DISQUS

Consumerism Commentary: Answering Mail: Free Annual Credit Reports, Online Savings Accounts

  • Jimmy · 5 months ago
    Actually it is not uncommon for certain police departments to require you to present your latest credit report during the application process.

    Do not even ask me why.

    Jimmy
  • mapgirl · 5 months ago
    Jimmy - In DC it is very common to have a credit check done as part of a basic SF-85 application for a public trust clearance. That's for nearly anyone who works for the government as an employee or contractor. People with financial troubles are poor security risks.
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    Flexo,
    In my experience, the TransUnion credit report forces you to sign up for their mailing list, so when I am volunteer credit counseling, we usually obtain Equifax and Experian reports to review with clients and tell them they can get the TransUnion one on their own. So if people don't have a burning desire to check all three, they may wish to skip TransUnion altogether.

    There are lots of screens in the process, so people should be *extremely* attentive to what they are clicking. I have to keep up the chatter and educational information while helping clients and it is VERY EASY to misclick. (I haven't misclicked yet, but I will totally stop talking and stare at the screen to make sure I am clicking the right boxes for my clients.)

    While I was undergoing the renting process, some of the landlords wanted you to print out your own credit reports for them to review. That avoids them having to pay a fee for it, and still take your $25 application fee.
  • SavingEverything · 5 months ago
    Besides the 3 free credit reports from the annualcreditreport available every 12-month periods, as required by the federal government, you are entitled to 1 more credit report from 1 of 3 credit bureaus if your residence is in CO, GA, ME, MD, MA, NJ, or VT! (if you live in 1 of these states, then you probably have to request your free report by phone the credit bureau.) Also, according to the FCRA, you're entitled to a free personal credit report if you were denied or notified of adverse action related to credit, employment, insurance, or other initiated by you within last 60 days, you were denied a house or apartment rental, or if you certify you are unemployed, or you certify you're recipient of public welfare assistance, or you certify that you have reason to believe there is inaccurate info due to fraud.