Over the past three years, I have requested reports from the three bureaus to get my file updated and as clean as possible. The objective is to buy a house soon. However, throughout the three years, each time I've order an Experian report, the contents are always different. Sometimes certain negative items are there - sometimes they're not. It's as if it depends on the mood or diligence of the clerk that compiles it. Does anyone know why? Is this what happens when a merchant requests the report? When inquiring, trying to get a clear, consistent response from them is like finding a needle in a hastack. Their response is that I'm not giving complete information, although the information I give is still the same. If its my same social security number and date of birth, why should the contents change? (Things to make you go hmmm . . . ) P.S. - Experian gives me migraines!!
Re: Experian Report Imcomplete-Why? I'd like to hear their answer-- I don't have one. Would you write to them for the answer? Would you write to them and tell them to correct the last revision?
Re: Experian Report Imcomplete-Why? When I contact them via certified mail, they send the exact duplicate report. If I wait a few months and pay for a report again, they send information that has one or two creditors that weren't on the previous report. Looking over the reports sent in three years (11 reports) - none of the reports are exactly the same. Since studying items on this board I want to start disputing and requesting validation. However, what am I up against if I can't get two reports that contain the same exact information I've started to research the FCRA to see if legally they are obligated to give a consumer EVERYTHING that is in their file each time it is requested. Is it deliberate on their part or just sloppy recordkeeping?
Re: Experian Report Imcomplete-Why? The notion of EVERYTHING in the file is interesting to me. The Fair Credit Reporting Act gives you access to "All information in the consumer's file.. ." See http://www.creditaccuracy.com/correspondence.htm#incomplete1 So, use "What'ya done for me lately?" Make the last file you obtained as your basis, and demand additions and deletions from that one. Lean on your mortgage loan officer to use the "rapid rescore" type programs now available. The credit reporting industry responded to consumer demand for it-- they'll make the corrections is days, not weeks, now. Insist that your reports are absolutely correct (yes, it costs more, and if you make a good enough paper trail, you might have a decent court case to recover). Of course, it wouldn't be necessary, in the first place, if the file is accurate. But that's another story.
Re: Experian Report Imcomplete-Why? TWO Shucks it might be 3 4 or more-whth them who knows! I still say the best thing that could happen for us is to shut them all down until they get their act together!
Re: Experian Report Imcomplete-Why? What I am trying to point out is that most companies would be and are closed down for far less serious offenses than what the credit industry is getting by with. The credit regulations are a joke: They don't protect us they get the industry out from under the law.
Re: Experian Report Imcomplete-Why? We have 2 sets of laws 1 for the credit industry and another stricter set for the other businesses.
Let me give this a try. When I had the arrow financial collection removed it showed back up on my credit report even though they sent me a letter stating it was deleted. When I called about it the rep said that it was removed at the Texas office but was not removed at the local affiliate. To me that proved that Experian's local and main offices do not communicate well. That could explain the differences in reports you get sometimes. You would have call them to find out who sent you that report. Normally my report says from Cherry Hill, NJ which is their local office but this one didnt said that but that is where the information came from. It is confusing. What I am trying to say is start disputing the errors off and may sure it is deleted from all offices.
What's wrong with this picture. How can an industry that can affect your life so adversely, have that much power without strong checks and balances. It is a travesty. They act so cavalier about their own mistakes when you contact them. I've learned so much from this forum that has helped tremendously. One of which is that persistence and diligence are necessary to protect yourself. Plus - keep a good paper trail!
You're absolutely right, Tess. And for years they stayed hidden, behind the scenes, so that consumers had no idea how they worked, and often thought that they were a government agency. My Mom was astounded when she found out you could dispute things on your credit report - to her mind, if they said you were bad, then you were bad, and there was nothing you could do to fix it. The credit/banking industry has a very powerful lobbying group in DC, and they pretty much get what they want. But I think that consumers are stronger than the lobby. They may have the money, but we have the votes - and the point of the money is getting the votes. And now thanks to the interent, we have the knowledge and means.
Breeze this is what shutting them down is about.If The Gov.won't put a stop to it. We can by not doing business with them till they get their act together. If they were shut down how long do you think it would be until they straightened up so they could open back up.
