Credit Report FAQ

Is it safe?

You order your report from a company called TrueCredit, and they are very reputable. They have delivered over 1,000,000 credit reports since 1995 and are majority-owned by Lehman Brothers, a major financial services firm and TransUnion, one of the major credit bureaus. These companies won't risk their reputation working with an unethical company.

True Credit's web sites use all of the latest encryption and data security technologies to make sure that your sensitive information is always protected.

Won't ordering a credit report hurt my credit?

No. Consumers have the right to look at their credit report without it affecting their credit or credit score. When you request your credit report it's called a "consumer pull" and has no affect on your credit. Only when you ask a possible creditor to inquire about your credit can it affect your score.

For example, if you go out looking for a new car and you let a dealership request a copy of your credit report. That could affect your credit score because it implies you're looking to open new lines of credit.

What credit bureau provides the data for the reports?

For the single credit report and score, the information is from TransUnion. The 3-in-1 report has data is from all three major credit bureaus.

Why does TrueCredit need all the information on the order form?

They need the information to verify your identity. Advanced security screens make sure that your request is valid and that you are who you say you are.

What does the credit monitoring service do for me?

You receive online monitoring alerts that inform you of important changes to your credit file, including:

• Derogatory information
• Credit Inquiries
• Newly opened accounts
• Several indicators of possible credit fraud

Isn't everyone entitled to one free credit report annually?

By Federal law, you are entitled to one free credit report per year directly from a credit reporting agency only if you certify that:

• you are unemployed and seeking employment in the next 60 days.
• you are receiving public assistance.
• you believe there are inaccuracies in your report due to fraud.

Also, if you are denied credit on the basis of information in a credit report you are entitled to a free copy of your report from the credit bureau that supplied the credit report.

Residents of Colorado, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Vermont are entitled by state law to one free report from a credit reporting agency per year. Residents of Georgia are entitled to two.

General Credit Report Questions and Answers

If you want to learn more about credit reports in general and how they can help you uncover fraud, go to our credit report explanation page