How to Request a Credit Reference

Whether you are a consumer or in the business of lending money or financing items on credit, know how to request a credit reference. A credit reference provides information about your past borrowing history from other lenders and can be a deterrent to receiving a loan, especially if it indicates many nonpayment or late payment issues. Many companies use your credit scores and references as a method to determine whether you will repay a loan and how good a credit risk you will be.

Instructions

Self

1

Know your credit history. List all your credit references and their mailing address.

2

Compose a written request to each company. Include your name, account or credit card number and the mailing address to send the credit reference. Sign and date the letter. Copy and mail it.

3

Contact the company's online website. Type "credit reference procedure" into the search engine of the site. Download any required forms. Follow the procedures outlined on the screen. Copy the request and mail the form to the company.

Company

4

Contact an attorney. Request the preparation of a legal waiver document to give you permission to request the credit reference. Attach the document to all new applications.

5

Present the waiver to all new clients requesting a loan or credit. Ask them to read the waiver. Have them sign and date the waiver, after reading, to allow you access to their credit references.

6

Compose written correspondence for a credit reference. Add the waiver to the correspondence. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope.