Credit Report

[mrmass]

What is the name of your state? MA
Just out of curiosity I have been checking my credit report using freeanualcreditreport.com. Now I have some questions about what I found:

A) It seems like companies such as Capital ONE, Bankone, CITI and CHASE are aggressively checking my report very frequently (No, I don't have anything with them and never had). Is that where they get my address from to junk me with their rotten pre-approved letters ? Can I stop it ? Are they LEGALLY allowed to just get my information for solicitation ?

B) experian lists several variations of my name as well as SSN variations, which I have never used in my life. Especially SSN variations is a bunch of random numbers. Is that an indication of a potential problem/attempted ID theft ?

C) I apparently have an Amex card that I don't know off. It is in good standing according to all three reports (never late, infact the balance was apparently always $0), but I really never ever had an Amex card or tried to get one. What can I do about this ? Should I take legal action of any kind against Amex to take this off my report ?

D) My electricity company has been checking my credit report twice recently, why on earth would they do that ? Are they allowed to do that ?

[Debt Guy]

Q. It seems like companies such as Capital ONE, Bankone, CITI and CHASE are aggressively checking my report very frequently (No, I don't have anything with them and never had). Is that where they get my address from to junk me with their rotten pre-approved letters ?

A. Yes.

Q. Can I stop it ?

A. Yes. Contact each CRA (credit reporting agency) and "opt-out".

Q. Are they LEGALLY allowed to just get my information for solicitation ?

A. Yes. Remember, the CRAs are paid by the creditors. They exist to serve the interests of the creditors. They are not there to benefit you.

Q. experian lists several variations of my name as well as SSN variations, which I have never used in my life. Especially SSN variations is a bunch of random numbers. Is that an indication of a potential problem/attempted ID theft ?

A. Don't know. Write a letter to Experian and dispute the data that is in error.

Q. I apparently have an Amex card that I don't know off. It is in good standing according to all three reports (never late, infact the balance was apparently always $0), but I really never ever had an Amex card or tried to get one. What can I do about this ?

A. Write a letter to the CRAs and to AMEX and dispute the data that is in error.

Q. Should I take legal action of any kind against Amex to take this off my report ?

A. Not unless you enjoy spending lots of bucks on lawyers. You have suffered no damage from this.

Q. My electricity company has been checking my credit report twice recently, why on earth would they do that ?

A. To make sure you are still creditworthy. They extend you credit when they sell you electricity and let you pay for it later.

Q. Are they allowed to do that ?

A. Yes. You can make them stop if you will pre-pay for your electricity.

[mrmass]

for your responses. Will get right on my paperwork