how do i stop agencies from looking up my credit report without my authorization?

Answer 1

all you have to do is contact the agencies and do what they call "opt out".

They aren't looking into your credit they are screening for certain criteria. Like they may pull data for people that have a score of 665 with at least 4 current accounts. So when you respond that is when they pull your report to see if you actually qualify. If you meet their initial criteria with 4 current accounts but you have something else 30 days past due, you no longer qualify. So basically, it is a screening and that is why most say pre-selected. You are normally not pre approved unless your credit score is high enough to carry the whole screening process. (like they don't care if anything is past due with a credit score of 700)

Answer 2

You can put a "freeze" on your credit report. Most states allow this to protect consumers. Once a freeze is on, only your current account can do a soft search to verify address and employment.
Nobody else can see your report. You will have to authorize someone to get your report if you are attempting a large purchase (auto, home etc)
Here is the Florida statute regarding freezes.
501.005 Consumer report security freeze.--

(1) For purposes of this section, a "security freeze" means a notice placed in a consumer report that prohibits a consumer reporting agency, as defined in 15 U.S.C. s. 1681a(f), from releasing the consumer report, credit score, or any information contained within the consumer report to a third party without the express authorization of the consumer. This section does not prevent a consumer reporting agency from advising a third party that a security freeze is in effect with respect to the consumer report. For purposes of this part, the term "consumer report" has the same meaning set forth in 15 U.S.C. s. 1681a(d).

This includes the FTC statues.

Answer 3

Opting out at http://www.optoutprescreen.com is how you keep credit card companies from looking at your credit report. It will stop all those credit card offers you get in the mail. I did it years ago - it's great. I used to get 3 pre-approved offers from the same company in the same week.

Any company you have credit with will still be able to look at your credit report. The opt-out only stops companies you're not affiliated with.

Read those little privacy policies your credit card companies send you. See if you can opt-out of any offers from them or companies they partner with - usually you can. There will be a number you can call. They are allowed to do a routine check on your report to be sure you continue to be a good risk for them.

A credit freeze puts a total lock on your credit. Even you won't be able to get any new credit without going through the process of unlocking it. It's purpose is to prevent identity theft. On Nov. 1, all states will allow anyone to put a credit freeze on their info. The link below explains how to do it.

Answer 4

Anyone to whom you apply for credit has the right to check your credit report.

To stop the other businesses from doing "pre-authorization" checks when you have NOT applied for credit from such places, call 888-5-OptOut. You will have to enter some personal information to identify yourself, but as a result, you will lock up your credit report.

Answer 5

Soft inquiries (the ones that you do not initiate) does not hurt your credit score.
You can stop hard inquires by not giving out your personal information. Once a company has your SS#, date of birth, etc., they can access your credit reports for "legitimate business reasons".
A "legitimate business reason" could be as vague as you merely parking your car in the parking lot of a car dealership.

Hope this helps

Answer 6

send a letter to all three BIGGIES - stating that no one sees your credit report without your signature

they will code your account - and no one can go fishing

YOU JUST QUALIFIED - no kidding !

mine is 805 and they love me - until I wrote the letter
and mine are reduced 98% - now the only ones I get are thru my bank accounts - and I can;t shut them down - and miss out on some bargains they do have

this will also benefit your credit score (to send the letter)
as you lose a few points everytime somebody puts a 'hit'
on your account - makes it seem that you are desparate for credit

all the best

Answer 7

go to www.optoutprescreen.com you can do it there. It also gives your score a small raise too.