Some recent scams have involved people's credit ratings. Here's how one might work. A so-called credit repair advisor removes information from a good credit record to repair a client's bad credit rating. In many cases, this is done when both parties have similar names. You may not know that you have been a victim of such a scam until you apply for a loan, employment, or insurance, and you are turned down on the basis of your credit report. If you are curious about what's listed, or if you suspect that incorrect information exists in your credit record, the Fair Credit Reporting Act gives individuals the right to know the contents of their files.
Contact your local credit bureau and for a small fee, you can obtain a copy of your report. If you have been turned down for credit recently, you can get a copy of your file at no charge if you contact the agency within 60 days of receiving the notice. Consumers are encouraged to review their credit reports periodically.
Credit bureaus now provide a copy of your credit report free of charge under other circumstances. You are entitled to one free report per year if you certify in writing that: (1) you are unemployed and plan to look for a job within 60 days, (2) you are on welfare, or (3) your report is inaccurate because of fraud.
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Some recent scams have involved people's credit ratings. Here's how one might work. A so-called credit repair advisor removes information from a good credit record to repair a client's bad credit rating. In many cases, this is done when both parties have similar names. You may not know that you have been a victim of such a scam until you apply for a loan, employment, or insurance, and you are turned down on the basis of your credit report. If you are curious about what's listed, or if you suspect that incorrect information exists in your credit record, the Fair Credit Reporting Act gives individuals the right to know the contents of their files.
Contact your local credit bureau and for a small fee, you can obtain a copy of your report. If you have been turned down for credit recently, you can get a copy of your file at no charge if you contact the agency within 60 days of receiving the notice. Consumers are encouraged to review their credit reports periodically.
Credit bureaus now provide a copy of your credit report free of charge under other circumstances. You are entitled to one free report per year if you certify in writing that: (1) you are unemployed and plan to look for a job within 60 days, (2) you are on welfare, or (3) your report is inaccurate because of fraud.