Credit Reports

Getting A Copy | Reading Your Report | How to Dispute Items on Your Credit | Protecting Your Credit | Credit Bureaus

If you've never read a credit report before - especially if you are disputing a derogatory one - it's a good idea to have a credit counselor or someone knowledgeable review it with you.

Although credit bureau reports may not look alike, they contain many of the same items. Usually included are your credit record and relevant facts such as your age, address, marital status, and employment history. When reviewing, check the details! Be sure your name is spelled right, and the record shows the correct Social Security number and birth date. Any phone numbers, addresses and employer information should be up-to-date.

Your report will show who has requested information about you at your request (such as when you apply for a credit card). It should also tell you who was given information by the bureau in order to send you offers of credit or insurance.

A credit bureau report also lists your creditors (such as retail stores, mortgage companies, and credit card companies.) You can check for obvious problems, but be aware that lenders also look for certain behaviors. For example, even if you have no outstanding balances, holding or applying for several credit cards may hurt your cause. Or your debt ratio, the percentage of your monthly income that goes towards credit payments, may be higher than acceptable.You may also be denied credit if you have not established enough of a credit history to be evaluated.

At Original Mortgage, we understand that some times good people have less than perfect credit. We can work with you to find a program that's right for you.