Credit Score

[aking]

Does anyone know where you can get a free credit report and FICO score?

[Lyda]

Just Google it, you are entitled to complete free credit report from all 3 once a year. Google it and chose those that will not ask to sign up for anything else.

[GreenBean]

^^^Correctamundo. Google is a great friend there. USA,UK & Australia all offer the chance to get a free credit check. In this thread there is a bit more detail of what you can expect to see:
http://www.aspkin.com/forums/money-t...html#post52097
Good Luck

Dunno how relevent this is, but an unspecified relative of mine did that a few years back. By doing so, apparently she triggered something that caused an old debt to be renewed for collection. A substantial debt that was almost too old to be actionable. I have no idea how that would have happened, or if it was just coincidence. Wasn't my debt or report, so I only know as much as I had to tolerate hearing (yeah, you know). Worth mentioning, if it is something that might be concerning. Maybe somebody else can illuminate?

[Lyda]

There is the Statue of Limitations on most of the debts. Not sure exactly how many years, but a debt will stay on for at least seven years...after that it has to drop off.

[GreenBean]

Basically if a debt have not been subject to a court hearing, ie had a judgement made, then that is the case. Bit more to it than that. If the debtee has never been served with papers to acknowledge the debt, then
it can disappear. OK, a mark on the credit file but...

Hmmm... Well, now I'm actually wondering if getting that free annual report we are all entitled to *could* cause an old dormant and almost expired debt to be resurrected.

Reading what Lyda and GreenBean posted, it brings a candle into the room. But now I wonder, if there's anything to what my unspecified relative told me, would a self inflicted credit report poke the sleeping dragon? I mean, her report was run how many times for things like store cards, her mini-van, an application to refinance some property, and so on. That never seemed to wake up the old debt.

Coincidence, or not? <scratches head>

[Lyda]

Once debt is off because of the Statue of Limitations, it is very unlikely that simply by getting your credit report it would mysteriously appear back again. Even those with Judgments like GreenBean mentioned above go away after certain time. Now, if unpaid debt or collection is less than 7 year old, it may be that it was sold over several times to different Collecton Agencies, and in this case the countdown may start all over again....

Imo, this would be another good reason for checking what's on your report once a year.

[GreenBean]

WikiAnswers - How long does information stay on your credit report


This is written in simple words and fyi only. Gives some background.

Good stuff. Thanks to both of you. It tells me I'm all good to get my credit reports each year, like I've been doing. I have an old debt relating to something personal, myself. Ever since my relative told me her thing, I've wondered if I should stop getting mine, too.

[Lyda]

Thanks GreenBean! I wasn't sure if Collection agency started the clock all over again, but now I know its against the low.

[Lyda]

Vic, yes - lots of people don't think about this until they need mortgage for the house or something else important financed. I think it is good thing to check your credit report once a year (and I am also guilty of not doing it every year), not only because of this, but because there is so much identity theft these days too.

Ugh. Identity theft. Been there, done that. 3 times, now. Those stories wouldn't belong in this thread.

I always thought the annual self-review was a good thing. I never gave it a second thought until my relative hit a jam. Even after that, I always kept doing it (nervously though). I'm happy to hear that my paranoia has been misplaced.

[GreenBean]

Without going OT, anything wrong on a report can be disputed. Anyone has the right to do that and should.

[aking]

yea google is good but you get a million sites that claim to be free but its only a free 30 day trial that ask for credit card info and will charge u monthly if you dont cancel. no big deal b.c i can just use a gift card with $2 on it. But I found what i was looking for. Thanks guys.