Profile:
April is Financial Literacy Month
Dear Readers,
April is Financial Literacy Month. Experian believes that knowledge is the key to unlocking financial success and is proud to be an active supporter of many financial literacy programs across the country.
Credit information from 1993 no longer in Experian’s credit files
Dear Experian,
Can I go back to 1992 or 1993 to get some information that was in my credit reports at that time?
- GTH
Not paying utility bills and insurance could hurt credit scores
Dear Experian,
Does paying a utility bill or car or home insurance late affect your credit scores?
- FXR
Date opened nor date closed affect when account is deleted
Dear Experian,
My credit report shows delinquencies on very old accounts from when I was laid off and unemployed for 18 months. All repayments were arranged between myself and the lender and repaid as agreed. How long before these come off my credit report? Is it from the date closed or opened?
- WTR
Paying off credit cards likely will save money in the long term
Dear Experian,
I came into a lump sum of money and want to pay off my credit cards. I was thinking about negotiating down the two higher balances until I heard that it can actually hurt your credit score. Is that correct? Should I just pay the full amount rather than negotiating a lower amount to pay?
- CKL
Turned down after being preapproved
Dear Experian,
Why am I being told that I have been approved or have been sent preapproval letters and than am shot down?
- GTH
How long before paid credit cards are updated
Dear Experian,
I just paid off a lot of my credit card debt. When will I see it take effect on my credit report?
- DUK
Adding a statement to your credit report
Dear Experian,
Is there a maximum limit of characters for a consumer to add a personal consumer statement to their credit report?
- FIS
Business credit card not appearing on personal credit report
Dear Experian,
I have a business credit card that I am the only one who uses and pays. Does this business card help my personal credit score if I keep it in good standing? Right now it does not show up on my personal credit report. How can I make it happen?
- BYN
Building credit after paying off old debts
Dear Experian,
I have just paid off all of my bad debt, but I only have one good standing loan, and that was back in 2005. What would be the best way to improve my credit? I heard getting a pre-paid visa would work, is that true?
- DRM
Parent using child’s Social Security number
Dear Experian,
I believe my daughter’s father is using her Social Security number for electricity, gas, water, phone and credit cards. How do I find out?
- CKY
Deciding whether to cancel credit cards you don’t use
Dear Experian,
How do you get rid of too many credit cards even if you haven’t used them for years? Also, some credit card companies are charging fees. How do we cancel those cards without hurting credit scores?
- DRS
Removing “account in dispute” notation from report
Dear Experian,
How can I get the wording “account in dispute” removed from my credit report?
- ADH
Debts older than seven years should not return to your credit report
Dear Experian,
Can a creditor remove a debt after seven years and then sell the debt and place it back on your credit report?
- KSE
Account not reported by lender
Dear Experian,
How do I add an account that is on my other reports but not on Experian?
- EAL
Credit score factor “proportion of balances too high,” with virtually no balances
Dear Experian,
How did I get the comment “proportion of loan balances to loan amounts is too high” when all I have is a car loan with nine payments left on a 60-month loan and only owe about 15 percent of the loan amount?
- SKN
Taking your wife’s name after marriage
Dear Experian,
I just recently married, and I am taking my wife’s last name. Is there a form I need to keep my current credit?
- NDY
Qualifying for a home after bankruptcy
Dear Experian,
When lenders see bankruptcy on your credit report does it turn them away from lending to you? What is the best way for me to rebuild my credit? I have started by getting two credit cards and have never been late with a payment, but what else can I do? I would like to purchase a house soon, but I’m afraid to try.
- SPE
Using one credit card for all purchases can be a smart financial strategy
Dear Experian,
I have a rewards card that I use to earn miles. I have developed a habit of using it for every purchase and then paying it off online right away (not even waiting for my billing statement). That way, I’m not stuck with a huge credit card bill each month. Would this practice affect my credit score?
- ADS
Inquiries from existing creditors and for preapproved offers
Dear Experian,
There is a string of inquiries made by credit card companies on my report. I did not authorize these. How can I get the credit card companies to cease and desist? How do we remove these from our report?
- OYC
Teenage college student should accept credit monitoring offer
Dear Experian,
My 17-year-old daughter just received an email from the university she is attending about a possible security breach on their admission registration files. The university is offering a one year free TripleAlert membership to her. My question is does she need it? I don’t believe she has done anything to establish a credit record. She has a debit card but no credit cards. Other than opening and using a credit card, what else might trigger the creation of a credit record in any of the three credit companies?
- MCS
How long before information is completely removed from your credit report
Dear Experian,
How long does it take to have something completely taken off your credit report and boost your credit once paid off?
- ADA
Disputing information you believe is inaccurate is a free service
New married name will be added automatically to your credit report
Dear Experian,
I married recently, but my credit report is still in my former name. How do I have this information changed and my new name put on my report?
- YDS
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.