Someone called me last night claiming I owed a business some money. I knew it was incorrect and hopefully they corrected it.
At the end of the conversation they started telling me what was on my credit report. They told me all of my credit history. I was shocked! Maybe a lawyer could answer this one for me.
2007-01-30 10:34:58 · 23 answers · asked by ajkoolkats 2 in Business & Finance ➔ Credit
I'm not a lawyer, but here's a tip for you. I've done this and I know this works. You can send the credit agencies letters disputing certain debts and bad credit ratings. Many times they will just remove it rather than try and take the time to verify it. Another thing you can do is have the agencies put a written explanation from you as to why a debt wasn't paid due to illness or whatever. Companies do consider these explanations when applying for credit in your future.
2007-01-30 10:46:45 · answer #1 · answered by Parercut Faint 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Who was this someone?
I am not sure where you are- but in the UK you cannot be telephoned by a stranger and harrassed in that manner. You need not continue the conversation and you can ask them to desist.
As for your credit record- you have a credit record which details your credit cards, your banks and any possible debts and loans with particular emphasis on usage of credit facilities such as have you defaulted. This is true for anyone who has financial dealings and this is held on record under the data protection act. If a stranger who is not part of the organisation has this information about you then that is certainly cause for concern and you should report this possible transgression to their employer (the company they were calling from).
While this information is held on you it may also be used to do what is called a "credit check" where a company verifies that you are OK to lend money, give a loan to or to buy something on credit. Your credit score ONLY will be disclosed to the company doing the check- in that you will either be scored high and be an "acceptable" risk or you will be scored low and you will be told you cannot have whatever service/product they are offering.
So- to recap- from what you are saying a totally unknown person, who was misinformed about you owing a third party money began to recount totally protected data they had no reason to have to you?
Nope- not on.
Get it sorted and don't rely on them sorting out that third party business who you say you do not owe money to. Write and always end your letters with "Without prejudice" as you are not going to let them use your letter as "evidence" and wish them to keep it private.
2007-01-30 18:47:59 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Credit reporting agencies make money off of all kinds of businesses by keeping track of credit records. Any business with a legal claim to request a credit report, such as a business that you are applying for credit to, or in this case, a company that is acting on behalf of a company that you already have credit with, can access your credit records. However, you must be a business with those credentials. Individuals can not obtain credit records of other individuals.
2007-01-30 18:44:41 · answer #3 · answered by freeriderss 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I hope you got their name and telephone number!! Nobody should have access to your credit report! I would immediately contact a lawyer. And the credit bureaus, all 3 of them and explain what happened. They will advise you what you should do from here.
By the way yes companies that you have accounts with are allowed to check your credit report. When you signed your application you gave them the right to do so. But I'm pretty sure that they can't gain full access. They can check your scores and such but not get a list of every account you owe or have owed.
2007-01-30 18:41:18 · answer #4 · answered by pamomof4 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No: your permission is not required to get a copy of your credit report. The information on your credit report that is personal is not relied.
If I am a business that is considering giving you credit, I can get a copy of your credit report, It cost me and you may not do business with me.
As per the creditor that called you, have your account checked and make sure that there is no listing for a bill that is due. Many mistakes are made by collection services.
2007-01-30 18:50:15 · answer #5 · answered by whatevit 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No, you don't need written permission. Not necessarily, as you can apply for a mortgage, credit card, etc... online or over the phone.
There should be some form of permission, though.
However, collection agencies DO typically have the right to pull credit reports (soft pulls, don't hurt your score), to verify the debts, your address, phone, etc...
And in most cases, anyone you owe money to, you basically have granted them the right to use all legal avenues to collect your debt.
2007-01-30 18:40:02 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I believe that you have to sign a permission note to have your credit report ordered by someone else.
However, businesses that you have already signed for and that you have an ongoing credit relationship with can order a new one each year, and/or every time you ask for more credit with them. This allows them to see that you are keeping your credit history clean. If you don't, they will either raise your rate or cancel your credit.
2007-01-30 18:39:55 · answer #7 · answered by Vivian D 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
no. call the credit reporting agencies. it is automated. they will need to know your address, ss# and some other things. sounds like identity theft to me. call the credit reporting agencies and have fraud protection put on. it is free, and is good for 7 years. do it NOW! Trans Union would be a good start. I think you can place it on all 3 from there.
2007-01-30 18:41:39 · answer #8 · answered by St♥rmy Skye 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most of the time, yes -- you have to give written permission.
One of the exceptions is when someone is attempting to collect a debt, such as this case. A collection agency that's been given a debt to collect can run your credit, to make sure they have your current address & phone numbers, etc. Perfectly legal.
2007-01-30 18:38:41 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
IF YOU OWE SOMEONE A BILL THEN THEY DON`T NEED YOUR PERMISSION TO GET INTO YOUR CREDIT RECORD, MAYBE A DEBT COLLECTOR CALLED YOU THAT WAS HIRED FROM A BUSINESS. FOR EXAMPLE IF YOU OWE A VIDEO STORE MONEY AS FAR AS LATE RENTALS THEN THEY CAN HIT YOUR CREDIT. NO ONE NEEDS YOUR PERIMISSION THE ONLY COMPANIES THAT NEED IT IS LANDLORDS,IF YOU APPLY FOR CREDIT,A BANK AND SO ON. NOW IF YOU DIDN`T DO THIS DEBT THEN YOU TO GO TO THE CREDIT REPORTING AGENCYS AND DISPUTE IT. AND WOULD HELP TO CONTACT WHO EVER IS COLLECTING FOR THEM TO CONTACT THEM TO DISPUTE THAT YOU HAD NO KNOWLEGE OF THIS DEBT. GOOD LUCK
2007-01-30 18:44:30 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋