Profile:
Replacing a lost security freeze PIN number
Dear Experian,
I placed a security freeze on my account and have misplaced the PIN needed to temporarily remove the freeze. How do I get a replacement PIN?
- MCH
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You may still be liable for balance owed on deleted account
Dear Experian,
Am I still liable for an account that I disputed and that was deleted from my credit report?
- MGB
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Debit bureau reports not a part of your Experian credit report
Dear Experian,
How long does ChexSystems information remain on file? Why does it prevent one from opening a CD, savings account or mutual fund?
- SHF
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Not enough activity to generate credit score
Dear Experian,
Recently we were told my husband’s credit report with Experian was not reporting and that his credit score is not available. We received a message that says “Factor 9002, Risk Score not available due to model exclusion criteria.” What do we need to do to correct this?
- RCH
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Foreclosure proceedings started
Dear Experian,
I have a “Foreclosure was started” comment on my Experian report. We have made our payments on time for the last 30 months. What should the comment be changed to in order to show that we are no longer in foreclosure and that we are now current? I have seen “Paid Foreclosure.” Would that be accurate?
- RJP
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Authorized user accounts could factor in to credit scores
Dear Experian,
Do items on my credit report in which I am listed as an “authorized user” contribute to my score?
- DRH
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Multiple mortgage inquiries treated differently by most scoring models
Dear Experian,
Is it true that if more than one mortgage lender requests my credit report within 30 days, it will show up as only one hard inquiry on my credit report?
- BSL
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Key to improving scores is making payments on time, not hiring credit repair
Dear Experian,
I paid a credit repair specialist $1,800, and seven months later my score has only improved a little. I need help to improve my score. Can you guide me?
- DSG
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College student declined for first credit card
Dear Experian,
My daughter is trying to get her first credit card as a college student. They have denied her based on a credit report from you. How can a student that has never had any credit of any kind have a negative credit report?
- RYT
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Being unemployed will not hurt scores if bills continue to be paid on time
Dear Experian,
Will a period of unemployment hurt my credit scores?
- JNO
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Utility company may decline aplication to transfer account wife from husband
Dear Experian,
Why was I turned down when I asked to remove my husband’s name from our electric bill and place it in my name instead? The electric company told me to contact Experian to see why there was a “hold.”
- SRH
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Resolving disputes with credit bureaus when you disagree with results
Dear Experian,
I disputed items on my credit report and they were deleted by the other credit reporting companies, but not Experian. The results say it was considered verified. How is it possible that there are different results? I know that these are errors. What steps should be taken?
- MSA
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College savings account won’t appear on credit report or risk child’s identity
Dear Experian,
If a family member were to open college savings accounts in my children’s names, would that appear on a credit report? I’ve had to deal with identity errors with my husband, and I’m concerned that my sister would do this using her address and mess up my kid’s identities.
- CLE
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Updating the mailing address on your credit report
Dear Experian,
I don’t have any open credit accounts, so how do I inform Experian of my new home address?
- VLK
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Lender may choose not to report a credit account
Dear Experian,
I just reviewed my credit report and found that a significant credit purchase was not listed. All my payments were made on time. Can this be reflected in my credit report?
- BLR
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Ordering your own credit report won’t hurt your credit scores
Dear Experian,
Is there any way I can check my credit score without it hurting my score? How much does it hurt me to order my credit score?
- KWS
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Using employer tax ID number won’t fix bad credit
Dear Experian,
Can I use my employer tax ID number to repair my damaged credit?
- KMR
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Evictions are not shown in a credit report
Dear Experian,
I have an eviction on my credit report which is inaccurate. I have proof that it was paid. Every time I apply for an apartment I am denied because of this eviction on my record. I have ordered my credit reports and it does not appear on any of them, yet it’s on every tenant screening report. I would like to know how to have it removed.
- VLK
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Credit card paid in full but does not show zero balance
Dear Experian,
I pay my credit cards off in full before the payment is due, yet my report shows a 60 percent utilization ratio. Why is this happening and how can I prevent this besides getting more available credit or not using my cards?
- RBR
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Alarm company can turn past due account over to collections
Dear Experian,
I have a dispute with a security alarm company. They have implied a contract extension on a policy that I did not approve. I have not made a payment on the policy since November 2012 and am concerned that they may eventually turn the balance over to collections, thus negatively affecting my credit, though they have not threatened such action yet.
Is there an arrangement I can make with the credit reporting companies that can prevent harm to my credit in the event that issues with this company escalate? That is, can I prevent them from damaging my credit history by reporting this unpaid balance? Or is my only option to pay them?
- JSS
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Name change after marriage won’t hurt credit scores
Dear Experian,
I am married for a second time. Can having my maiden name and two married names negatively affect my credit score? My “middle” score is 780 but I am trying to improve to 800 plus.
- TEV
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Getting removed as joint credit card account holder
Dear Experian,
I am a cosigner and the secondary user on a credit card. I am not the primary user. I want my name removed from the account. I called the credit card company, and they will not remove me. Is there a way to remove my name? The primary user tried also, and they still won’t do it.
- WKN
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Intentional late payments for debt settlement will damage credit scores
Dear Experian,
I am considering signing up with a debt settlement company. They told me that in order for them to negotiate the best deal with my creditors I must refrain from paying my bills for more than 90 days. Won’t this negatively affect my scores?
- TND
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Joint accounts with husband can help wife qualify for credit
Dear Experian,
I have been married for many years and have always had credit with my husband. If I ever need to apply for credit on my own, will I be able to get approved based on the good credit I have had with him?
- EDD
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Collection account and charged off account for same debt in credit report
Dear Experian,
If an account is “charged off” and sold to collection agency, how can both accounts be used against you? My credit report shows two negative accounts. I owed $1,900, but now one account shows the original amount owed and a separate account shows $2,300 owed to a collection agency. Will both accounts stay on my report for seven years? The original account was four years ago, but the collection is only three months old.
- VNW
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About Ask Experian
Welcome to Ask Experian, hosted by Maxine Sweet, Experian's Vice President of Public Education. The blog responses draw on the knowledge of Experian's experts in credit reporting, credit scoring, direct marketing, automotive history, identity theft and other areas from across the company to answer readers' questions about these and other important topics.