Credit Reports | Ask Experian

Credit information is updated continuously

Posted on Apr 28 2010 by experian.team

Dear Experian,

How often is credit information updated?

- CNA

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Is it better to pay off one credit card or reduce the balances on two?

Posted on Apr 14 2010 by experian.team

Dear Experian,

If I am trying to raise my credit score, it is better to pay off one credit card entirely or pay down the balance of two cards without paying off either one?

- ECH

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When are closed accounts deleted?

Posted on Apr 14 2010 by experian.team

Dear Experian,

Will the closed account ever be removed from my credit report?

- OWE

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Multiple name variations appearing on your credit report

Posted on Apr 14 2010 by experian.team

Dear Experian,

Too many versions of my name come up on my credit report. How do I delete the wrong ones?

- AUL

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April is Financial Literacy Month

Posted on Apr 14 2010 by experian.team

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.

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Credit information from 1993 no longer in Experian’s credit files

Posted on Mar 31 2010 by experian.team

Dear Experian,

Can I go back to 1992 or 1993 to get some information that was in my credit reports at that time?

- GTH

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Date opened nor date closed affect when account is deleted

Posted on Mar 31 2010 by experian.team

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

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Paying off credit cards likely will save money in the long term

Posted on Mar 31 2010 by experian.team

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

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Turned down after being preapproved

Posted on Mar 17 2010 by experian.team

Dear Experian,

Why am I being told that I have been approved or have been sent preapproval letters and than am shot down?

- GTH

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How long before paid credit cards are updated

Posted on Mar 17 2010 by experian.team

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

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Adding a statement to your credit report

Posted on Mar 17 2010 by experian.team

Dear Experian,

Is there a maximum limit of characters for a consumer to add a personal consumer statement to their credit report?

- FIS

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Business credit card not appearing on personal credit report

Posted on Mar 17 2010 by experian.team

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

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Building credit after paying off old debts

Posted on Mar 03 2010 by experian.team

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

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Deciding whether to cancel credit cards you don’t use

Posted on Mar 03 2010 by experian.team

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

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Removing “account in dispute” notation from report

Posted on Mar 03 2010 by experian.team

Dear Experian,

How can I get the wording “account in dispute” removed from my credit report?

- ADH

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Debts older than seven years should not return to your credit report

Posted on Feb 19 2010 by experian.team

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

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Account not reported by lender

Posted on Feb 19 2010 by experian.team

Dear Experian,

How do I add an account that is on my other reports but not on Experian?

- EAL

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Taking your wife’s name after marriage

Posted on Feb 19 2010 by experian.team

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

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Qualifying for a home after bankruptcy

Posted on Feb 02 2010 by experian.team

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

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Inquiries from existing creditors and for preapproved offers

Posted on Feb 02 2010 by experian.team

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

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