alary of more than $75,000. An application for credit or life insurance for more than $150,000. Tax liens that are not paid.
For additional information on the length of time that negative information can remain on your credit report, read the "Ask Max" section of the Experian web site, www.experian.com/ask_max/deleting_information.html .
3. Accessing the Credit Report: Who Can See What?
How Can I Get a Copy?
Who has access to my report?
Anyone with a legitimate business need can gain access to your credit history, including:
- Those considering granting you credit.
- Insurance companies.
- Employers and potential employers (but only with your consent).
- Companies with which you have a credit account for account monitoring purposes. Those considering your application for a government license or benefit if the agency is required to consider your financial status. A state or local child support enforcement agency. Any government agency (limited usually to your name, address, former addresses, current and former employers).
Generally, only an employer or prospective employer needs your written consent to obtain a report. An exception is Vermont where any user needs your oral or written consent. In practice, most potential creditors ask for your permission to review your report. Your permission is not required when inquiries are made in connection with a pre-approved credit offer.
Can I find out what is in my credit report?
Absolutely. Your right of access is mandated by federal and state laws. We strongly recommend that you review your credit reports on a regular basis in order to check for accuracy, especially in this age of rampant identity theft.
Credit reports are used to make a number of critical decisions that go far beyond your ability to obtain credit cards and loans. These include renting an apartment, seeking employment, and obtaining insurance. You will want to make sure that your credit reports are accurate and up to date.
Free Annual Credit Reports.
Consumers can get a free copy of their credit report once a year from each of the three credit bureaus - Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
To order your free credit reports, you can call the official toll-free number, (877) 322-8228. You can also go online to www.annualcreditreport.com where you can order your reports directly. Or you can print out the form and mail your request. http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/pdf-0093-annual-report-request-form.pdf
A word of caution: Do not attempt to obtain your free annual credit reports through an Internet search for terms like "free credit report" or "free credit check." You could land on a site that sells credit reports along with fee-based credit monitoring plans and a variety of other products and services.
For more information about access to free credit reports, see the Federal Trade Commission's Facts for Consumers at http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0155-free-credit-reports .
You are not required to order all three credit reports at the same time. If you wish, you can stagger your free reports over the course of a year by ordering one report every four months. This way, you are monitoring your credit reports on an ongoing basis. But if you are an identity theft victim or are shopping for credit, it is best to order all three at one time.
There are certain times when you are entitled to an additional free copy for special circumstances. The rule that gives you free access once a year does not affect your ability to get a free report in the situations listed below. You are entitled to a free credit report:
- If you have been denied credit (you must request a copy within 60 days) If you are unemployed and intend to apply for employment in the next 60 days If you are on public welfare assistance If you have reason to believe your file contains inaccurate information due to fraud or identity theft If an adverse decision related to your employment has been made based in whole or in part on information contained in the report If your report has been revised based upon an investigation you request
Further, the laws in