suggestions

[monkeymd2b]

Anyone know of reputable online sites to order credit reports? Or should I go through a bank? I checked it 4 years ago and can't remember where I got it from (papers in HI...somewhere). I thought I'd check again seeing as I'll start paying off student loans or getting new loans for a home and maybe a car and I want to make sure I'm still the only one with credit cards/loans in my name. My classmate told me someone stole her mail (including both her and her 3 month old daughter's SS cards) so it got me all paranoid...as if I didn't have other things to worry about!

[piqaboo]

its around here somewhere......

[Serenity]

Have you seen your credit report before? They require some "analysis" to figure out. If you type "free credit report" in Google you can get a list of sites offering your report for "free" (doubting Thomas here). There are services that, for a fee, will combine the reports from all three credit reporting agencies into one "easy to understand" report. The big 3 credit reporting agencies are: Experian, Equifax and Trans-Union.

Sidenote: I miss those identity theft commercials from one of the major banks.

<small>[ 03-03-2005, 12:47 AM: Message edited by: Serenity ]</small>

[OperaTenor]

Hi mmd2b,

Equifax

TransUnion

These are the two big credit reporting agencies I know of. It used to be you were entitled to one free credit report per year from them, don't know if that's still the case.

Good luck.

[monkeymd2b]

Thanks everyone. Equifax sounds familiar. The last credit report I have is from 4 years ago and back then, all the info was correct. I guess I'll take care of this later today after work.

[BigJon]

Depending on where you live, by law you can get one free now. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2004/11/041130freecreditrpts.htm
https://www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/index.jsp

If you are not in the states that are free, I went with Equifax, they had the nicest ordering process.

[piqaboo]

Monkey. still digging thru the piles. Law (I thought it was recently enacted federal law) is you get one free per year PER the big three agencies, so three per year.
Theres individ websites and there's a common one for the free report which will come from one of the big three.
When I find it, will share. Will probablhy be too late for you by then!

I gotta do that too, soon.

[lioness]

i highly recommend requesting from either Equifax, Experian or Transunion. if you use another service to get your reports and need to dispute or change something, you can't do it from those. you will then have to order them from the 3 listed above to obtain a specific report number.

-lioness

p.s. if you guys have any credit questions, concerns or just need to know how to clean it up, send me a PM. i've been doing this for 11 years.

[monkeymd2b]

You can clean it up?!? I thought once you messed that up you were doomed. the only people who claim to do that are the ads on tv and I don't trust those companies. I guess I should order mine. Apparently banks will give me a loan for $300,000 for a home with no money down (just cause I'm gonna be a doctor) but I think that's with a great credit history. Hmmm...just realized I need to cancel the cards for 2 retail stores. I opened them for the discount and "fashion points" but both stopped those programs. But hey, I must be doing something right since my bank offered me a visa platinum and after I turned that one down they gave me $1000 extra credit bucks. Crazy people.

[monkeymd2b]

Lioness and all other knowledgable folk -
I went to Equifax and there's all these options for a credit report. Do you think there's value in the 3 in 1 report with FICO score and equifax credit ranking? SO many options and so much money. I'm kind of scared to see the results. I kind of like that 3 in 1 deal and the FICO thing but I'm not sure about the equifax ranking. Looks like I get compared to other folks in all these categories. Eh, I guess I can put it on the ole credit card...

[lioness]

the best way to order your reports is through each individual bureau. i know it's pain in the tail but trust me, it's much easier this way in the long run. if you can call in to the automated system i truly recommend it. it's the best way to get full results especially if you need to go further into it. that's why they make it so difficult.

plus, if you haven’t ordered in the last year… it’s FREE! The Fair Credit Reporting Act entitles each consumer to one free disclosure every 12 months.

Or if you have and you fall under the following circumstances, you can still get it for FREE!
- Denial of credit, or other unfavorable action affecting a credit application or account.
- Denial of insurance, or other unfavorable action on an insurance application or policy.
- Denial of employment, or other unfavorable action affecting current employment or an employment application.
- Denial of, or other unfavorable action affecting, a government license or benefit.
- Denial of, or other unfavorable action on, another transaction or account, such as an application for an apartment or utility service.
- You are unemployed and plan to seek employment within 60 days.
- You receive public welfare assistance.
- You have reason to believe your TransUnion credit file is inaccurate due to fraud


this will start you on your way:


Equifax Credit Services (800) 711-5341
Equifax

Trans Union Credit Information (800) 544-5602
TransUnion

Experian (888) 397 3742
Experian

good luck!

-lioness

[lioness]

also be aware, each creditor may only report to one of the 3 bureaus. so it's necessary to check and compare your reports between all 3.

<small>[ 03-09-2005, 02:21 AM: Message edited by: lioness ]</small>

[lioness]

Originally posted by monkeymd2b:
You can clean it up?!?

yes, there are ways to do this (without paying another company to do it for you). however, it can be very tedious and the knowledge of certain credit laws is needed.

this is why people hire other firms to do it for them.


EVERYTHING in the credit related world depends on your FICO score.

[NateBrei]

I work for a credit card company. Here is what we've been told.

As part of the FACT Act, any person can request a free copy of their credit report every 12 months, and the bureaus are required to correct any information that you dispute and can prove is incorrect.

The web site is www.annualcreditreport.com

Hope this helps.
Nate

[monkeymd2b]

Does this mean I can get a free report from each company or only 1 company and I have to pay for the other 2? As far as I can tell, only transunion gives it away for free. The other two each charge $10 for the basic report. I haven't made phone calls yet so maybe tomorrow I'll find out.

Other question: I lived in oregon for 5 years, now I have been living here for almost 4 years, my bank with my main credit card is back in hawaii but the billing address has been in both oregon and lousiana. I went to the annual credit report site where it tells you when the reports are available. The south isn't available until june 1 but the west was ready since december. Do I wait until june or just get it now? does it matter? am i too ocd trying to get this done? do i need a drink? was chicken little right? is the sky falling?

[lioness]

Originally posted by monkeymd2b:
Does this mean I can get a free report from each company...

yes!

those waiting peroids signifiy the beginning of a new 'year' for those who have requested a report last year. if you didn't order one last year, you can obtain a new report during any time.

Originally posted by monkeymd2b:
Do I wait until june or just get it now?
does it matter?
am i too ocd trying to get this done?
do i need a drink?
was chicken little right?
is the sky falling?

no, you don't have to wait
no.
not since i can do it.
always a yes.
yes.
it will be. :p

[monkeymd2b]

Thanks again! Now that I'm starting to worry excessively over match and monday (cruelly named "unmatch day") even though I know I should match with no problems, maybe this will be something to attack tomorrow on my day off.

Re the drink - Time to start premedicating with Prilosec OTC for the drinking starting on saturday and ending...well, who knows. Most people would accept the fact that alcohol gives them heartburn and avoid it. I choose to prophylax. I love this class of drugs!

[monkeymd2b]

Since you folks were incredibly helpful with the credit report issue, here's another question -

I'm moving back to the west coast (Portland, Sacramento, or Seattle/Tacoma area - 6 more days!) later this spring/early summer and I need to know of moving companies to absolutely avoid due to poor, irresponsible service.

Or if anyone has connections to get me and my potential moving partner (a classmate) a great discount with any of the rent your own moving truck companies, that would be so awesome! I would give you my unborn child...okay, maybe not that since I've already promised the first 6 kids to other people who have done enormous favors and I'd like to keep the 7th. But you get the point.

[analog]

<small>[ 03-11-2005, 11:53 PM: Message edited by: analog ]</small>

[Serenity]

Analog? Did you have something to say?