December 26,2008
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Fixing Your Credit Report, Pt.1 –
– A good start to undo the bad.If knowledge is power, a great place to start is to access our free copy from the bureau that's hurting us the most (likely TransUnion, Equifax or Experian). Since we're allowed only one free copy per year from each of these three bureaus, we might as well fix the offending one first and space our next two free requests apart to see what got fixed and what still needs fixing. By waiting a few months in between requests, we can enjoy the free services over time and better track what's going on (if married, we get double the fun because each partner gets their own freebees). Credit card companies don't always follow up on updating the bureaus. The bureaus may drag their feet even after the credit card companies have done their part. So this is generally the better route to follow, instead of finding out another credit card approval has been rejected because of the same mis-information that borne the problems in the first place.
Two ‘fairly convenient' methods are provided for requesting these credit reports. The first is just a telephone call away. Then number is: 1-877-322-8228. It's automated with a voice menu (voice activated). They'll ask if you're calling from your home phone (a good idea). You can either cut to the chase and order right now or receive instructions on the other two methods (on-line or mailed-in request). Mailings can take up to 15 days. The on-line method has the advantage of accommodating easy tracking and editing (the copy, of course). Later correspondence is easier by inserting clippings of the original problem into mailings and updates that need attention (copy&paste). Also, it's much faster...like, right now, sort of. Sort of because you may need to research the numbers of most of your credit card accounts, even those credit cards you have but have never used.