Credit reporting agencies provide information regarding a person's credit history and ability to make payments on time. All types of payments, including those involving utilities, cars, banking, department store credit cards and housing, are reported to the credit agencies. In addition, personal and health information, including medical history, insurance information, foreclosures, bankruptcies and even criminal information, is found in credit histories.
Credit Application Process
When a consumer applies for credit, such as applying for a gas card or a credit card, identifying information, including the applicant's Social Security number, is sent to the credit reporting agency. The agency, in turn, replies back with a credit history of the applicant. The company then determines the credit worth of the individual and makes a final decision on whether to deny or approve the application.
Consumer Rights
According to information provided by the Federal Deposit Insurance Company (FDIC), consumers have a right to request a free credit report once every 12 months. This information can be obtained by contacting:
Annual Credit Report Request Service
P.O. Box 105281
Atlanta, GA 30348-5281
877-322-8228
annualcreditreport.com
The FDIC emphasizes that consumers should not contact the three major credit reporting companies individually. It is important to review credit reports on a yearly basis to correct any misinformation and to safeguard against identity theft.
National Agencies
The three main national credit reporting agencies, Equifax, Experian and TransUnion, use different criteria to determine credit scores. Each agency maintains its own rating standards.
Local Agencies
Local credit agencies, found through online searches, also report information used in the compilation of credit scores.
Disputes
If a consumer finds incorrect information in his credit report, he may go to the Federal Trade Commission website to contest it and have it removed. This process may take 30 to 60 days. All disputes must be in writing, whether they reference incorrect information or an item dispute.
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