Help needed - Obtaining Credit Reports/Scores

[Anonymous]

I'm at a loss. I'm an American citizen with permanent residence in Canada. I know my credit has gone way down hill but I have no way of obtaining my credit information. I've tried to call the credit agencies but they don't accept calls out of country. I tried to buy my reports but my all my financial info, the credit card I would use to buy the products and info, is here in Canada and there is no option for a Canadian address. My billing address is in Canada. I have no idea how to find out about my own credit. I would like to clean up my credit so that my husband and I can move back to the states and start on solid ground but I have no clue where to get started. Does anyone know how a U.S. citizen can get their reports/score while living in Canada? Message Edited by Zaffodil on 01-18-2008 04:26 PM

Message Edited by Zaffodil on 01-18-2008 06:18 PM

[Anonymous]

BUMP

[Anonymous]

I am not aware of any legal meathod to accomplish this.

You must have a US address being reported by one of your creditors.

[llecs]

For Christmas I received 2 VISA gift cards. I had used one of them to purchase my reports on this site. Neither of the cards had an address or even a name associated with me. I thought I would have a problem purchasing my reports but didn't.

In other words, maybe it would be worth a shot to buy a VISA gift card and use that. Or buy a cell phone state-side and activate it here and use that to talk to the CRAs. Or maybe there's a fraud alert of some sort blocking access to your reports.

[Anonymous]

I really don't know anything about it but am wondering if you've tried writing to the CAs rather than calling and explaining the problem.

OR--do you have a trusted friend/relative in the U.S. who could receive mail for you and then send it to you in Canada? That person could order the reports through annualcreditreport.com for free --but of course you would have to give them your SS#. Do you happen to know your last address that would be reported? It would mean a bit of truth-stretching as your contact would have to pose as you and say you've moved. I am guessing whatever address they give will then enter your report as your "current" address. So I'd try to work with someone like your parents, with a stable address that would in reality be associated with you, at least temporarily.

These ideas are just off the top of my head and would have to be well thought out and refined. I am also NOT suggesting you do anything illegal!!

[llecs]

I'm rethinking...I had dinner this evening with my brother-in-law. He's here on leave from Iraq. He mentioned that while in Iraq he cannot view episodes via the internet like we can here. He said that the major networks block access to on-line episodes. As it pertains to this, maybe MyFICO and the major CRAs block access based on the routing of your IP address.

[mazinaige]

Hi Zaffodil, I am from Michigan but have been living in Canada for 8 years while completing a doctoral degree. I too had difficulty accessing my US credit report and FICO score because I am in Canada. myFICO account is set up with my parents mailing address and I used my dad's credit card to purchase SuzeOrman's kit. That is how I was able to access my credit report and FICO score.

I was not able to request a free credit report by calling from Canada or paying with my Canadian TD Visa. When I sent a free credit report request in by mail, TransUnion sent the report to my last known US address. Luckily my ex forwarded it on to me! Equifax and Experian did not reply to my written request at all.

Unfortunately I cancelled all of my US credit cards 7.5 years ago so now I am trying to re-establish my US credit. A few days ago I tried to open an US checking account from Wells Fargo online, however my application was denied and I was told to go into the local branch in Michigan. I am also searching for a US student credit card with no minimum income requirement that will recognize a university outside of the US. I plan to try Citi Platinum Select MasterCard for College Students, once I have updated by mailing addresses on my credit reports.

I know this was long winded but I hope it helps US citizens in Canada. Suggestions are welcome.

Message Edited by mazinaige on 10-22-2008 11:18 PM