Accessing your Credit Reports
Everyday people such as lenders, landlords and credit card companies are all allowed to view your personal credit report. Each one must show a “permissible reason” to view your report. As a way to send you offers for credit cards in the mail that are said to be pre-approved, companies can also get your name and address from credit bureaus.
There are guide lines they use to screen consumers in order to compile a list of possible customers. If you choose not to have your name sold to these companies, you can “opt out” by either writing to the major credit bureaus or by calling then with the number than can be found online This will certainly take your name of the list for two years from mailing and telemarketing lists that come from TransUnion, Equifax, Experian, and INNOVIS.
You can always get a copy of your report annually so you can correct any mistakes. According to a 1998 study, “Mistakes Do Happen,” conducted by the Public Interest Research Group, 29 percent of consumer credit reports had errors hurtful enough to cause that person to be turned down for credit or even for insurance.
