Profile:
“New” collection account will be deleted at the same time as original account
Dear Experian,
Is it legal for a collection agency to submit an account that they buy from a creditor as “new” even though that same account before it was purchased from the original creditor by the collection agency was two, three four years old? What can the consumer do to combat that practice in order to clear his or her credit?
- ALJ
Steps for removing a tax lien filed in error
Dear Experian,
I had a lien on my account in 1999 from the state of South Carolina for payroll tax. I have a letter from them stating that the lien was filed in error, but it is still on my credit report. What can I do?
- DMW
Impact of inquires from utilities, cable TV, rent, and cell phones on credit scores
Dear Experian,
How do inquiries from utility, cable television/internet, cellular telephone and residential rentals impact credit scores since payment histories are never reported?
- MDB
What to do when daughter’s SSN is being used to open credit cards
Dear Experian,
Someone is using my five-year-old daughter’s Social Security number. They already have two credit cards open under her number. What should I do?
- REN
Benefits of paying a collection account
Dear Experian,
I have a credit card account on my report that has gone to a collection company and was written off by the credit card company. If I make a deal with the collection company to start a payment plan and pay this off, will it affect my credit in a positive manner or is it too late for that? Also, does the collection company have to report the timely payments to you to show it is being paid?
- SCH
Bankruptcy listed on father’s credit report
Dear Experian,
We recently went through chapter 7 bankruptcy. Our problem is that we are living in a home that belongs to my husband’s father. My husband and his father share the first initial of their first name and of course their last name. My husband’s father was mistaken for my husband and now our bankruptcy is listed on his credit report. What can we do to fix this?
- TPA
Bank may not notify you when cosigner fails to pay
Dear Experian,
I co-signed my son’s auto loan. He was over 30 days late on one payment. Why should that impact my credit score when I was never notified by the lender or asked to make the payment? I knew I was responsible for the loan balance if asked to pay. But, I had no idea that my credit score would be lowered when I was never asked to make a payment.
- JHP
Why your report number may be “invalid”
Dear Experian,
I received a report number, but when I put it in it says it’s invalid. Why?
- MCK
Balance on credit report is usually what appears on billing statement
Dear Experian,
Is there a way to make a credit search show my current balance on a card rather than the balance on the last statement?
- REQ
Car repossession could appear in minor’s credit report
Dear Experian,
If a car loan is opened in a minor’s name as a joint loan with a parent co-signer can it be reported as a repossession on the minor’s credit if the car is repossessed?
- ABA
Credit report lists names, contact information for collection agencies
Dear Experian,
I am trying to pay off my debts with collection agencies, but I do not know who to contact as they do not send me any collection notices for my debts. Would you guys be able to provide me the telephone numbers of the collectors I need to pay off? I want to improve my credit, and I want to start by paying off all my debts.
- OON
Verifying who has checked your credit report
Dear Experian,
How do I verify that a company indeed checked my credit report?
- HOD
Improving credit score without credit card
Dear Experian,
How can you improve your credit score if you don’t have any credit cards?
- HQB
Delinquency cannot be removed after two years of on time payments
Dear Experian,
If payment has not been delinquent for two or more years can it be removed from potentially negative status?
- FRA
Debt management firm isn’t necessary to negotiate with lenders
Dear Experian,
Debt management companies are able to negotiate lower interest rates on unsecured debt. Can consumers do this themselves? Would it be viewed the same as having a debt management company do this for you?
- ANN
Inquiry for employment will not affect credit scores
Dear Experian,
I have been applying for work at employment agencies. They want my permission to conduct a credit check. My concern is that I was told in the past that if too many people are doing credit checks on me, it signifies a problem and can reduce my credit scores. Is that true?
- CICc
Mortgage company not required to report payments
Dear Experian,
I am a homeowner for five years now, and am wondering why my mortgage company does not have to report my mortgage to the three credit bureaus. I applied for a car loan and my bank told me that my home was not on any of the bureaus, so I did not need to include my mortgage payments to apply for any loans. Is this true?
- SBY
Declination for young adult may be result of federal law but won’t hurt scores
Dear Experian,
My daughter applied for a student credit card but was turned down due to insufficient income and excessive obligation. She had no previous credit history. Does this create a credit history, and is it now adversely affected?
- JTL
A joint checking account will not influence credit history or scores
Dear Experian,
Does having a joint checking account bring down a person’s credit score?
- WAG
Repossession remains seven years and can affect credit scores for the entire time
Dear Experian,
How long does a repossession reflect on your credit report, and how does it affect your credit report?
- MMY
Being turned down for credit does not hurt credit scores
Dear Experian,
I was told that every time you get turned down for credit that your score goes down. Is this true?
- STI
Credit reports not established based on age
Dear Experian,
At what age does the credit bureau start reporting credit history?
- RCU
Use cards a little and pay balances in full to build credit
Dear Experian,
I am trying to rebuild my credit. Is it better to keep a zero balance on the credit cards that I have recently paid off or keep a small amount and pay them off each month? I still have some credit cards that have a balance on, which I plan on paying off completely. I would just like to know the best way to raise my credit score.
- LLO
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.