In light of the collection agencies post

[UncleKyle]

Anyone ever checked their credit report and find credit cards on it they didn't know they had? Last time I checked mine I had 4 cards in my name that I didn't have. I cleared it all up by calling the card companies and canceling them. But a buddy of mine checked his after I told him my story and he had 2 in his name that actually had balances on them! One was for over 2 grand! He's getting it sorted out now and it's a pain for him. Anyone else checked there's? If not you should, especially if your in your 20's, credit card companies love to latch onto us when we're young and stupid.

 

[DocRafiki]

I just got mine, went and spoke to my bank loan officer, and she explained a few things that I should be able to clear up pretty easily.

Here's another thing I had no idea about until it was explained to me -- I have a private student loan, which shows up on the report as unsecured credit, like a credit card. The initial loan amount is shown as the "credit limit," and then the current balance is higher than that. So, it looks like I'm over my credit limit on a credit card, which is bringing down my score. Unfortunately, the loan company is not working with me at all on this, so it's not as easy to fix as the lady at the bank thought it would be. The loan company phone jockey kept trying to explain to me how I didn't have a credit limit on my loan. Duh, but that's how you reported it. (any tips on how to deal with this is greatly appreciated)

No unexpected cards for me, but I do still have one that I thought I canceled over 5 years ago. And then a charge-off (due to credit fraud years ago) was reported on mine twice.

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

Thanks UncleKyle, for the reminder. It's been a few years since I've seen ours. There was something reported in error last time and in the two moves since then I haven't looked to see if it was corrected - I haven't needed additional credit. I know I faxed the company who reported the telephone account for $1500, but it was a hassle. We've moved twice since (renters) and I never bothered to look back

 

[UncleKyle]

Thanks for the info Doc, I have student loans so I'll have to check into mine to see how my credit report is.

 

[Wagamama]

how do you go about getting a free credit report? i heard somewhere that if your rejected for a credit card you can get a free report.

 

[UncleKyle]

I think if your rejected for any type of credit, you can get the name of the agency (Equafax, etc) and call them and they have to give you a credit report. I'm pretty sure this is how it works but maybe someone on the DIS knows more details.

 

[ChibiJones]

how do you go about getting a free credit report? i heard somewhere that if your rejected for a credit card you can get a free report.

Wagamama, you're in Massachusetts, right? If so, you can get one free credit report annually. I forget which company I went to, but I ordered a free report online back in January and I have never been denied credit.

Plus, if you are rejected for any form of credit, you can request a free copy of your credit report within 60 days.

Here's the fee schedule from Transunion

Here's Equifax's fee schedule