How do I get a copy of my credit report

[michl43]

What is the name of your state? CA
I'm not sure which forum to post this on, but how do I get a 1st free copy of my credit report without giving out a credit card #? I've never done this before, and should have excellent credit, but want to make sure. I tried one website, but would have had to put my cc# for a 30 day "Free" trial. Could anyone give me the links to legitimate websites to get my credit report? Thanks. Michelle

[Debt Guy]

Order directly from one of the 3 Credit Reporting Agencies. Try [url]www.experian.com[/url]. You can also try Transunion or Equifax. All will try to sell you extra services but you are not obligated to buy anything.

However, you will still need a credit card. They use the credit card as a way to identify you. You should not be charged for the report.

Since you live in California, you can get your free report now. The rest of the country has to wait until later in the year.

[michl43]

Thanks, I did get my Experian report. For my Macy's credit card, which I've only used once, it says "Payment status: Current, was past due 30 days". I used the Macy's card only once to buy something (about 25.00) and never received an invoice from them. Finally they called me, and they had an incorrect address for me, so I gave them my correct address and still never received a statement. They called me again and I just paid over the phone. This is not fair they insult me on my credit report, because they could not get my address correct. (I had not moved) This was maybe 5 years ago, I'm not sure. Is there anything I can do about this? Thanks, Michelle

[michl43]

They were very nice & will contact all 3 credit agencies to clear that comment, since they had my address incorrect... and will send me a letter saying it was cleared.

[Debt Guy]

Michelle,

Strictly speaking, what they have reported is accurate and is factual. By your own words, they payment was late.

Now, it certainly is not fair since they had the address wrong. These reports are all done by computer and the computer never realized the address was wrong -- it only knew the payment was posted x days late and thus reported it that way.

I think the best course of action would be a polite and nicely written letter to the President of Macy's, explain what happened, and ask that they please change the credit report to show paid as agreed. This is called a "goodwill" letter. You might be able to find a sample at
[url]http://debt-consolidation-credit-repair-service.com/[/url]
poke around until you find sample letters. Don't send the letter to anyone other than the President. Poke around their website or at [url]www.hoovers.com[/url] and see if you can find his/her name in order to personalize the letter. Tell him/her how much you enjoy having your Macy's card and how much you will enjoy using it in the future -- except you are just having this tiny little problem that was the result of a mistaken keyboard entry by a Macy's employee. Be nice -- this is one of those times to attract flies with honey.

If that fails, you can dispute the accuracy of the credit report. Sometimes a dispute works and sometimes it does not.

Hope this helps.