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Credit Reporting Topics

 

Credit Reports - What is a credit report?

A credit report is a summary of your credit history as reported by the three national credit reporting agencies - Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. It lists your credit obligations, as well as your payment history that the three national credit bureaus (the 3 repositories) show for you, including your credit cards, auto loans, and mortgages. It can also include court records, current and past addresses, other names you go by, and a list of recent inquiries into your credit report.

Here are some credit report links including how to obtain your free annual credit report:

  • Free Annual Credit Report -You are entitled to a free credit report each year by Federal Law. Here are instructions on how to receive yours.
  • FTC Annual Credit Report Video -In response to television advertisements that offer consumers access to a free credit report and free credit score, the FTC has produced its own video about how to get your free annual credit report from the official site.
  • Rights Under the FCRA (Fair Credit reporting Act) to a free credit report - If you have been denied credit in the last 60 days, are unemployed, receive public assistance or are a victim of fraud, you may qualify for a free credit report under the FCRA.
  • Free Annual Credit Report by Mail or Phone - If you don't have a computer, you can still get your free credit report each year that you are entitled to by Federal Law. Here are the instructions.
  • Free Credit Report but no Credit Card? - By Federal Law, you can get a free credit report by mail once a year even if you do not have a credit card. We tell you how to receive yours.
  • Free Annual Credit Reports for the Blind and Visually Impaired - The 3 national credit reporting agencies are developing a site that will make the free credit report by Federal Law accessible to those with visual impairments.
  • Free CoreScore Credit Report - Corelogic CREDCO incorporates their preprietary database information with the information from the three national credit bureaus for the CoreScore Credit Report for lenders. Consumers can get a copy of their own report.
  • Divorce Credit Report - It may be important to get your credit report before divorce. Take a few moments to procure a credit report that will show graphically what accounts you hold in common with your spouse. Closing those accounts before the divorce is finalized will provide a cleaner start as a single person.
  • Bankruptcy Credit Report - Get your credit report before bankruptcy and list all items from your 3 credit reports in addition to any other items you know exist that may not be on your credit report.
  • Credit Report Disputes - How to dispute inaccurate or incomplete items on your credit report. We include a sample dispute form.
  • Credit Reports for Landlords - It's getting harder for landlords to access future renters' credit reports. Find out what your options are as a landlord.

Credit Scores - What is a credit score?

A credit score is a number that statistically measures the probably that you will default in the future on a loan obligation. In other words, credit scores are tools lenders use to measure the risk of a loan to a lender.

Credit scores are based on the credit history and payment habits as reported in your credit report. Generally a good credit scores predicts you are less risky and therefore more likely to repay your loan as agreed. Consumers with good credit scores are usually offered better credit terms, such as lower interest rates on credit card balances and loans.

Here are some topics to help you understand credit scores that are used to approve loans and to set the terms and interest rate of your loan. They are used for home and auto loans, apartment rentals, and insurance. Credit scores are not allowed to be used in employment decisions.

  • Confused about Credit Scores? Read This! - We list 8 points toward better understanding your credit score.
  • Tips to Understand Your Credit Score - We have six initial suggestions on how to begin working toward a better score, such as disputing inaccurate information, paying off collections and paying down loan balances. Also includes a "What else can I do?" section.
  • FAQs about Credit Report Scores - To-the-point answers to frequently asked questions on Credit Report Scores.
  • What is a Fico Score? - A product of the Fair Isaac Company, the FICO score is one of the best known and most widely used credit scores in the country.
  • What is a Vantage Score? - This score was developed by the 3 national credit reporting agencies and offers scoring for consumers and businesses that use the same calculation models spanning the three companies.
  • What are Mortgage Credit Scores? - A good credit score will have a large impact on your monthly mortgage payment, so knowing what they are and ensuring they look as good as they can before you shop for mortgages will help in keeping your monthly charge down.
  • Authorized Users- Does this help your Score? - Does this help your Score? - Being an authorized user can help your score. But the opposite is also true. Read this section for historical and current information on authorized users.
  • Credit Scores - Are they all the same? - Are they all the same? - No, they are not. The "recipes" for Scores are proprietary, like the recipes for your favorite cola products. Sometimes, given the variety of scores that are available to you on the web, it may be better to just pay attention to why your score is lower, and take steps to raise it.
  • Free Credit Scores with Credit Monitoring - These free credit scores are usually in connection with free trials for credit monitoring. Here's some more information on some of these free credit score offers.

Credit Monitoring - How does checking your credit and credit monitoring provide credit protection?

Credit Monitoring refers to monitoring your credit report, usually on a daily basis, oftentimes at all 3 national credit bureaus, for key changes in your credit report. The items monitored may include new accounts opened, new addresses added, new inquiries into your credit, and other changes that may signal potential identity theft or fraud.

Additionally credit monitoring may report items that are important for you to review in order to keep your credit current and accurate, such as major derogatory items or past due delinquencies, collections and charge-offs, bankruptcies, and liens and judgements.

So whether you want some credit protection to detect or possibly prevent theft of your identity, or whether you just want to stay alerted of important changes that may adversely affect your credit report, credit monitoring at all three credit agencies may be for you.

CreditReporting.com offers credit monitoring as an option to all our credit reporting products including our 3 Bureau Credit Report.

Identity Theft - What is identity theft and what should I do if I am a victim of id theft?

Identity theft refers to the situation where someone else uses your personal information in a fraudulent and/or unauthorized manner, normally for financial advantage. Among other things, your personal information may be your name, and/or social security number, and/or your credit card number.

Identity theft may be as simple as using your credit card number for unauthorized use, in which case you call your credit card company and close/change your account number. ID theft may also be more invasive as in situations where the id thief takes over your accounts, changes account addresses, obtains new credit accounts and loans, incurs medical procedures and expenses, and may even pose as you for employment.

How do you help prevent theft of your identity? What do you do if you are a victim of identity fraud? Here is some guidance that you may find useful, including a consumer identity theft help kit.

  • General Facts on Identity Theft - How do perpetrators of fraud gather your most personal information and use it to their own gain. Be informed on steps you can take to protect your personal information.
  • What is Identity Theft? - Identity theft occurs when your personal information is made available to others who use your good name to open credit cards and accounts.
  • Preventing ID Theft - Easy to follow steps for prevention. This informative section gives you important tips on being aware on how to guard your personal information so that it stays with you and only you.
  • Victim of ID Theft? - Some things you should do. Did you know there are Fraud Units of each of the national credit bureaus that will forward you a free copy of your current credit report? When you receive the report, you will carefully read through it and report all items that are inaccurate or incomplete.
  • ID Theft on the Internet - Be careful of websites collecting sensitive information. It may be difficult to believe, but unscrupulous people create websites designed to steal your personal information. Be careful! We provide information you can use to determine whether a site is safe or unsafe.
  • Resource Center for ID Theft - Helpful links and resources for consumers. If you are a victim of identity theft, here are steps you may wish to take to report your status and begin rebuilding your good credit.
  • Free Identity Theft Consumer Help Kit - Offers information, links, dispute form and affidavit. What is ID Theft? What do thieves want of yours? Best and most importantly, what can you do to protect yourself?
  • Credit Security Freeze - In general, security freezes, also called credit freezes, allow consumers to notify the credit reporting agencies to block access to their credit report from potential creditors and insurance companies. Helpful information includes FAQ's and state requirements and fees.

Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)

We provide a summary of the Act and explain it, note your rights under the act, and provide the answers to FAQ's.

  • Summary of FCRA - For consumers, read about the FCRA and how it was designed to assist you regarding your personal credit report.
  • Your Rights under the FCRA - What's on your credit report and who has seen it? If you have been denied credit, why? The answers to these questions and more are contained in this article.
  • Frequently Asked Questions - Get answers to the most frequently asked questions about the FCRA.
  • Complete FCRA Law - We provide you with a layman’s guide to each section of the FCRA.

Opt Out Information

Learn how to keep your private information from getting into the hands of telemarketers, direct marketers and credit companies.

  • Opt Out Information - To reduce the amount of direct mail solicitations, you can opt out of credit bureau prescreen list sales by calling the number contained in this article.
  • Opt-Out Prescreen Online - Consumers can now also notify the 3 national credit reporting agencies online to remove their names from lists that the 3 national credit reporting agencies sell to companies that mail you pre-approved offers of credit and insurance
  • Do Not Call information  - Here is a link to the site that removes your phone number from telemarketing lists.link to site that removes your phone number from telemarketing lists

Credit Report - Related Topics

This section allows you to ask questions and receive answers to them, and be informed on ways you can lessen the amount of unsolicited pre-approved credit applications you receive through the mail.

  • Articles and Press Releases - Read articles and press releases about credit and credit reporting on our web site. More articles of interest include information on the Public Information Profile (PIP) and how consumers now have the ability to perform their own background check and to search nationwide public records through this new product.
  • Managing Credit During Divorce - Helpful information for those in the divorce process. Please make sure that you inform your credit card companies, retailers and your mortgage company to let them know you are in the midst of a divorce. If you have joint accounts, you may want to close them and open individual accounts.
  • Personal Bankruptcy - Learn more about the types of bankruptcy that are available to individuals so you can make the best choice for yours.
  • Bankruptcy Law Changes - Learn about changes in the bankruptcy law.
  • 6 Ways to Build Your Credit Report - Read about how you can begin to build a good credit record.
  • Understand Credit Reports  - We list valuable tips on ways to begin understanding your credit report right now.
  • Credit Counseling - Here is information for you to consider when deciding if credit counseling is an alternative to bankruptcy.
  • Debt Management - We provide information on how you can begin getting your finances under control.
  • Credit Repair Warnings - Read this before you consider using a credit repair service.
  • Budgeting Tips - The benefits of making a budget (Part I).
  • Budgeting Tips - the benefits of making a budget (Part II).
  • Short Sales - Find out here if a real estate short sale will hurt your credit report.
  • Applying for Credit - Valuable advice as you set out on applying for credit cards and establishing credit.
  • Advice for College Graduates - Establishing a solid credit history is more important than ever. Read this informative article for practical tips on establishing credit.
  • Students, are you a victim of ID Theft? - If you have recently lost your wallet, had your laptop stolen or given personal information to strangers either on the web or over the phone, you may be a victim of ID Theft.
  • Student's Guide to Free Credit Reports - If you are over the age of 18, you are entitled to a free credit report every year by Federal Law. This article will guide you through the process.
  • Credit Bureaus - Credit report basics such as what are credit bureaus, and who are the 3 national credit reporting agencies?
  • Lock Unlock Credit Report - Find out about the new credit service from Truecredit and Transunion that locks your credit report.
  • Is there a 4th national credit bureau called Innovis? - Get information on the history of CBCInnovis. We list information on how to contact the company.
  • Related Links Go to this page for links related to credit reports.

Video Learning Center

Here are easy-to-understand videos to steer you through ordering your report provided you by Federal Law, opting out of unwanted solicitations, and stopping telemarketer phone calls.

 

 


 

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