Posts Tagged Credit Equifax
Disputing Duplicate Items On Your Credit Report
Duwayne Mcclendon asked:
When you are repairing you want to make sure all information is correct and there are no duplicate items on your credit report. I had noticed an old HSBC Tax Advance showing on my report twice, one was listed as being current with a $0 balance and the other had a balance of $441 and 120 days late! I had seen this on my report and at first was just going to wait it out until the 120 day late listing was updated to current with hopes my score would be higher with two accounts listed as current.
Today my patience got the best of me, I called Transunion which was the listing agency for the duplicate accounts and requested a deletion. At first the operator said “ok sir I will place the duplicate account for dispute,” I immediately told him I did not want to place a dispute but for him to delete the duplicate listing now. It was in my favor that both accounts had the same account number and that the 120 day listing was updated 11/2007 and the current listing was showing updated 12/2007.
After about 5 minutes the representative for Transunion confirmed the duplicate listing had been removed and if I needed any more assistance. I kindly thanked the representative of Transunion and proceeded to complete my daily credit pull from TrueCredit. WOO HOO! Account deleted and my score jumped 14 points!
When you are repairing your credit be persistent and make sure you have all your facts regarding the accounts when you call or write any of the three credit bureau (Equifax, Experian, Transunion). You have to legitimately prove the account is reporting improperly for the credit bureau to remove the listing for them to remove it.
Anne
When you are repairing you want to make sure all information is correct and there are no duplicate items on your credit report. I had noticed an old HSBC Tax Advance showing on my report twice, one was listed as being current with a $0 balance and the other had a balance of $441 and 120 days late! I had seen this on my report and at first was just going to wait it out until the 120 day late listing was updated to current with hopes my score would be higher with two accounts listed as current.
Today my patience got the best of me, I called Transunion which was the listing agency for the duplicate accounts and requested a deletion. At first the operator said “ok sir I will place the duplicate account for dispute,” I immediately told him I did not want to place a dispute but for him to delete the duplicate listing now. It was in my favor that both accounts had the same account number and that the 120 day listing was updated 11/2007 and the current listing was showing updated 12/2007.
After about 5 minutes the representative for Transunion confirmed the duplicate listing had been removed and if I needed any more assistance. I kindly thanked the representative of Transunion and proceeded to complete my daily credit pull from TrueCredit. WOO HOO! Account deleted and my score jumped 14 points!
When you are repairing your credit be persistent and make sure you have all your facts regarding the accounts when you call or write any of the three credit bureau (Equifax, Experian, Transunion). You have to legitimately prove the account is reporting improperly for the credit bureau to remove the listing for them to remove it.
Anne
Free Triple Score – Protecting Your Credit Check Report Rating From Identity Theft
Marc Marseille asked:
Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in America. The effects of identity theft can be a very hurtful experience that mostly occurs during the important moments of your life. Many victims of identity theft do not even realize that someone or in some cases several people have been violating them by getting access to their personal credit bureau report. Protecting your credit bureau report can easily be achieved by getting a copy of your free triple score from all three credit bureaus.
Your free triple score report will provide you with all the information you have reporting with all three credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and Trans Union. Once you have received your credit bureau report, it is crucial that you do a thorough investigation to make sure that all your information is reporting correctly. If you find that you have been a victim of identity fraud, the best thing to do in that situation is to seek professional legal help through a reputable credit attorney.
It is unfortunate if you find yourself dealing with the situation of having your identity stolen, but there several steps you can take to prevent identity theft before it happens. The first step is to arm yourself with identity protection. Many credit card companies offer identity protection through a small monthly fee on your credit card, but if you have several credit cards, you may want to consider getting a more universal identity protection policy. Getting a universal identity protection policy includes using a company that works hand in hand with the 3 credit bureaus to create a lock on your credit bureau report.
Once you’ve create a lock on your credit report, no one can make any purchases using your information without having to verify some very vital information. To secure yourself even further, it is important to shred all important personal information before disposing of them. Information that should be shredded is bank statements, credit card statements, and anything that shows your Social Security Number.
Another precaution you can take is to never give your Social Security Number over the internet through an unsecured server. One way to find out if the website you are viewing is insecure is by looking at your browser window. All secure internet websites start with https: and not just http:. To make it even safer to surf the internet, you should get virus protection, spyware and a reliable internet explorer like Firefox.
My last recommendation to protection your free triple score report sounds simple enough, but a lot of people fall victim to it everyday; you should never give your Social Security Number over the telephone to a company you do not trust. Unless you have a long lasting relationship with a certain company, it is better to deal in person. If you must give sensitive information over the phone such as banking, try to establish a relationship with one particular individual in that department before you do so.
Cynthia
Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in America. The effects of identity theft can be a very hurtful experience that mostly occurs during the important moments of your life. Many victims of identity theft do not even realize that someone or in some cases several people have been violating them by getting access to their personal credit bureau report. Protecting your credit bureau report can easily be achieved by getting a copy of your free triple score from all three credit bureaus.
Your free triple score report will provide you with all the information you have reporting with all three credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and Trans Union. Once you have received your credit bureau report, it is crucial that you do a thorough investigation to make sure that all your information is reporting correctly. If you find that you have been a victim of identity fraud, the best thing to do in that situation is to seek professional legal help through a reputable credit attorney.
It is unfortunate if you find yourself dealing with the situation of having your identity stolen, but there several steps you can take to prevent identity theft before it happens. The first step is to arm yourself with identity protection. Many credit card companies offer identity protection through a small monthly fee on your credit card, but if you have several credit cards, you may want to consider getting a more universal identity protection policy. Getting a universal identity protection policy includes using a company that works hand in hand with the 3 credit bureaus to create a lock on your credit bureau report.
Once you’ve create a lock on your credit report, no one can make any purchases using your information without having to verify some very vital information. To secure yourself even further, it is important to shred all important personal information before disposing of them. Information that should be shredded is bank statements, credit card statements, and anything that shows your Social Security Number.
Another precaution you can take is to never give your Social Security Number over the internet through an unsecured server. One way to find out if the website you are viewing is insecure is by looking at your browser window. All secure internet websites start with https: and not just http:. To make it even safer to surf the internet, you should get virus protection, spyware and a reliable internet explorer like Firefox.
My last recommendation to protection your free triple score report sounds simple enough, but a lot of people fall victim to it everyday; you should never give your Social Security Number over the telephone to a company you do not trust. Unless you have a long lasting relationship with a certain company, it is better to deal in person. If you must give sensitive information over the phone such as banking, try to establish a relationship with one particular individual in that department before you do so.
Cynthia
How Your FICA Score Effects Your Personal Credit History
Gerald Washam asked:
Understand Your Credit
Trying to understand how credit works can be frustrating. Most people do not even know where to begin when trying to identify their personal credit rating. There are three major credit bureaus that report your credit status. These three credit bureaus are Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. All three also keep your FICA or credit score. This score can give you the best idea of how your credit ranks.
FICA…What Is It?
FICA scores range from 375 to 900. In general, the higher your credit score the better you will be able to obtain credit. A FICA score under 620 makes obtaining credit difficult. You should identify what your score is and if it isn’t a good number you should then work on making it better. Creditors use your FICA score to determine whether to give you credit and sometimes base interest rates on this score. It is a very important number to know.
Your FICA Score
To determine your credit score you should request your credit report from the three major credit bureaus. The new legislation passed that allows you one free credit report every twelve months does not require the credit bureau to give you your FICA score, so you will probably have to pay for these reports. The contact information for each bureau is as follows:
Equifax 800-685-1111 http://www.equifax.com
Understand Your Credit
Trying to understand how credit works can be frustrating. Most people do not even know where to begin when trying to identify their personal credit rating. There are three major credit bureaus that report your credit status. These three credit bureaus are Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. All three also keep your FICA or credit score. This score can give you the best idea of how your credit ranks.
FICA…What Is It?
FICA scores range from 375 to 900. In general, the higher your credit score the better you will be able to obtain credit. A FICA score under 620 makes obtaining credit difficult. You should identify what your score is and if it isn’t a good number you should then work on making it better. Creditors use your FICA score to determine whether to give you credit and sometimes base interest rates on this score. It is a very important number to know.
Your FICA Score
To determine your credit score you should request your credit report from the three major credit bureaus. The new legislation passed that allows you one free credit report every twelve months does not require the credit bureau to give you your FICA score, so you will probably have to pay for these reports. The contact information for each bureau is as follows:
Equifax 800-685-1111 http://www.equifax.com
Experian 888-397-3742 http://www.experian.com
TransUnion 800-916-8800 http://www.transunion.com
You should receive a copy of your personal credit report that includes your FICA score. Your FICA score is listed along with a comparison to the general population. This lets you know where you fall on the scale from excellent to poor. The credit bureau may include information as to why your score is not higher. Once you have your score you can then determine what you need to do to make it higher.
Raising Your Score
Some simple things can be done to help raise your FICA score. Paying your bills on time, keeping a small amount of unused credit available, keeping your debt low, and avoid inquires to your credit report can all help improve your credit score. Some things like, length of credit history, length of time on your job, and length of time at residence are things you can do nothing about, but that will also affect your FICA score. Practicing good credit methods will help you to obtain a better FICA score.
If you are worried about your personal credit you should really check out your FICA score. Then work to improve it. It may take time, but everyone has the ability to have good credit.
Stella
Cheap Credit Reports – 3 Ways to Find a Cheap or Free Report Online
L. Sampson asked:
Knowing what is on your credit report can help to keep your personal information safe, give you a chance to correct inaccuracies, and save you money on interest rates when you apply for a home loan. With the wide availability of free or low cost credit reports online, there is no reason to spend a lot of money to find out how credit worthy you really are.
Obtain a free credit report when you sign up for special services
If you are interested in signing up for credit monitoring or similar credit check services, take advantage of a company that offers a free credit report when you sign up for their program. If you are interested in a credit monitoring or counseling program, look for one that offers a free credit report instead of paying for this information.
Go straight to the source
According to the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act, everyone is entitled to receive a free copy of their credit report from each of the three nationwide credit reporting agencies, Equifax, Experian and TransUnion, once every 12 months. You can individually request a copy from each bureau or you can look for online companies that offer a free centralized request form that lets you fill out one form and receive your credit report from all three agencies.
Save money later by not being too thrifty now
While free online credit sites abound on the internet, it isn’t always as free as it sounds. Always thoroughly research any company you are about to request a free credit report from. Some are nothing more than fronts for identity theft scams. Ironically a consumer thinks they are getting a credit report to safeguard their credit, when in truth they are giving away valuable information to identity thieves. While it might seem wonderful to get a credit report for nothing, it won’t seem so wonderful if you have to go through the headache of cleaning up your credit report or if you aren’t able to secure a loan because of fraudulent information on your report.
Alice
Knowing what is on your credit report can help to keep your personal information safe, give you a chance to correct inaccuracies, and save you money on interest rates when you apply for a home loan. With the wide availability of free or low cost credit reports online, there is no reason to spend a lot of money to find out how credit worthy you really are.
Obtain a free credit report when you sign up for special services
If you are interested in signing up for credit monitoring or similar credit check services, take advantage of a company that offers a free credit report when you sign up for their program. If you are interested in a credit monitoring or counseling program, look for one that offers a free credit report instead of paying for this information.
Go straight to the source
According to the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act, everyone is entitled to receive a free copy of their credit report from each of the three nationwide credit reporting agencies, Equifax, Experian and TransUnion, once every 12 months. You can individually request a copy from each bureau or you can look for online companies that offer a free centralized request form that lets you fill out one form and receive your credit report from all three agencies.
Save money later by not being too thrifty now
While free online credit sites abound on the internet, it isn’t always as free as it sounds. Always thoroughly research any company you are about to request a free credit report from. Some are nothing more than fronts for identity theft scams. Ironically a consumer thinks they are getting a credit report to safeguard their credit, when in truth they are giving away valuable information to identity thieves. While it might seem wonderful to get a credit report for nothing, it won’t seem so wonderful if you have to go through the headache of cleaning up your credit report or if you aren’t able to secure a loan because of fraudulent information on your report.
Alice
Notice from my Health Insurance that their files with my Identity has been stolen?
Posted by admin in Rule Of Thumb on June 6, 2010
alice_brandt asked:
I rec’d a letter from my Health Insurance Company that a disk from their computer system was stolen. They have forensic evidence that (verbatum) :my Name, Identiy information, Financial records and Medical History with them has been taken from their computer systems. I have been a victim of Identity Theft since 2006 and both Chase Bank and Citibank have been working with me to correct my eronious credit reports with all three of the National Credit Bureaus. I have been a paying member to both Chase and Citibank Identity Theft Protection program for a couple of years and thank God they both sold me on the idea of paying the nominal $10.00 a month for this service. I have been a member of these programs for a couple of years. They have to-date helped me remove 7 different fraudulant credit cards with the use of my private vitals such as name, address, SSAN, etc.
I just received this letter from my Health Insurance Company in regard to my file being taken from them late last week. It states that any information from 2002 to 2009 is gone. I have spent hours trying to keep my Credit rating good while paying fraudulant bills and attempting to
CCOMPLETELY clean up the false information on my Credit reports from Transunion, Equifax and Experion. And without the help of my Identity Theft Protection accounts doing most of the work I would literally be in ruin. I pay every bill on time and sometimes even more. I have lost so many hours of my life and moneys that learning this from my Health Insurance Company makes me want to sue them . What kind of Lawyer? Should I? Who do I call? The FTC? I am sure there must be other clients along with me that were on the disk that was stolen and by law they had to notify me. I have lived my last 25 years in Manhattan but am currently in Alabama caring for my 86 year old Mother if that means anything. Many thanks to you in advance.
Denise
I rec’d a letter from my Health Insurance Company that a disk from their computer system was stolen. They have forensic evidence that (verbatum) :my Name, Identiy information, Financial records and Medical History with them has been taken from their computer systems. I have been a victim of Identity Theft since 2006 and both Chase Bank and Citibank have been working with me to correct my eronious credit reports with all three of the National Credit Bureaus. I have been a paying member to both Chase and Citibank Identity Theft Protection program for a couple of years and thank God they both sold me on the idea of paying the nominal $10.00 a month for this service. I have been a member of these programs for a couple of years. They have to-date helped me remove 7 different fraudulant credit cards with the use of my private vitals such as name, address, SSAN, etc.
I just received this letter from my Health Insurance Company in regard to my file being taken from them late last week. It states that any information from 2002 to 2009 is gone. I have spent hours trying to keep my Credit rating good while paying fraudulant bills and attempting to
CCOMPLETELY clean up the false information on my Credit reports from Transunion, Equifax and Experion. And without the help of my Identity Theft Protection accounts doing most of the work I would literally be in ruin. I pay every bill on time and sometimes even more. I have lost so many hours of my life and moneys that learning this from my Health Insurance Company makes me want to sue them . What kind of Lawyer? Should I? Who do I call? The FTC? I am sure there must be other clients along with me that were on the disk that was stolen and by law they had to notify me. I have lived my last 25 years in Manhattan but am currently in Alabama caring for my 86 year old Mother if that means anything. Many thanks to you in advance.
Denise
How Often Do Creditors Report to the Credit Bureaus?
Tim Gorman asked:
Credit reports provide great details about a person including name, birth date, Social security number, home address, how payments are made, income, employment history, home ownership, previous address, court cases, judgments, and bankruptcy and foreclosure records.
Above all it gives details about a person’s credit history. These include all the creditors with balances and accounts that are closed or in collections. It will also indicate if there are any late payments, and any other irregularity. In addition it will also list the requests for that credit report by creditors during the past year and requests for credit reports including those by employers for the past two years.
These reports are maintained by three nationwide credit bureaus which use slightly different sources to compile the information. Based on the information they have credit bureaus calculate a figure called the credit score. The three credit bureaus Equifax, Transunion, Experian use different formulas to arrive at their score. The credit score can be considered a mathematical way of determining the likelihood of the borrower paying back a loan.
This information can be accessed by creditors, insurers, employers, and others who have been legitimately allowed access subject to conditions through The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). It is clear that accurate information in the credit report is important to everyone concerned not only for the person about whom it is concerned but to anyone else who may want to rely on it for decision making. As such it is important to understand how the credit report is compiled and the accuracy of the information and sources on which that compilation is made.
It is important to know how and at what frequency credit information reaches the credit bureau. On examination of their procedure, it is clear that frequency of reporting varies depending on the creditor. While some creditors will report any changes in the customers’ balances every day, others will report once a month or at longer periods. This is mainly due to efficacy reasons, since with most people there will not be much of a change in credit balances. Because of that creditors will only report if there are any changes in the credit balances. This therefore means that for some people their credit report will get updated about once a month while others may not see any change in their credit reports for 3 or 6 months. On the other hand creditors will report late payments and other negative activities quite promptly.
Karl
Credit reports provide great details about a person including name, birth date, Social security number, home address, how payments are made, income, employment history, home ownership, previous address, court cases, judgments, and bankruptcy and foreclosure records.
Above all it gives details about a person’s credit history. These include all the creditors with balances and accounts that are closed or in collections. It will also indicate if there are any late payments, and any other irregularity. In addition it will also list the requests for that credit report by creditors during the past year and requests for credit reports including those by employers for the past two years.
These reports are maintained by three nationwide credit bureaus which use slightly different sources to compile the information. Based on the information they have credit bureaus calculate a figure called the credit score. The three credit bureaus Equifax, Transunion, Experian use different formulas to arrive at their score. The credit score can be considered a mathematical way of determining the likelihood of the borrower paying back a loan.
This information can be accessed by creditors, insurers, employers, and others who have been legitimately allowed access subject to conditions through The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). It is clear that accurate information in the credit report is important to everyone concerned not only for the person about whom it is concerned but to anyone else who may want to rely on it for decision making. As such it is important to understand how the credit report is compiled and the accuracy of the information and sources on which that compilation is made.
It is important to know how and at what frequency credit information reaches the credit bureau. On examination of their procedure, it is clear that frequency of reporting varies depending on the creditor. While some creditors will report any changes in the customers’ balances every day, others will report once a month or at longer periods. This is mainly due to efficacy reasons, since with most people there will not be much of a change in credit balances. Because of that creditors will only report if there are any changes in the credit balances. This therefore means that for some people their credit report will get updated about once a month while others may not see any change in their credit reports for 3 or 6 months. On the other hand creditors will report late payments and other negative activities quite promptly.
Karl
Free Credit Report Online: Useful Tips
Charle Lawrence asked:
As per the Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act 2003, the top credit bureaus Equifax, Experian, and Trans Union offer online credit repots that too free. Credit reports are crucial for two reasons. Firstly, you can make out any error in your credit history and take effective measures within due time. Such an error may fetch you poor credit, which would contract your chances of finding financial aid in the near future at decent rates. The second reason is to ensure that there is no identity theft and your personal details are secured. With knowledge you can take required steps and make rectifications. Let us know all about free credit report online and how you can get one in a simplified manner.
Taking account of your credit score also benefits you prior to applying for loans, as it is taken as a parameter of your credibility. It also affects the interest rates of the loan amount and a good credit score lands you a better position to negotiate a beneficial deal with the lender. You can have three free credit reports from each bureau, once in a year. You can go through some of the authentic sites and order reports from different agencies at different time of the year. This is a sensible way to keep track over your credit status throughout the year. The online mode is advisable because it is fast and there are lesser chances of your report getting lost or misplaces due to any mishap.
Every bureau has its own set of questions for you to confirm your identity. This may include the balance on a specific credit card account. Just after your identity is verified, your report will be made accessible for you. However, always take care of the fact that you surf through authentic sites.
Renee
As per the Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act 2003, the top credit bureaus Equifax, Experian, and Trans Union offer online credit repots that too free. Credit reports are crucial for two reasons. Firstly, you can make out any error in your credit history and take effective measures within due time. Such an error may fetch you poor credit, which would contract your chances of finding financial aid in the near future at decent rates. The second reason is to ensure that there is no identity theft and your personal details are secured. With knowledge you can take required steps and make rectifications. Let us know all about free credit report online and how you can get one in a simplified manner.
Taking account of your credit score also benefits you prior to applying for loans, as it is taken as a parameter of your credibility. It also affects the interest rates of the loan amount and a good credit score lands you a better position to negotiate a beneficial deal with the lender. You can have three free credit reports from each bureau, once in a year. You can go through some of the authentic sites and order reports from different agencies at different time of the year. This is a sensible way to keep track over your credit status throughout the year. The online mode is advisable because it is fast and there are lesser chances of your report getting lost or misplaces due to any mishap.
Every bureau has its own set of questions for you to confirm your identity. This may include the balance on a specific credit card account. Just after your identity is verified, your report will be made accessible for you. However, always take care of the fact that you surf through authentic sites.
Renee
Is there a huge difference between a FICO credit score and the score given by the 3 credit bureaus?
lamontsmith13 asked:
I’ve already gotten my free credit reports from annualcreditreport.com but now I’m looking to monitor my credit score periodically from all three bureaus. I know that FICO is probably the biggest credit score service is their number that much different than what I’d get from the credit score source that Equifax, Experian and TransUnion use?
I’ve already gotten my free credit reports from annualcreditreport.com but now I’m looking to monitor my credit score periodically from all three bureaus. I know that FICO is probably the biggest credit score service is their number that much different than what I’d get from the credit score source that Equifax, Experian and TransUnion use?
I just don’t want to pay so much more for nothing. If FICO says my Experian credit score is 700 and I go to Experian.com and their service says my score is 692, I don’t see the difference.
Thanks.
Sean
Credit Scores?
stillbouncy asked:
Why are the credit scores reported by the three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian and Trans Union) higher when requested by the individual credit holder, but lower to a potential lender who “pulls your credit.”
Hector
Why are the credit scores reported by the three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian and Trans Union) higher when requested by the individual credit holder, but lower to a potential lender who “pulls your credit.”
Hector
Free Annual Credit Report
Posted by admin in Personal Finance on September 26, 2009
Michael Killian asked:
Would FREE copies your credit report be of interest? If you are committed to repairing your credit or simply want to know what is on your credit report, I have good news for you. A free copy of your credit report is available to every consumer annually. This article discusses the free report as well as repairing your credit report once you have your credit file on hand.
Colorado, Georgia, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey and Vermont always had a right to one free report per bureau each year. But now this same benefit is available in every state – one FREE credit report from each of the three major national credit bureaus every 12 months.
Additionally, consumers may be entitled to a free report under certain other conditions, such as having been denied credit, insurance or a job within the past 60 days. You’re also entitled to a free report if you think your report is inaccurate due to fraud.
But under the new law, Equifax, Experian and TransUnion have an online site where you can get a free report at Annual Credit Report. There is also a toll-free phone number: 877-322-8228. Finally you can write to P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281. Yahoo News suggests: “If you do use the postal address, it’s best to print and mail in a completed online request form. You can’t get your report unless you answer questions on the form.” There is also information available through Federal Trade Commission.
You can purchase additional reports and/or a credit score by contacting one of the consumer credit reporting companies.
Equifax
Experian
TransUnion
You can also purchase a credit score when you request your free annual credit report through Annual Credit Report (referenced above.)
You might want to note that each bureau offers credit ID fraud called safeguard services, but for fees. For example TransUnion offers “ID Fraud Watch”. For $10.95 each quarter, you get a credit report every three months and $25,000 of identity theft insurance.
Once you have your report, what do you look for?
Here are some basic things you should check on your report. Go through your entire report entry by entry. Have the credit agency legend by your side in order to verify coding compliance. Have also a paper and pencil to annotate any item you find in error. Go slowly.
Don’t assume your personal information is correct. You could be viewing information from someone else’s report with just a simple error such as: first name misspelled, missing Jr./Sr., erroneous address, bad zip code, wrong employer, or any other incorrect personal data.
Insure marital information is correct. Are accounts listed as “joint” really joint?
Is the report in compliance with court settlements? Outdated information is normally considered to be any item older than 7 years except for bankruptcy, which is usually 10 years.
Closed accounts should not be listed as open. Accounts you closed should reflect, “Closed by consumer”. Otherwise it can be assumed that it was closed by the creditor– not good.
Accounts should not appear twice even in different sections.
Incorrect histories such as late payments, a credit entry you do not recognize, a pre-marital debt of your current spouse, or other such items need your attention.
Are there missing reports that would be beneficial to show a good history, and are profiles, credit limits, and balances correct?
A former correction to your credit file that has since disappeared should be brought to the agency’s attention.
_________________________________
Final Comments: I am often asked if a collection company sells your account to another collection agency, can you get the first one deleted from your report or will it just show as a zero balance
Reporting depends on who owns the account there are several directions this can take:
If the original creditor still owns the account but assigns the debt to a collection company then both get to report on that account listing.
If the original creditor retracts the collection and re-assigns it to a new collection agency then both original creditor and the 2nd collection agency can report but the first one must remove their listing off of the credit report.
If the original creditor sells the debt to a collection agency then the creditor will report zero balance / sold to another lender, and the collection agency will report.
If that collection agency assigns a debt to another collection agency then it is allowable for both to report the account listing, but if they take back that account then that assigned collection agency must remove their reporting.
Now if that collection agency sells the debt to another collection agency they get to keep their reporting on the report since they owned the account at one time, and the new collection agency picks up on the reporting.
Therefore, the difference is if your account is “assigned” or “sold”.
Readers will probably be interested to know Mike, the author of this article, also offers a free debt elimination mini-course via e-mail. You can enroll at Debt Free In 7.5 Years.
Charlotte
Would FREE copies your credit report be of interest? If you are committed to repairing your credit or simply want to know what is on your credit report, I have good news for you. A free copy of your credit report is available to every consumer annually. This article discusses the free report as well as repairing your credit report once you have your credit file on hand.
Colorado, Georgia, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey and Vermont always had a right to one free report per bureau each year. But now this same benefit is available in every state – one FREE credit report from each of the three major national credit bureaus every 12 months.
Additionally, consumers may be entitled to a free report under certain other conditions, such as having been denied credit, insurance or a job within the past 60 days. You’re also entitled to a free report if you think your report is inaccurate due to fraud.
But under the new law, Equifax, Experian and TransUnion have an online site where you can get a free report at Annual Credit Report. There is also a toll-free phone number: 877-322-8228. Finally you can write to P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281. Yahoo News suggests: “If you do use the postal address, it’s best to print and mail in a completed online request form. You can’t get your report unless you answer questions on the form.” There is also information available through Federal Trade Commission.
You can purchase additional reports and/or a credit score by contacting one of the consumer credit reporting companies.
Equifax
Experian
TransUnion
You can also purchase a credit score when you request your free annual credit report through Annual Credit Report (referenced above.)
You might want to note that each bureau offers credit ID fraud called safeguard services, but for fees. For example TransUnion offers “ID Fraud Watch”. For $10.95 each quarter, you get a credit report every three months and $25,000 of identity theft insurance.
Once you have your report, what do you look for?
Here are some basic things you should check on your report. Go through your entire report entry by entry. Have the credit agency legend by your side in order to verify coding compliance. Have also a paper and pencil to annotate any item you find in error. Go slowly.
Don’t assume your personal information is correct. You could be viewing information from someone else’s report with just a simple error such as: first name misspelled, missing Jr./Sr., erroneous address, bad zip code, wrong employer, or any other incorrect personal data.
Insure marital information is correct. Are accounts listed as “joint” really joint?
Is the report in compliance with court settlements? Outdated information is normally considered to be any item older than 7 years except for bankruptcy, which is usually 10 years.
Closed accounts should not be listed as open. Accounts you closed should reflect, “Closed by consumer”. Otherwise it can be assumed that it was closed by the creditor– not good.
Accounts should not appear twice even in different sections.
Incorrect histories such as late payments, a credit entry you do not recognize, a pre-marital debt of your current spouse, or other such items need your attention.
Are there missing reports that would be beneficial to show a good history, and are profiles, credit limits, and balances correct?
A former correction to your credit file that has since disappeared should be brought to the agency’s attention.
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Final Comments: I am often asked if a collection company sells your account to another collection agency, can you get the first one deleted from your report or will it just show as a zero balance
Reporting depends on who owns the account there are several directions this can take:
If the original creditor still owns the account but assigns the debt to a collection company then both get to report on that account listing.
If the original creditor retracts the collection and re-assigns it to a new collection agency then both original creditor and the 2nd collection agency can report but the first one must remove their listing off of the credit report.
If the original creditor sells the debt to a collection agency then the creditor will report zero balance / sold to another lender, and the collection agency will report.
If that collection agency assigns a debt to another collection agency then it is allowable for both to report the account listing, but if they take back that account then that assigned collection agency must remove their reporting.
Now if that collection agency sells the debt to another collection agency they get to keep their reporting on the report since they owned the account at one time, and the new collection agency picks up on the reporting.
Therefore, the difference is if your account is “assigned” or “sold”.
Readers will probably be interested to know Mike, the author of this article, also offers a free debt elimination mini-course via e-mail. You can enroll at Debt Free In 7.5 Years.
Charlotte