Free Online Credit Report Check
I recently did business with a company on the internet that advertised that
they sent their orders out within 10 business days. However, the order has
taken 3-1/2 weeks now. I also found that the company did a credit check on
me which resulted in my order being placed on hold until the results of the
credit check returned. The amount was for under $100, and I was using my
Visa card.
Somehow I thought companies were supposed to either inform you or ask your
permission to do a credit check. Does anyone know the rules on this? I
don't like the idea that someone can do a credit check without my knowing
about it. And I've heard that in some situations, you can be turned down
for credit simply because there are too many credit inquiries on your
statement.
There are two kinds of credit checks. One is a preliminary one - where
they just look at your overall rating, and this doesn't require your
permission. This is how credit card companies know to send you
"preapproved" credit applications if you have good credit, or ones for
secured cards if your credit is bad. If you look at your credit report,
under "inquiries" you will see some of these. However, these kinds of
credit inquiries don't count against you, and they have a different code
on your credit report than the full credit report, which can only
(legally) be gotten if you approve it, or give the creditor or
prospective employer your SSN. However, I don't see why someone making
a charge to your visa would need or be allowed to get a credit check -
their agreement is with Visa, and Visa pays them (if your card is
approved) whether you pay Visa or not. Perhaps your credit card was
turned down for some reason? I had a credit card turned down
repeatedly, and when I called the company they couldn't figure out why,
but the mail order company delayed my order for some time.