How can I get a copy of my credit report?

Contact the 3 major credit reporting repositories listed below via their toll-free telephone numbers for reports-by-mail. When making your request in writing, please include your full name, current address, social security number, and birth date.

You may obtain your credit report on-line in real time (30 seconds) from Equifax and Experian by clicking below. To date, on-line reports for TransUnion are unavailable.

Equifax: 800-685-1111

Click here to access your Equifax credit report

Experian: 888-397-3742

Click here to access your Experian (TRW) credit report

TransUnion: 800-888-4213

TransUnion credit reports are currently not available on-line

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How long does negative information remain in my credit report?

Only the passage of time can remove negative information from your credit report. Those reporting periods are: 10 years for a Chapter 7 bankruptcy and 7 years for all other items. Inquiries, which is a listing of companies that have reviewed your report, remain on file for two years.

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Is there a charge for my report?

CRA’s may charge up to $8.50 for a copy of your report unless you fall into one or more of the following three categories: 1) you’re unemployed but seeking employment, 2) you’re on public assistance, or 3) you’ve been a victim of fraud. You may also obtain a copy of your report if a company takes adverse action against you.

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What is in my credit file that keeps me from obtaining credit?

We don't know. Each credit grantor has established criteria for making credit decisions.

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What is a credit score?

A credit score is a composite that indicates how likely you are to pay on a loan or credit card as agreed. It is a predictor of future performance. It is one piece of information credit grantors use when evaluating your application for credit. Your credit score may be based solely on information in your credit file with the credit reporting agencies. Other scores may be based on a combination of credit information and other information you supply on your credit application. The way you have handled credit in the past may have a link as to how you will manage credit in the future. Credit scores cannot predict with certainty how you or anyone will manage credit. They do provide an objective estimate of how likely you are to repay on time and according to terms.

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Should I use those companies that promise to help "fix" my credit?

That is your choice. Remember, however, that these companies cannot have accurate information removed from your credit file. Much of what they do you can do yourself at little or no cost.

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What is a credit bureau and what does it do?

A credit bureau is a clearinghouse for credit history information. Credit grantors provide the bureau with factual information on how their credit customers pay their bills. The bureau assembles this information, along with public record information obtained from court houses around the country, into a "file" on each consumer. In return, credit grantors can obtain credit reports about consumers who wish to open accounts with them.

There are over 1000 local and regional credit bureaus throughout the United States. Most credit bureaus are either owned or under contract with one of the nation's three major credit reporting agencies (Trans Union, Experian and Equifax). These national agencies maintain centralized databases containing the credit records of more than 170-million Americans. Credit bureaus generate over a half- billion credit reports a year to make credit buying faster, easier, and safer for qualified consumers.

Credit bureaus do not "rate" your credit. Each credit grantor or lender has different requirements for the extension of credit, so it is impossible for anyone to create an overall "rating." Credit bureaus do not approve or reject consumer applications for credit. They merely report the information provided by the credit grantors.

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What is in my credit report?

Your credit report may contain any of the following information about you:

• Identifying information - your name, current and previous address, Social Security Number, telephone number, date of birth, and current and previous employer.
• Credit history - your history of paying bills with credit grantors (such as retail stores, banks, finance companies, and mortgage companies).
• Public records - items that may affect your creditworthiness, such as tax liens, judgments, bankruptcies, etc.
• Inquiries - lists identifying the credit grantors and other authorized parties who have received your credit report. Inquiries also contain lists of the companies that receive your name and address information for the purpose of offering you credit.

Your credit report does not contain:

• Checking or savings account information
• Medical histories
• Major purchases paid in full with cash or check
• Business accounts, unless you are personally liable for the debt
• Credit scores
• Your race, gender, religion, or national origin

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How long do accounts remain on my credit report?

In most cases, accounts that contain adverse information may remain on your credit report for up to seven years from the date of first delinquency on the account. If accounts do not contain adverse information, agencies normally report the information for the same period of time. Adverse information is defined as anything that a potential creditor may consider to be negative when making a credit granting decision.

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If I pay accounts, will they come off my credit report?

Like other credit history, paid accounts generally remain on file for seven years from the date closed if they contain any adverse information. If an account is paid and does not contain any adverse information, the account would remain on your file for ten years from the date closed.

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How long do public records remain on my credit report?

In general, civil Judgments remain on your credit report for seven years from the date filed. Tax Liens remain on file for seven years from the date paid. If the tax lien is not paid, it will remain on the file indefinitely. Chapter 13 bankruptcies, which have been dismissed or discharged, remain on file for seven years. All other bankruptcies remain on file for ten years.

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Where do they get personal information that is on my credit report?

The personal information appearing on your credit report may either be reported by a credit grantor, obtained from public records, or it could be updated in response to correspondence with the individual consumer.

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Who makes the decision to give credit?

Credit decisions are made by lenders. Each lender has its own formula for evaluating a credit application, and only the lender can tell you why they made a decision. Credit reporting agencies do not grant or deny credit. Their role is to supply the lender with the contents of the report which they can review in order to assist them in make a sound decision. Many times, the decision does not have anything to do with your credit report, but instead is based on things like your income, length of residence or employment.

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How can I correct errors on my credit report?

If you feel there is an error on your credit report, contact the office listed at the bottom of the report and file a dispute. They will acknowledge receipt of your dispute and provide a toll-free number to make it easier for you to contact them.

Investigations will be concluded within 30 days of the date we receive your request. If they cannot verify the disputed information within that time frame, the disputed item will be deleted from your credit report or updated as requested. A revised report, reflecting the results of the investigation, will be sent to you at the conclusion of the investigation.

However, if the disputed information is subsequently verified, they will reinsert the information into your file and notify you in writing within five business days.

If their investigation does not resolve the dispute, you may add a 100 word explanatory statement to your report. At your request, they will assist you in preparing the statement. You may also request a description of how they conducted the investigation including the name, address, and telephone number of anyone they contact for information.

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How long does it take to have an investigation conducted?

The Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act allows up to 30 days from the time the credit reporting agency receives your dispute for them to complete the investigation. Once the investigation is completed, but never more than 30 days from the day they receive your dispute, an updated copy of the credit report will be sent to you, via U.S. Mail, reflecting the results of the investigation.

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Can you tell me what is in my report over the telephone?

Because of the confidential nature of credit information, credit reporting agencies cannot disclose the contents of the report over the telephone.

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Who can access my credit report?

Permissible purpose is defined in Section 604 of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). A consumer reporting agency may furnish a consumer report under the following circumstances:

• In response to a court order or a Federal Grand Jury Subpoena.
• In accordance with the written instruction of the consumer.
• To a person whom we have reason to believe:
  • intends to use the report in connection with the extension of credit, or the review or collection of an account;
  • intends to use the report for insurance underwriting;
  • intends to use the report for determining the eligibility for a government license or benefit where the government agency is required to consider the consumer's financial status;
  • otherwise has a legitimate business need for the report in connection with a business transaction involving the consumer.

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How do I build a good credit history?

If you do not have a good credit history, it may be difficult for you to obtain credit. One way to begin a good credit history is to start small using the following tips:

• Apply for credit with a local retailer such as a department store
• Make a large down payment on a purchase and negotiate credit payments for the balance
• Apply for a small loan at a bank or credit union where you have checking and savings accounts

If you are rejected for credit, find out why. You may be denied credit for various reasons, including not meeting the creditor's minimum income requirement or not being at your address or job for the required amount of time. You can overcome these obstacles with time.

If you are still unable to get credit, you may wish to ask a friend or relative with an established credit history to act as a co-signer for you. A co-signer promises to repay the debt if you don't. An account established with a co-signer will usually be reported on both of your credit reports.

Consumer Credit Counseling Services

If you have a negative credit history and need help dealing with your debts, you may want to contact a Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS). This designation is used by members of the National Foundation for Consumer Credit (NFCC), a nonprofit organization with 1,450 offices in all fifty U.S. states, Puerto Rico, and Canada. An NFCC member is identified by the "member NFCC" seal. At little or no cost to you, CCCS counselors will work with your creditors to establish a repayment plan that will satisfy both you and your creditors. CCCS can also help you set up a realistic budget and plan for the future. To find the nearest CCCS office by mail or phone:

National Foundation for Consumer Credit, Inc.
8611 Second Avenue Suite 100
Silver Spring, MD 20910
1-800-388-2227

"Repair" clinics

Many states have laws regulating companies that claim they can "repair" your negative credit information. No one can have accurate information removed. You may want to check with your state attorney general or local consumer protection agency before contracting or paying for credit repair services.

Once you have obtained credit, pay your bills consistently and on time. By doing so, you establish a positive credit history that helps you obtain future credit for larger purchases, such as a house or car.

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What should I do if I'm a possible victim of credit fraud?

• Immediately report the incident to the police, especially if it involves stolen identification. Insist on receiving a complaint number.
• Immediately report all stolen cards to the issuers, and request new credit cards. Follow up with written notification.
• Notify your bank if your checks were stolen, and close your account.
• Be prepared to fill out affidavits of forgery to establish your innocence for banks, credit grantors, and recipients of stolen checks. These institutions are joint victims with you and may suffer a financial loss.
• Contact the Social Security Administration if someone is using your social security number for employment purposes. If your social security number is used only to establish credit or new accounts, Trans Union does not recommend that you change your social security number, as this may result in future complications.
• Get a new card, account number, and password if you use an ATM card for banking services. Do not renew your old password.
• Notify the postal inspector if you suspect mail theft. Theft of mail is a felony.
• Contact Trans Union, Experian, and Equifax to place fraud alerts on your credit files.

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How can I remove my name from mailing lists?

If you want your name and address removed from all mailing lists offered by the main consumer credit-reporting agencies: Trans Union, Experian, Equifax and INNOVIS, call 888-5OPTOUT (888-567-8688).

Written requests should include the following information:

• First, middle, and last names (including Jr., Sr., III)
• Current address
• Previous address (if you've moved in the last six months)
• Social Security Number
• Date of birth
• Signature

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How do I add a Consumer Statement to my credit report?

In order to add a consumer statement to your credit report, you may contact each of the three credit reporting agencies for specific instructions.

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