| Almost ten years ago, I was looking to buy a new | | | | my own home because I had moved to a new city. I |
| home. A builder was advertising a "no down-payment | | | | decided to rent for a while, just in case I did not like the |
| mortgage". With my permission, he pulled a copy of | | | | new town. I did not have an active credit card, |
| my credit report and told me that I had problems. I | | | | because I do not like credit cards. They sometimes get |
| knew that I was entitled to a free credit report. Without | | | | me into trouble. But, I was sure that this alone was not |
| a credit card, I began searching on-line for a source. | | | | reason to refuse me into his no down payment |
| The builder told me that the credit bureau was in town | | | | program. So, my search began for a free credit report |
| and that I could get a free credit report without a credit | | | | without a credit card. The builder said that I should be |
| card if I went directly to the credit bureau. I could not | | | | able to get one on-line, but that I would probably have |
| even find the address. | | | | to pay a fee. This made no sense to me, because I |
| For your information, if you are ever denied credit. The | | | | knew that I was entitled to a free copy. |
| lender is required to provide you with the name and | | | | I found a site that offered a free credit report without |
| address of the credit bureau which provided them with | | | | a credit card. They said they would send me my "free |
| the information they used in reviewing your application. | | | | credit report" in the mail in a couple of weeks. My free |
| You are entitled to a free credit report, without a credit | | | | credit report without a credit card turned out to be a |
| card, within 60 days of the denied application. | | | | magazine. The title was "My Free Credit Report". This |
| This builder was a little strange. He printed out a copy | | | | was my free copy, but they wanted me to know that |
| and waved it in front of my face, telling me that he | | | | subscribing was easy. I would be billed in three easy |
| was not supposed to even let me see the report. He | | | | installments. I think that at this point, I gave up looking |
| told me that in a couple of years, I might be able to | | | | for a free credit report without a credit card. Having a |
| qualify for his program. I had no idea what information | | | | case of "sour grapes", I decided that I was not ready |
| he was talking about. I had owned and recently sold | | | | to buy a new house anyway. |