At one time getting free credit history checks would be useful only every few years, when you
got a car loan or a mortgage. Now employers look at credit reports to see who they'll hire,
insurance companies check them to determine your rates and identity theft and credit fraud
have become the country's fastest growing crimes. So the value of free credit history checks
has increased substantially. And if there are any errors or omissions on your credit report,
you're the only one who can see that they're corrected.
If you should find an error or missing information in your free credit history checks, then
you can get the problem resolved following the guidelines of the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
The credit bureau that issued the report is required to investigate a disputed item within
30 days of your notification. The bureau then contacts the creditor who supplied the original
information. If the creditor doesn't respond or agrees that an error was made, then the negative
information is either removed or corrected. If the negative information isn't corrected to your
satisfaction then you have the option of making a hundred word statement about the item.
The credit bureau must include this statement on your future credit reports.
Besides looking for errors in your free credit history checks, also watch for old negative
information that should be removed. Common items like a delinquent account can be reported
for only 7 years. This limit also applies to public matters like judgments and tax liens. Civil cases
can be reported for more than 7 years if their statute of limitations is longer and criminal cases
have no time limit. Also there are no limits on reporting any negative information when applying
for a loan or insurance of $150,000 or more, or if seeking a job that pays $75,000 or greater.
For free credit history checks with a free copy of your credit report and free 30 days of credit
monitoring, please go to
free instant credit reports.
