Give me some ideas about Annual Credit Reports?
Most folks probably are aware free credit reports are available
beginning December 1 for resident of the Western states.
I requested one report, but the process did not go smoothly.
Lots of ads for additional services, which you decline, then at the
end I got a blank page instead of a report. Calling EQuifax resolved
the problem, but I was hoping a phone call would not be needed.
One can request any or all three reports. I plan on getting one every
four months so I can keep on top of it over time.
From their site: "You are entitled to receive one free credit file
disclosure every 12 months from each of the nationwide consumer credit
reporting companies through the Central Source. It is entirely your
choice whether you order all three credit file disclosures at the same
time or order one now and others later. The advantage of ordering all
three at the same time is that you can compare them. (However, you
will not be eligible for another free credit file disclosure from the
Central Source for 12 months.) On the other hand, the advantage of
ordering one now and others later (for example, one credit file
disclosure every four months) is that you can keep track of any
changes or new information that may appear on your credit file
disclosure."
And you, Give me some ideas about Annual Credit Reports?
-I ordered all 3 reports, but had a problem at the TransUnion
site. They wanted me to confirm my "street address," which I
tried to do several times, unsuccessfully, until it finally
"timed out" on me. In retrospect, I think what they wanted was
simply the street NAME rather than my complete street ADDRESS.
So I had to place a phone call to order that report. The phone
call was a royal pain because their voice recognition system
didn't seem to recognize ~my~ voice. I was prompted to repeat
everything several times until eventually transferred to a
voicemail (sort of) system. I won't be surprised if I never
receive that report!
-You can obtain more free reports. For example, by disputing items that are
inaccurate.
-My experiences were similiar. The bureaus are NOT consumer friendly, but I
suspect they get a TON of phone calls.
Every lawyer I work with says it is better to communicate with them in
writing, which is fine with me, because I write a lot of letters every day.
The person that would not benefit from doing some cleaning up of their
credit bureau reports is a rare animal these days.
-Interesting experience that I hope all are trying...
My equifax went fine, but experion (sp?) just gave
a blank page at the beginning; will save them for 4
months hence. Equifax seemed to jump to wrong
conclusions based on spotty reports, but since
they weren't negative I can let them pass.
There was one strange thing not in the report,
but a dialogue beforehand. Asked me if I set
up a mortgage 2 years ago (no) and if it was
with certain banks for certain amounts.
Same questions were asked when I set up some
broker account online. Wonder if that was an
attempted ID theft that they fended off and were
trying to confirm.