If you have the [tag]worst credit[/tag] or even the [tag]best credit[/tag], you need to be concerned about how your report is stacking up at all times. One [tag]inaccuracy on your credit report[/tag] can cause a fatal blow on your score! This may very well be the difference between you purchasing your dream home or not getting it at all!
The problems are the same for those who have good credit and bad credit. People with bad credit usually don’t care enough to monitor their credit report because of their lack of interest in improving what’s already horribly damaged. Those with good credit on the other hand are too nonchalant about viewing their reports because they feel that there couldn’t possibly be a mistake. It’s time for everyone to start caring now.
[tag]Credit reporting bureaus[/tag] can make multiple mistakes on your report simply from: typing errors, mixing Sr.’s and Jr.’s, similar names get confused, outdated delinquencies, authorized user mishaps, etc.. If there are charges you can’t remember doing, dispute it! *Be sure to remember how closing the gap between your debt and available credit can make your score much higher!*
Everyone gets a [tag]free credit report annually[/tag] in the United States from the credit bureaus known as [tag]Equifax[/tag], [tag]Experian[/tag], and [tag]Transunion[/tag]. Please take advantage of this! Here’s your free chance to view your credit report and begin disputing ludicrous charges right away! Once viewing your credit report, you should be able to find an area next to the charge that says “report an inaccuracy” or something similar. If there isn’t a button next to the area that let’s you view the description of your charge, try looking around on the site.
I would say that it’s best to dispute your charges online since everything can be seen in an electronic paper trail. Writing letters are good but certifying it won’t show concrete evidence of the letter’s content inside. When your disputes are done online, everything including what you wrote in the letter will be visible if further action needs to be taken.
After you’ve submitted your disputes, wait 30 days. You can only file a dispute on a charge once every 30 consecutive days. Once this time has elapsed you will have your results from your disputes and may be surprised at how easily some of them will disappear! Remember, if the creditor doesn’t respond within the 30 day time frame you report an inaccuracy, they must [tag]delete it from your credit report[/tag] ASAP!
April 16th, 2008 at 11:12 pm
We did as suggested and got our credit reports from those that you mentioned. Nowhere in the report did we see our credit score. Apparently, they did not feel the need to give it to us.
By the way, while it may be the case for some that have crappy credit to not bother with their credit report, we felt that we should at least see why we have that kind of credit. Yes, we did have some unpaid medical bills or late paid but is that going to nuke us forever???
If only the credit reporting agencies would be kind enough to give us the report we have asked for, that would be great.
Thanks for the post on credit reports.
April 17th, 2008 at 7:17 am
Good job Jaz on viewing your credit reports! Please keep in mind that your credit score will never be on the “report”. The report will only give you a full break down of the elements causing your score to be what it is.
You can get your score for free from Transunion for 30 days but you’ll have to cancel before that time is up. That’s who I used. Good luck!