Credit Reports Agencies Address
2010
Review Your Credit Report
Check your Credit Report
While it is not absolutely necessary that you have a perfect or extensive credit history in order to purchase a new home, having good credit is definitely a plus.
Residents of Texas can now get free copies of their credit reports every 12 months, thanks to a new federal law called the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACT) Act.
This law was created to help consumers fight identify theft, and to make sure that their credit reports are accurate. You can get a copy of your credit report from each of the three national credit reporting agencies by visiting this government authorized website:
https://www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/index.jsp
You can also requests reports by phone, by calling this toll-free number: 1-877-322-8228.
To verify your identify, you will be asked for your name, address, Social Security number, date of birth, and possibly some additional information.
It is recommended that consumers get a credit report from each of the three agencies, because the information collected by each agency may be different.
WHAT TO CHECK FOR IN YOUR REPORT
Identifying information
Name and address
Current employment
Social Security number
Date of birth
Spouse’s name
Debt
Is the debt yours?
Are the accounts, bankruptcies, tax liens or other judgments listed yours?
Are there any matters listed that you’ve already closed or resolved?
Are accounts marked delinquent when you’ve already paid?
Payments
Are the balances accurate?
Is the payment history correct?
WHAT TO DO IF YOU FIND ERRORS IN YOUR CREDIT REPORT
The credit agencies are required by law to look into disputes, usually within 30 days. Send comments on mistakes in writing to the credit agency, as well as the lender or entity that provided the inaccurate information to the agency (for example, the department store or credit card company).
If the information provider finds any data that is inaccurate, it must notify all three reporting agencies so they can make corrections. If the investigation changes your credit report, the agency must give you a free copy.
If a dispute doesn’t get resolved, you can ask for a statement of the dispute to be placed in your file and future reports.
BE CAUTIOUS ABOUT “FREE” CREDIT REPORTS
Some companies may try to sell you a “free” report. If you search the Internet for “free credit report” you’ll find many sites claiming to offer “free” reports. But these services actually charge you either directly, or by coupling the report with services such as credit monitoring.
If a website asks for your credit card information, you’re likely no longer getting just a free report. Thanks to the FACT Act, you don’t need to do business with these companies. You can request your free reports from the government authorized website.
About the Author
Lisa C. Zapalac, Principal Partner and VP Public Relations for http://www.casanuevaguide.com has been actively working in the real estate and business industry since 1996; prior to opening her own public relations company Zapalac was named editor in 1991 for the Houston Chronicle Homeline and Real Estate sections.
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