Newbie credit report concerns, please advise : (

[Anonymous]

Hi all,

I have never checked my credit score and would like to do so at this time.  However, I'm concerned that the credit report agency will pass along my information (address, etc) to creditors.  I have an old unpaid account which I shoved under the carpet in a kind of youthful stupidity, thinking "out of sight, out of mind".  That was circa 4-5 years ago since the last activity on that account; I can't even remember who I owed (very irresponsible, I know).  At this time I had another account with a smaller balance that I paid off in full and closed.   In my favor (if it counts on credit scores, I have no idea) I have had a cellular phone account for the past 4 years that I have dutifully paid every month on time.  I am also an authorized user on a credit card for the past 3 years (with someone who has good credit).  However, I'm really worried that my credit is in the toilet because of that unpaid account, but, I also don't want to be hounded by collections agency if my information is shared when I ask for my credit report.  Is this a ridiculous, paranoid thought?  I was planning on having www.annualcreditreport.com send my credit report to me. 

Thank you in advance, any advice/info would really ease my mind. 

[Anonymous]

If you give the credit reporting agencies a new address (or any of your creditors do), yes, there are trigger services that go out to certain kinds of companies, including collection agencies. They have to subscribe to those services, though, and they're not free, so if the amount in question is small, it's less likely.

That said, I tend to recommend facing the dragon rather than letting it slumber, but you do as you feel is appropriate.

[MM1234]

I would use this MyFICO website and get all 3 reports. Its not much $$ to find out your current score and then stay on top of it and check it 2x a year.

The Annual Credit place only gives you a report. Not your score. You should really know your real FICO score.

Stay away from places that offer all 3 Reports and your Score unless you know they give you your FICO score. Others offer a VANTAGE score ( I think its 350-900 ?? ) and its kinda useless. I think the only place to offer your real FICO score is right here at MyFico.com.

[Anonymous]

annualcreditreport.com does not sell your information.  This is a free service to allow consumers to get their free credit report once a year as requied by law.  The informaion they take is soley to verify identity before allowing you to accessyour credit file.  It keeps unauthorized people from pulling your reports.  It will ask several questions based on info in your file and direct you to the real bureau sites themselves.  I pull one of the two free reports I get a year using this service and it doesn't get any cheaper than that.