Free Credit Check

On our website you will find information about free credit checks and a list of the best sites for credit reporting, credit scores, and credit repair.

First, let’s deal with the basics of what a credit report is, and how to interpret your credit score.

A credit report contains a wealth of information about you, the consumer. It includes social security number, date of birth, current and past addresses, all telephone numbers (including unlisted numbers), employment history, credit payment status, and legal information (pending suites, etc.).

It is good practice to under-stand your credit reporting rights and order a free credit report annually to ensure your privacy. State laws and the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) do restrict who has access to your credit information and how it can be used.

The big three credit bureaus that you should be aware of are: Equifax (800 685 1111); Experian (888 397 3742); and Trans Union (800 888 4213).

Here are your rights. You have the right to:

• Obtain a copy of your credit report at any time; and to get a free report once a year
• Get a list of those who have received a copy of your credit report
• Dispute inaccurate information contained within the report
• If negative information is in the report, you can have included an explanation
• Opt-out of having the credit bureaus use your information for marketing purposes
• Complain to the proper governmental agency, or to file a lawsuit

What is a Credit Report?
The credit report is a credit history compiled from data from many different sources; typically your creditors. Your creditors will, on a regular basis, file reports about your accounts to the three leading credit reporting agencies (CRAs): Equifax, Experian, and Trans Union. For example, if you overdraw your account at the bank, the bank would report this to the CRAs. If you are behind on your payments, the lender will inform the CRAs. If you fail to pay your child alimony, this too will be reported to the CRAs.

Included in the report are your name and any aliases; your current and previous addresses; telephone numbers; Social Security number, date of birth (year and month); and employment information. Also included are: civil judgements, tax liens, and bankruptcies.

You have the right to know who, if anyone has inquired about your credit during the last six months. This includes the identity of the person or company, and the nature of the inquiry.

Also included would be any convictions of crimes (although the big three do not generally report this, except for background checks by an employer, an application for car insurance, or an application to rent a house or apartment).

What Cannot be in a Credit Report?
Certain personal information which cannot be included in the report. Such as…

• Medical information (unless you consent) 
• Notice of Bankruptcy (Chapter 11) that is more than 10 years old. 
• Debts (including child support) that is more than 7 years old 
• For California residents: arrest records, and misdemeanor complaints must be removed after 7 years. But under Federal law, criminal convictions will remain indefinitely. 
• Age, marital status, or race. 

Certain information may remain on your report indefinitely when you applying for credit, insurance or employment above the limits noted below:

• A credit transaction of over $150,000 
• A job application for a salary of more than $75,000 
• An application for credit or life insurance for more than $150,000 
• Tax liens that are not paid 

For information on the length of time for negative information, go to the Experian website: www.experian.com/ask_max/deleting_information.html/