Check your Credit Report

I have been recently considering applying for a car loan, but I thought I would first check my credit report. Here in the US we are able to get a free annual report from each of three different credit reporting agencies. I chose to request just one, from Experion.

When I opened it this am, I was horrified. There were three pages of negative reports, including bankruptcies. All of it from other states. Under personal information, there were over a dozen names that weren't mine. Addresses that weren't mine, etc, etc.

Over an hour on the phone with Experion I finally got it sorted. I had to talk with someone directly, it wouldn't take online disputes or automated phone ones.

Was it fraud? No, the bogus listings and names didn't even have my SS#. Somehow another person was meshed into my credit report.

I have used the same name for my whole life, and lived in Maine over thirty years, ten years at the same address, yet somehow someone else's bad credit got onto my report. GRRRRR>

Well, the Experion rep assured me it has all been removed and safeguards put in place that will prevent anymore information that does not belong to me from getting on there in the future. And they will be sending updated credit reports to anyone that has requested one on me, of which there were at least a dozen-if they were enquiring about me and not this alter ego, I suppose.

Now I am left wondering what information the other two agencies have on file for me, or not me, as the case was.

I suppose I should be happy the corrected report looks great, and I am happy I fixed at least one report before I sit down in front of a bank or auto loan officer...still, THE HORROR. Check your credit report!!!!!