| For anyone asking the question "how do I check my | | | | items by contacting the creditor who made the claim |
| credit rating?" here is a fast and easy solution plus | | | | directly and requesting that they be removed urgently. |
| some other useful tips on what to look for once you | | | | - You will obviously need to have evidence to prove |
| get it. | | | | the claims wrong, so assuming that you do you would |
| Every consumer is now entitled to one free credit file | | | | also want the creditor to issue a written notice to the |
| disclosure (credit report) annually under the Fair and | | | | credit bureau and of course a copy for yourself. |
| Accurate Credit Transactions Act (the FACT Act). | | | | - Be particularly insistent that they issue this in writing, |
| There are 3 national credit bureaus who collate all the | | | | stating their error and clearly stating you were not |
| credit data and pass it on to a Central Source called | | | | party to the claim. Also make sure it's on their |
| and this is where you can obtain your free annual | | | | letterhead with all the relevant details shown and it's |
| report. | | | | signed. |
| The 3 national credit bureaus are Equifax, TransUnion | | | | - If you find a clerical error such as incorrect identity or |
| and Experian | | | | the like, you would contact any of the 3 credit bureaus |
| So here's how to do obtain your free credit report and | | | | and have them correct this in the same manner as |
| what to look for once you get it: | | | | above. |
| - Visit and go through the due request process | | | | - Next you would check your credit report and request |
| - Once you receive your report, review it and check | | | | removal of any old or delinquent charges that are no |
| that all the credit entries are correct, and that there are | | | | longer valid. These would include file comments more |
| no false claims made by any of your creditors (such | | | | than 7 years old, past creditor claims of non-payment |
| as late payments that you know not to be the case) | | | | which have since been paid in full and minor items |
| or incorrect identity details made which may have an | | | | more than 5 years old. |
| impact on your credit rating and credit score. It's | | | | - If you have been adjudged bankrupt you would want |
| surprising how often this actually occurs. | | | | to check that there are no claims from creditor |
| - (Just in case you are not aware: your credit rating is | | | | accounts which were included under the "closed files" |
| a snapshot of your current credit position which allows | | | | of your bankruptcy. You may face a bit of resistance |
| creditors to see things like your current debt balances, | | | | from creditors, but by law these files all fall under the |
| payment history etc. Your credit score is a three digit | | | | umbrella of the bankruptcy and the creditor no longer |
| computer generated prediction of your future | | | | has any claim to it. |
| credit-worthiness and it is based on your past and | | | | To conclude - these are the most important elements |
| present credit transactions and history) | | | | to search and check thoroughly on any credit report |
| - In the event you do find false claims or incorrect data | | | | and this is the way I check my credit rating... I hope it |
| on your credit file you are entitled to dispute these | | | | helps you with yours. |