topic Re: Roadblock to Obtaining a Free Credit Report in General Credit Topics

Roadblock to Obtaining a Free Credit Report

Anonymous — Thu, 13 Aug 2020 20:13:13 GMT

I understand that, for the time being, we can obtain free credit reports on a monthly or weekly basis. Nevertheless, I have encountered a roadblock to receiving my free credit reports from Experian and Equifax.

Both CRAs claim, without providing a reason, 'We are not able to deliver your free credit report online.' Instead, I have to apply by USPS mail, which means filling out their forms and including proof of identity each time I request my credit report.

What could be the reason for this, or is it a strategy by these two CRAs to discourage us from obtaining our free credit reports? (Please note: I correctly answered all of their 'prove your identity' questions.)

Re: Roadblock to Obtaining a Free Credit Report

AllZero — Thu, 13 Aug 2020 20:28:31 GMT

You can also request by automated phone prompt. CRA then USPS mail you the report.

Re: Roadblock to Obtaining a Free Credit Report

ccquest — Thu, 13 Aug 2020 20:29:00 GMT

Do you have an ad-blocker enabled by any chance? I found that was my issue with Experian.

Not sure exactly what the issue is for TransUnion, but maybe put the dashes for your phone number. I think that was the only other difference between it not working at home and working at my office.

Equifax has been fine for me.

Re: Roadblock to Obtaining a Free Credit Report

Anonymous — Thu, 13 Aug 2020 21:32:48 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I understand that, for the time being, we can obtain free credit reports on a monthly or weekly basis. Nevertheless, I have encountered a roadblock to receiving my free credit reports from Experian and Equifax.

Both CRAs claim, without providing a reason, 'We are not able to deliver your free credit report online.' Instead, I have to apply by USPS mail, which means filling out their forms and including proof of identity each time I request my credit report.

What could be the reason for this, or is it a strategy by these two CRAs to discourage us from obtaining our free credit reports? (Please note: I correctly answered all of their 'prove your identity' questions.)

Interestingly enough I'm going through a similar situation. I've pulled my CR through annualcreditreports.com every week for the last couple weeks. When I went in today to do the same. I got the error you mentioned for TransUnion and Experian. Only Equifax would pull.

I'm going to call both CRAs today to see what's going on with them.

Will post back if I get any feedback.

Re: Roadblock to Obtaining a Free Credit Report

Anonymous — Thu, 13 Aug 2020 22:56:54 GMT

There's no one I can call at Experian. Currently, their phone menu only has two choices: 1) questions about your membership; and 2) if you want to advise them of fraud or freeze your credit report. Haven't called Equifax yet.

Re: Roadblock to Obtaining a Free Credit Report

dtbecker — Fri, 14 Aug 2020 01:12:21 GMT

I had this happen with Equifax, so I had to actually pay for that report. Which I didn't mind doing since the FreeCreditReports don't actually show your score.

That being said, you may have answered a question incorrectly about your banking history. I've even thought I answered all questions correctly too. Or your credit file is too thin. I have never been able to view my free Equifax credit report. I also think its not a good idea sending that much personal information through the mail every week.

I do have an ad-blocker running so I might disable that.

Update: Tried disabling ad-blocker and that did not fix it.

Re: Roadblock to Obtaining a Free Credit Report

dtbecker — Fri, 14 Aug 2020 01:14:04 GMT

@AllZero wrote:
You can also request by automated phone prompt. CRA then USPS mail you the report.

Wouldn't you also have to send all the documents? Like social security number, drivers license, etc?

Re: Roadblock to Obtaining a Free Credit Report

M_Smart007 — Fri, 14 Aug 2020 02:21:19 GMT

@dtbecker wrote:
I had this happen with Equifax, so I had to actually pay for that report. Which I didn't mind doing since the FreeCreditReports don't actually show your score.

That being said, you may have answered a question incorrectly about your banking history. I've even thought I answered all questions correctly too. Or your credit file is too thin. I have never been able to view my free Equifax credit report. I also think its not a good idea sending that much personal information through the mail every week.

I do have an ad-blocker running so I might disable that.

Update: Tried disabling ad-blocker and that did not fix it.

This is probably not the problem, but I have to ask .. Are you running a VPN?

I can pull my EX and TU with VPN on, but EQ I have to have it turned off.

Re: Roadblock to Obtaining a Free Credit Report

dtbecker — Fri, 14 Aug 2020 02:25:06 GMT

@M_Smart007 wrote:
@dtbecker wrote:
I had this happen with Equifax, so I had to actually pay for that report. Which I didn't mind doing since the FreeCreditReports don't actually show your score.

That being said, you may have answered a question incorrectly about your banking history. I've even thought I answered all questions correctly too. Or your credit file is too thin. I have never been able to view my free Equifax credit report. I also think its not a good idea sending that much personal information through the mail every week.

I do have an ad-blocker running so I might disable that.

Update: Tried disabling ad-blocker and that did not fix it.
This is probably not the problem, but I have to ask .. Are you running a VPN?
I can pull my EX and TU with VPN on, but EQ I have to have it turned off.

I am not running a VPN. I also tried on different devices and same result. I even typed the address the exact same way as it shows on my Equifax report.

On a side note, is there any difference between the paid Equifax report (from Equifax) and the free one?

Re: Roadblock to Obtaining a Free Credit Report

AllZero — Fri, 14 Aug 2020 02:26:35 GMT

@dtbecker wrote:
@AllZero wrote:
You can also request by automated phone prompt. CRA then USPS mail you the report.
Wouldn't you also have to send all the documents? Like social security number, drivers license, etc?

IIRC, when you get to that error page on ACR, there will be a telephone number listed. Been a while, I think it just ask for name and SSN. No documents required.

Re: Roadblock to Obtaining a Free Credit Report

AzCreditGuy — Fri, 14 Aug 2020 16:47:31 GMT

I am having the issue with EQ and TU...Ex has been great. I use to have access these reports a while back. But since sending legal letter credit disputes to EQ and TU....My access has been roadblocked as well. I know TU has placed my account in special account status since the regular reps have to transfer me over to them to even speak about my credit report, unsure why I cant access from EQ as I havent had issues with them in a long time. I opened a complaint with the CFPB on this matter and TU, didnt do anthing to give me an anwser why I couldnt get access to my credit report, they were usless on the matter. I am not a fan of TU...period.