General Credit Topics

[Noah_Bodie]

OK, you're heard of Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Some of you are unfortunately enough that you have to deal with CSC. But that's it, right? Wrong!

Wait, you mean there's even more CRAs out there? Yep, and here's an incomplete list.

Some of these outfits recognize they are a CRA and thus subject to FCRA and FACTA. As such, you can get a free copy of your report or file from them without a fight. I have tried and succeeded with Innovis, Teletrack, Telecheck, and Consumer Debit Resource (formerly Chexsystems).

Innovis
http://www.innovis.com

Teletrack
http://www.teletrack.com

Telecheck
http://www.telecheck.com

Consumer Debit Resource (formerly Chexsystems)
http://www.chexhelp.com
https://www.consumerdebit.com/consumerinfo/us/en/index.htm

They actually maintains two separate reports. A Chex Systems, Inc. report and a DPPS/SCAN report. Oddly enough, both reports can be obtained from the same address.

Chex Systems, Inc.
Attn: Consumer Relations
7805 Hudson Road, Suite 100
Woodbury, MN 55125

DPPS / SCAN
Attn: Consumer Referral Services
7805 Hudson Road, Suite 100
Woodbury, MN 55125

Banko (which owns LexisNexis)
http://www.banko.com
http://www.banko.com/default.cfm
http://www.banko.com/about.cfm

They now reluctantly acknowledge they are a CRA, but were apparently quite snippy and refused to acknowledge this fact for some time.
http://www.banko.com/consumers.cfm

ChoiceTrust aka Choicepoint aka CLUE
http://www.choicetrust.com

They don't acknowledge they are a CRA, that I could find on their website, but I'm told they are very responsive to FACTA requests.

Thomson
http://www.thomson.com/

Similar to NexisLexis.

http://www.courthousedirect.com/

http://www.fidelityinfoservices.com/FNFIS/Regulations.htm

First Advantage
http://www.residentscreening.com

They acknowledge they are a CRA.
http://www.residentscreening.com/consumer_relations/index.php

http://www.ntnonline.com/
NTN doesn't come out and say they are a CRA, but they talk about compliance with FCRA.
http://www.ntnonline.com/news-and-info/view-articles.cfm?id=3

National Consumer Telecom & Utilities Exchange
http://www.nctue.com/

MIB
http://www.mib.com/html/request_your_record.html

[Boswd]

Oh yeah these are great.   Especially if you are looking for a Mortgage, it seems mortgage lenders are like the CIA and can find out everything about your past.  

[princessofpink]

Great thanks Noah.  Just as I was feeling like I was gaining control over the situation you add some more to the mix.   Wooohoooo.... that's like 10 more that I have to worry about.

[Revike]

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Noah_Bodie wrote:

MIB
http://www.mib.com/html/request_your_record.html

---

Specializing in credit reports for illegal aliens, no doubt.

If I call them should I ask for K or J ?

[Noah_Bodie]

Revike wrote:

Specializing in credit reports for illegal aliens, no doubt.

If I call them should I ask for K or J ?

Medical Information Bureau, but they and some of the lesser knowns behave like they are keeping the world safe from the alien horde.

If you do ask for K or J, you won't ever remember it.

[Noah_Bodie]

One of the best resources I've found on the LKEs.
http://www.privacyrights.org/fs/fs6b-SpecReports.htm

9. When to Order a Specialty Report
http://www.privacyrights.org/fs/fs6b-SpecReports.htm#9

Found LOTS more likes to LOTS more LKEs over on CB.

[masdeocho]

Thanks for posting this list.

[Noah_Bodie]

The FACTA changes to FCRA say you are entitled to a free copy of your CR once every 12 months, and it stipulates that the LKEs must also comply.

http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scripts/ts_search.pl?title=15&sec=1681j
(a)(1)(A)All consumer reporting agencies described in subsections (p) and (w) of section 1681a of this title shall make all disclosures pursuant to section 1681g of this title once during any 12-month period upon request of the consumer and without charge to the consumer.

http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scripts/ts_search.pl?title=15&sec=1681a
(p) Consumer Reporting Agency That Compiles and Maintains Files on Consumers on a Nationwide Basis. - The term "consumer reporting agency that compiles and maintains files on consumers on a nationwide basis" means a consumer reporting agency that regularly engages in the practice of assembling or evaluating, and maintaining, for the purpose of furnishing consumer reports to third parties bearing on a consumer's credit worthiness,(!4) credit standing, or credit capacity, each of the following regarding consumers residing nationwide:
(1) Public record information.
(2) Credit account information from persons who furnish that information regularly and in the ordinary course of business.
...
(w) Nationwide Specialty Consumer Reporting Agency. - The term "nationwide specialty consumer reporting agency" means a consumer reporting agency that compiles and maintains files on consumers on a nationwide basis relating to -
(1) medical records or payments;
(2) residential or tenant history;
(3) check writing history;
(4) employment history; or
(5) insurance claims.

I sent an Email off to a couple of 'em. Think I'm gonna try and probe some of 'em. See what sort of responsiveness I get. Maybe I can hunt up a trophy suitable for deposit, not mounting.

[ilovepizza]

OMG! I'm not ready to tackle them yet. Three is a handfull for the moment

[smallfry]

Thanks for posting these here Noah. I love free reports. LOL.