license,
and a signed contract requiring the business to use the information obtained
accordingly.
What information
is on a credit report?
Information included on your credit report contains such items as your
name, social security number, age, and employment history. It also indicates
anyone requesting information with or without your knowledge. On your
credit report you will find a list of creditors from either retail stores,
mortgage companies, and other creditors. Credit reports show detail status
of each account as reported by credit grantors. The information provided
states if your account(s) are current or delinquent, and if there have
been any repossessions, judgments, or bankruptcies. Credit reports also
indicate warning signs of financial trouble such as high debts, applications
for too many credit cards or loans, and late payments.
What will happen
to the information I have entered?
The information
that you have entered on our system is used to verify your identity. This
information stays on the provider's secured database for request verification.
They do not resell your information to any other individuals, organizations
or businesses. For more information, review the provider's privacy statement.
How long does
it take before I receive my credit report?
After you have completed all the required information for requesting your
3-agency credit report, depending upon your shipping option, you can receive
your report as soon as the next business day.
I do not have
a credit card, can I still order a credit report?
Yes, the provider
is able to accept Checks online.
What type of payment
is accepted?
Presently, the provider
accepts orders by using a credit card or check. The following credit cards
are accepted: MasterCard, American Express, Discover and Visa.
What is the provider's
refund policy?
Requests are processed
instantly and the provider is immediately charged by their credit report
vendor for obtaining the credit reporting agencies information. Unfortunately
there is no refund. However, if you receive a report that you cannot read,
they will resend one to you free within 30 days.
Will requesting
my own credit report negatively impact my credit?
When you request your own credit report it will not negatively impact
your credit. The inquiry is not shown to potential creditors, it will
only be shown to you as a "Consumer Disclosure" inquiry.
What if something
appears to be inaccurate on my credit report?
If after reviewing your
credit report you believe that something is inaccurate, you can respond
by reviewing the provider's credit report dispute form. Please
click here to view a printable copy of this form.
What are my rights?
Before or after reviewing
your credit report you may want to find out what rights you have. Please
click here to view your rights under the FCRA.
Content of
this FAQs is copyright of CreditReport411.com and may not be re-duplicated
without permission
Here's more
info on credit reports. Read "5 Reasons to Check
Your Credit Report Regularly."
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