Annual Credit Reports

[eleny]

I was just watching CNN and they talked about annual credit reports. Because of a recent law, we can check with the three credit report companies once a year for free. It can be done online at this web site https://www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/index.jsp

[I_Make_Mistakes]

1. Good to post this, NJ has had it for awhile. I actually got suckered

into joining a group that allows you to check it whenever to make sure there are no problems ($7.95/mo). Do not do this, apparently, even if you check your credit yourself, you can negatively affect your own credit score. I did it because I started receiving credit apps. for a male with my last name, I don't have bros. and no ex husbands, and I am the only owner of this property. I bought this property, brand spanking new, so, I was worried about identity fraud.

[eleny]

2. I heard about negatively affecting credit by checking on it

Doesn't that sound so screwy? I'd like to know more about this like how many checks is bad enough to send a report tanking.

[I_Make_Mistakes]

3. I temporarily had over $40,000.00 in my checking account and

went to write a check at Victoria's Secret for $70.00, (I had also, just paid off some decent credit cards balances.). I think it was Equifax that refused to verify my check.

I was so pissed, thank god, I had the cash on hand. When I called them, they said that I had written a lot of checks recently which lead to them declining me. I said don't you check the amts. in the accounts they said no.

Just to add, I had a really good credit rating at the time so I don't know what their criteria is. It is crazy that these mistake ridden companies have so much control over our lives.

[eleny]

4. Your experience reminds me of something

During the Carter administration he urged people to ditch their credit cards and tighten our belts because of inflation. I got rid of my only credit card - the Master Charge. Some time after, I went to the department store to get a few pair of slacks and wrote a check. No credit card number to secure my check. I politely told them that I got rid of the cc at Carter's request and that if they didn't want to accept my check it was okay - I didn't need to get the slacks. The clerk consulted with her supervisor and I got my slacks. I wonder what would happen these days?