Not sure who may be aware of this or not, but this service [below] is something that I’ve been screaming the public has deserved for many years, especially since the beginning of the digital age.
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/freereports.htm
You see, the three HUGE credit reporting agencies…..Experian, Equifax & TransUnion [< << the last one featured in the movie Fight Club.....or should i say demolished.......fofl] buy and sell your personal information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. [along w/ CHOICEPOINT = http://www.choicepoint.com/site.html , which deals more along the lines of collecting and selling ALL YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION....jobs you've worked, health care, personal habits, arrests, criminal records, credit info, rental history, addresses, schools attended, background, etc...etc...., not just the financial side of your history]
Congress, in their infinite wisdom [dur-hur], finally decided that instead of these jack-asses charging everyone for their OWN INFORMATION [$8.50 a pop], that we, the consumer, could finally receive a free ‘credit report’ from each of the 3 agencies at LEAST ONCE A YEAR.
[Sometimes different info appears on different reports.]
Basically, up to now, I’ve used [more like abused the hell out of] their phone system by consistently claiming that I may have received a ‘negative rating’ on some recent request/application, which automatically awarded me [or anyone for that matter] the opportunity to receive a free credit report. [There is nothing inherently illegal about this, but it is a nice 'slap in the face' to those EVOL data peddlers.] Whenever I’ve received any of these reports, I have just repeatedly disputed anything negative for as long as possible, as many times as possible, until the negative item was removed. You see, if any of the credit agencies do not receive a WRITTEN RESPONSE from a creditor/bank/collector you have a delinquent account with, within 30 days, they automatically remove that item……and it NEVER RETURNS, regardless if they receive a response AFTER THE 30 DAYS. [!hooray for loopholes!]
Negative items [judgments/collections/past due bills] on your report stick for 7 YEARS, while bankruptcies [and the like] stick for 10 YEARS. Furthermore, every little negative item hurts you whether you’ve paid it off or not, for it doesn’t remove the negative entry…..only the amount you still owe. [which makes it practically meaningless to payoff something that has already been reported to a collection agency/bureau!]
Check it:
AnnualCreditReport.com is a centralized service for consumers to request annual credit reports. It was created by the three nationwide consumer credit reporting companies, Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.AnnualCreditReport.com processes requests for free credit file disclosures (commonly called credit reports). Under the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACT Act) consumers can request and obtain a free credit report once every 12 months from each of the three nationwide consumer credit reporting companies. AnnualCreditReport.com provides consumers with the secure means to do so.
The three nationwide consumer credit reporting companies have always encouraged consumers to regularly review their credit reports. AnnualCreditReport.com offers consumers a fast and convenient way to request, view and print their credit reports in a secure Internet environment. We also provide options to request reports by telephone and by mail.
AnnualCreditReport.com is the only service authorized by Equifax, Experian and TransUnion for this purpose. Please note that, as a security precaution, consumers should never provide their personal information to any other company or person in connection with requesting free annual credit reports under the FACT Act. AnnualCreditReport.com will not approach consumers via email, telemarketing or direct mail solicitations.
Equifax
Equifax Inc. (NYSE: EFX) is a global leader in turning information into intelligence. For businesses, Equifax provides faster and easier ways to find, approve and market to the right customers. For consumers, Equifax offers easier instantaneous ways to buy products or services, and better insight into and management of their personal credit. Headquartered in Atlanta, Equifax reported annual revenue of over $1.2 billion in 2003, and employs over 4,500 employees in 12 countries in North America, Latin America and Europe. Equifax. Information That Empowers.
For more information, please visit http://www.equifax.com.
Experian
Experian is a global leader in providing information solutions to organizations and consumers. It helps organizations find, develop and manage profitable customer relationships by providing information, decision-making solutions and processing services. It empowers consumers to understand, manage and protect their personal information and assets. Experian works with more than 50,000 clients across diverse industries, including financial services, telecommunications, health care, insurance, retail and catalog, automotive, manufacturing, leisure, utilities, e-commerce, property and government. Experian is a subsidiary of GUS plc and has headquarters in Nottingham, UK, and Costa Mesa, California. Its 12,000 people in 26 countries support clients in more than 60 countries. Annual sales exceed $2.5 billion.
For more information, please visit http://www.experian.com.
TransUnion
TransUnion is a leading global information solutions company that customers trust as a business intelligence partner and commerce facilitator. TransUnion offers a broad range of financial products and services that enable customers to manage risk and capitalize on market opportunities. The company uses leading-edge technology coupled with extensive analytical capabilities to combat fraud and facilitate credit transactions between businesses and consumers across multiple markets. Founded in 1968, Chicago-based TransUnion employs 4,100 associates that support clients in 29 countries.
For more information, please visit http://www.transunion.com.
Currently, if you reside within any of the southeastern states, you can request a free credit report from all three agencies. It only takes a few moments, so I suggest you take advantage of this free service each and every year. [Beware, as their website applets do not seem to like WINDOWS 98!]
You can begin your FREE journey here:
https://www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/index.jsp
Tags: credit reports
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