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Credit Report FAQ
This article answers nine of the most frequently asked questions you may have about your credit report. These include: why there are three credit bureaus, how long negative history says on the report, the top ways to rebuild your credit score, and how soon you can expect to see a credit score develop if you are just beginning to get credit.

The Three Major Credit Bureaus
This article provides information on how to contact the three major credit bureaus to obtain your credit report or to alert creditors to a possible fraud using your name. The contact information for Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion are included here.

Credit Reports: Simple Mistakes can be Costly
Much depends on your credit record and credit score. This article includes a concise list of helpful strategies from the FDIC that can help enhance and protect your credit score. Such strategies include: paying bills on time, paying the minimum amount required, not allowing debts levels to get too high, not owning too many credit cards, and periodically checking credit reports.

How to Dispute Credit Report Errors
It is very important to keep information in your credit report complete and accurate. You could be denied credit, insurance, or employment because of inaccurate or incomplete information. Federal law requires that both the Credit Reporting Agency and the organization that provided the information make necessary corrections. This article describes the procedures you need to follow to get errors fixed and provides a sample dispute letter you can use.

Monitor your Credit Report: Guard Against Identity Theft
Credit bureaus can help you spot or stop identity theft. If your identity is stolen, you could be denied loans, jobs, housing, and more. In November 2003, Congress passed a law that enables you to obtain a free copy of your credit report once a year from each of the three major credit bureaus. You can use these reports to monitor your credit and protect yourself against identity theft. The following article gives four steps you can take in the event your identity is stolen. It also provides a website to get a simple affidavit you can use to dispute fraudulent debts and accounts opened by an identity thief.

For General Information from Financial Regulators
Different agencies regulate the various forms of banking institutions in the United States. This article gives you information on how to contact these agencies for answers to your questions about deposit insurance coverage and suggests ways to resolve issues. Find out how to reach the following agencies: the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), which insures deposits at almost all banks and savings associations; the Federal Reserve System, which regulates most state-chartered banks; the Office of the Comptroller, which regulates national banks; the Office of Thrift Supervision, which supervises savings and loan associations; and the National Credit Union Administration, which charters and supervises credit unions.

Bad Checks: Bad News for Your Record
Just as credit reporting agencies monitor your credit, there are also companies that monitor how you manage or mismanage your checking account. One bounced check can make it difficult for you to get a new bank account or get merchants to accept your checks. This article describes your rights and what you can do if you believe there has been an error in reporting a check you have written.

Contact Information for the Federal Trade Commission
This article gives you the names, phones numbers, and websites of several federal agencies from which you can get information that will assist you in filing a complaint involving your credit files or identity theft.

Federal Laws Protecting You and Your Credit Files
This article gives a brief summary of the three federal laws that protect you and your credit: the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA), and the Fair Credit Billing Act.

Credit History 101: The ABCs of Credit Reports and Credit Scores
Credit 101 is a series of articles covering the fundamentals of credit. If you've ever applied for a job, rented an apartment, bought or leased a car, opened a bank account, applied for a mortgage or been issued a credit card, you've participated in the world of credit. This article addresses four basic questions: what is a credit report, who gets to see them, who decides what goes in credit reports, what a credit score is.

Call the Credit Bureaus to Limit Unsolicited Offers
The Fair Credit Reporting Act gives you the right to opt out or stop credit bureaus from providing your name and address to marketing lists for credit or insurance. The nation's three credit bureaus and another nationwide company, Innovis, have set up a special phone number you can call to stop solicitations.

Don't Fall for Credit-Related Scams
If you have credit problems, you may fall prey to fraud artists or companies that offer to "erase" a credit history or "fix" your debt troubles. Be careful not to put yourself more at risk with offers that seem too good to be true. First, you should try to cut spending, increase savings, and pay off high-cost loans. You can also take advantage of credit counseling services listed in the Yellow Pages or on the Internet. Independently check out unfamiliar services with your trusted advisor or your state consumer protection office.

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Disclaimer: This information has been compiled and provided by Credit.com as a service to the public. While our goal is to provide information that will help consumers to manage their credit and debt, this information should not be considered legal advice. Such advice must be specific to the various circumstances of each person's situation, and the general information provided on these pages should not be used as a substitute for the advice of competent legal counsel.

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