Frequently Asked Questions

The three major credit reporting agencies are Equifax, Experian, and Transunion. In addition, anyone who takes action against you in a report supplied by a Credit Reporting Agency, such as denying your application for credit, insurance, or employment must give you the name, address, and telephone number of the Credit Reporting Agency that provided that report.

Yes, but you have to ask for it. The Credit Reporting Agencies must tell you everything in your report, including medical information. They must also give you a list of everyone who has requested your report within the past year - two years for employment related requests.

Sometimes. You may go to www.annualcreditreport.com to receive a free copy once a year. There's no charge if a company takes adverse action against you, such as denying your application for credit, insurance or employment, and you request the report within 60 days of receiving the notice of the action. In addition, you're entitled to one free report a year if you certify in writing that (1) you're unemployed and plan to look for a job within 60 days, (2) you're on welfare, or (3) your report is inaccurate because of fraud. Otherwise, a Credit Reporting Agency may charge you up to $9.00 for a copy of your report.

AnnualCreditReport.com is the ONLY authorized source for the free annual credit report that's yours by law. The Fair Credit Reporting Act guarantees you access to your credit report for free from each of the three nationwide credit reporting companies — Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion — every 12 months. The Federal Trade Commission has received complaints from consumers who thought they were ordering their free annual credit report, and yet couldn't get it without paying fees or buying other services. TV ads, email offers, or online search results may tout "free" credit reports, but there is only one authorized source for a truly free credit report.

Even if you have not been denied for credit, you may want to find out what's on your reports at least once a year for inaccuracies or omissions. This is important if you are considering a major purchase. Checking in advance on the accuracy of the information in your credit report could speed the credit granting process.

Seven years. There are exceptions:
-- Information about criminal convictions may be reported without any time limitation.
-- Bankruptcy information may be reported for 10 years
-- Information about a lawsuit or an unpaid judgement against you can be reported for seven years or until the statue of limitations runs out, whichever is longer.

No. Only people with a legitimate business need, as recognized by the Fair Credit Reporting Act. For example, a company is allowed to get your report if you apply for credit, insurance, employment, or to rent an apartment.

This act is designed to protect the privacy of credit report information and to guarantee that information supplied by Credit Reporting Agencies is as accurate as possible. Section 611 entitles each and everyone an updated accurate credit report.

Some people have more negative information on their credit reports than others, remember the Credit Reporting Agencies have 30 days to respond to each dispute. The only reason that the Credit Reporting Agency does not have to reinvestigate a disputed item is if they feel the dispute is frivolous or irrelevant. Because of this we may dispute certain items seperately over a period of time of several months as not to appear as frivolous.

The Credit Reporting Agencies have 30 days from the beginning date on which the agency receives the notice of the dispute from the consumer. This maybe extended for not more than 15 additional days if the Credit Reporting Agency receives information from the consumer during that 30 day period that is relevant to the reinvestigation.

Insurance companies use studies that show a similarity between credit histories and insurance claims. If you have a high credit score, you probably have a healthly financial lifestyle. Your credit history reflects your sense of responsiblity, that you are probably not under financial stress, and therefore are less likely to drive in ways that wil result in an insurance claim.