Profile:
Inquiries for multiple car loan applications cannot be removed
Dear Experian,
While looking for a new car the auto dealer shopped the best rate for a loan, generating seven or eight hard credit inquiries, which have dropped my score. Can I have these hard inquiries removed?
- DRL
Debt can still be collected after it is removed from the credit report
Dear Experian,
Once an item is removed from the report after having been reported for 7-10 years, can the creditor still try to collect the debt? Can the account still collect interest?
- LGD
Reporting death of a relative
Dear Experian,
How do we notify you of the death of a relative, and how do we obtain a credit report for this relative so we can file probate papers?
- DHR
The impact of loan modification on credit scores
Dear Experian,
How will a loan modification affect my credit scores? I’ve never been late on my payments and have been approved for a modification without any late payments.
- HBO
Original account not updated when debt is paid through collection agency
Dear Experian,
When an account is paid off through a collection agency, why doesn’t it show paid in settlement on the account with the original creditor as well as the collection agency account?
- PGR
Credit scores hurt by lack of revolving accounts
Dear Experian,
My credit report says my score is reduced because I have no revolving credit accounts. Would it help my score to apply for and use a credit card?
- RYN
Requesting report for minor son to protect from fraud
Dear Experian,
How can I get a copy of my son’s credit report? I believe that his father may have tried to get credit in his name. We are divorced, and he lives in a different state. I just want to protect my child. I received a card for him at my home that we never applied for.
- RNS
Must have a personal report before disputing information
Dear Experian,
I just had a credit check done by my new landlord, and one company had negative feedback. I tried to dispute it online but it is not recognizing the report number. What can I do next?
- HBO
Requesting lower credit limits could hurt credit scores
Dear Experian,
If I lower my credit limits on my credit cards, does that lower my credit score? If so, why?
- PGR
The difference between chapter 7 and chapter 13 bankruptcy
Dear Experian,
What is the difference between chapter 7 and chapter 13 bankruptcies?
- RYN
Authorized user account impeding son’s home purchase
Dear Experian,
I have a question regarding authorized users. I put my son on my card when he and his sister were traveling in Europe. I forgot about it because they never misused them. Now my son, who has excellent credit, is planning to buy a house, but the lenders are objecting because he has “Authorized user of credit card” on his report. I feel so bad about this and wonder if there is a way to get this removed from his report quickly?
- ATH
Updating account to show included in bankruptcy
Dear Experian,
I have a company reporting “charge off” on my credit report when it should be a bankruptcy that was done in August 2010. Can you help me understand why it is being reported like this?
- EUB
What “derogatory” means
Dear Experian,
What does “derogatory” mean when it shows up on my credit reports?
- JUA
Credit card bills sent to son’s address after he moved out
Dear Experian,
My oldest son recently moved. I have just found out that your agency, without my knowledge, changed the address on my credit cards. My bills should still be coming to me, and his should go to him. I think it is absurd to change all the addresses when someone moves when there are different people and cards involved. I think this program should cease immediately. At the very least, people should be notified that this is happening so they can confirm which cards should have the address changed.
- RKO
Closed accounts remain part of credit history
Dear Experian,
I printed my and my husband’s credit reports. There are accounts that have been closed for years, but a note says they will remain on the report for years to come. Why do they remain if they have been inactive for years?
- JYS
Reaffirming debts will not cause bankruptcy public record to be deleted sooner
Dear Experian,
Can a Chapter 7 bankruptcy get deleted earlier than the 10 years if your lawyer had you agree to pay off some of the debt owed to the creditors and you also reaffirmed some of the secured debt owed in the chapter 7 case?
- EXR
Retail credit card may appear under different name in credit report
Dear Experian,
I have two credit cards that are affiliated with private companies. Neither of these credit cards shows up on my credit report. Both have large limits with small balances. How can I get them added to my credit report, and thus improve my credit scores?
- AMC
Marriage will not combine new husband’s old credit history with wife’s
Dear Experian,
My fiancé is divorced and lost his house to foreclosure. He has a bad credit history including bankruptcy. When we marry what are the pros and cons of my taking his name? My credit is pretty good – good enough to buy a $132,000 home two years ago. I’ve heard that marrying and taking their name is a huge mistake if there are credit problems. Can you advise, please?
- PFI
No credit history cause for declination, not lack of credit score
Dear Experian,
I moved to the U.S. two years ago and have since applied three times for a department store card. Requests got denied because I apparently didn’t have a credit score. I also applied for a secured credit card which got approved, and I am slowly starting to build my credit score. Unfortunately, I already have four hard requests. How can I remove older requests that were denied due to the missing credit score?
- MPC
What to do if you are mistakenly reported as deceased
Dear Experian,
I am listed as deceased on my credit history. How can I change that?
- CAG
Income is not part of a credit report so cannot be updated with Experian
Tweet Dear Experian, How do I get the word to Experian that my income has greatly increased? I was denied a credit limit increase on my credit card, and I think it was because they think I still have a low income. – ORI Dear ORI, Income is not part of your credit report. [...]
Inquiry from leasing company cannot be removed
Dear Experian,
A leasing company pulled a credit report on my wife and me without our authorization. How do we have that inquiry removed from our record, and what recourse do we have against the leasing company?
- ALJ
Paid court judgments updated automatically, not deleted immediately
Dear Experian,
I was told by the circuit court that Experian would have to come in and pull the satisfied judgment in order to remove it from my records. Is this correct?
- CAG
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.