It is essential to understand that Credit Bureaus are really just record keepers.

They keep a record of who has given you credit, when they gave you credit, how much credit you are given and whether or not you paid it back on time. When you want to obtain credit cards, loans, financing for a car or home, etc., the lender or bank will check your credit to review your financial history.

Credit Bureaus have no legal power over consumers. Banks, police or the government does not run them; so you need not be intimidated by them, they are there to help you. As Credit Bureaus, they own large computer systems capable of storing credit information on everyone in the United States. However, because of the tremendous amounts of information on their computers, there is always a chance for errors.

The Major Credit Bureaus are:

Experian
P.O. Box 2002
Allen, TX 75013
(888) 397-3742
www.experian.com

Equifax,Inc.
P.O. Box 740241
Atlanta, GA 30374
(800) 685-1111
www.equifax.com

Trans Union Corporation
P.O. Box 1000
Chester, PA 19022
(800) 888-4213
www.transunion.com


The only thing you legally need to supply the credit bureaus for a copy of your report is your name, your social security number and a legal mailing address (and yes a P.O. Box is a legal address).

The bureaus do have a right to request a copy of your social security card, If they do, give a copy of the front only. They also may request a copy of something showing your address if it is different than what is showing on the report. A billing statement that has your address will suffice. Do not send them a copy of your driver's license. Remember these bureaus are information-gathering companies who can potentially sell your information, not only for credit, but also for promotional reasons.

Before going any further, you should have copies of your current credit reports. We can run a report for you with your authorization. If you wish, you can use the sample letter on the following page as a guideline for requesting your credit reports from the 3 major bureaus. Feel free to Call us at (831) 275-0380.

The Credit Bureaus must send you copies of your credit file, free of charge (if you were recently denied credit). They will also provide you with one free copy each year. We advise against having someone you know get your credit file for you because this creates an "Inquiry" on your credit report, and makes it appear as if you are trying to borrow money from somewhere, and it may negativily impact your credit score.

Look for collection accounts. Equifax lists them at the end of the report, Trans Union mixes them throughout the report. Experian gives a brief paragraph explanation of all accounts. The collections may have a collector's name or account number you do not recognize. If you don't recognize the account as being one of yours, don't assume that it is, get answers!

We are in the business of obtaining the best possible loan to meet your needs and goals, we are NOT in the credit repair business. You can remove erroneous information from your credit report by following instructions contained in this section of our website, or seek the help of a true professional, NOT a "Credit repairing agency" - that is the worst thing you can do! Disclaimer: This website section has been prepared for general information purposes only. The information in this section is not legal advice. Legal advice is dependent upon the specific circumstances of each individual situation. Laws may vary from state to state. We are not lawyers. We do not offer legal advice. The issues discussed on this site are the expression of the personal experiences of laypersons. Finally, the information contained in this section of the website is not guaranteed to be up to date. Therefore, the information contained in this section cannot replace the advice of competent legal counsel licensed in your state. Disclaimer of Warranty. The materials, information and forms available in this section of the website are provided without any warranties, express, implied or statutory. Any and all implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose are hereby disclaimed.