Friday, February 6, 2009

No Credit Score For You!

Following up on my blog about your ability to bring down my credit score comes news that I won't even be able to find out my credit score from Experian! Checking myfico.com verifies that they have an announcement to that effect.

I don't need to tell anyone how important the FICO score is. It determines if you can get a mortgage, car loan, and what interest rates you will pay for them. Financial advisors recommend checking your FICO score before applying for big loans so you can be in a good negotiating position when you go in or do something to improve your FICO before making big purchases. Now we are starting to lose that option.

Federal law requires only that you get access to your credit report. You can check your report, be sure no erroneous information is included and request corrections be made if needed (and if they don't make corrections, you can add a letter of explanation to your credit report). There is no requirement that they tell you your FICO score which really is the MOST IMPORTANT PART OF YOUR CREDIT HISTORY!

I would like to give a shout out to Johnson Bank here. I have gotten mortgages through them twice (they operate here in Arizon as well as Wisconsin) after comparison shopping. Both times, the loan agent told me my credit scores from all three reporting agencies after getting my credit report. This was information I could use in my loan comparisons with their competitiors to try and get a lower rate and they shared it freely.

People like to tout the power of the free market. Free markets only function properly if BOTH parties have access to the relevant information. If one party can quote whatever loan terms they desire and then simply say, "Oh, it's your FICO score" and you have no way to know what your score is...well, that is NOT a free market...that is a fixed market...and it's not fixed in your favor.

12 comments:

Beejay said...

Hale, I got my score free just a few weeks ago. I went into some free site for Experian or TransUnion (or whatever it is called now). I wish my pc hadn't crashed. I'll look around and see if I can find the link for you.

Beejay said...

I tried to e-mail you the page, it won't let me. But here is the page. https://www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/index.jsp

I am almost certain this is where I went. Gave me it instantly. Good luck. I also think you can go into a federal site and they have a link.

If you still have a problem, e-mail me and I'll pull out our identity stuff. I think I can find a way through that stuff.

Good luck.

Beejay said...

oops 'identity theft stuff.'

Anonymous said...

a good relationship with your banker should give you access to yourscore. just ask.

hale-bopp said...

I believe that site just gives you your credit report. Did you get the three digit credit sore with your report? According to the FAQ Page at Annualcreditreport.com (the website you linked to)you have to purchase the credit scores separately. Experian is not even going to let you buy them anymore.

And that is a good tip, anon. It might soon be the only way to find out your credit score.

Beejay said...

Yes, I got a three digit score...good grief...maybe I did go to the government site. I know I thought I would have to pay for it, but did not.

Beejay said...

http://www.ftc.gov/freereports Try this one. I'm trying; I'm trying.

Beejay said...

Hale, I did not pay for it. Not one lousy penny. Did not sign up for a trial subscription of anything; nothing.

hale-bopp said...

Wow, Beejay! You pulled one off there! And you got it right before they go and start cutting off access...good timing on your part as well.

Huck Finn said...

Thanks! Worked for me. Trans Union wanted way too much info like where I lived in 1980. Like HUH?? But Esperian tossed me my credit report. They just didn't give me my score. That's okay, from the report, I'm pretty boring with "0" account balances for years.

It's free, you just have to follow the links, fill out the datum and read for where the free report buttons are. Thanks Beejay

OrbsCorbs said...

Yeah, but hale-bopp's point is that the score is the most important part, right?

Beejay said...

I do check our from time to time since we did have our identity stolen about ten years ago.

Now I have a benefit through my Discover card that alerts me to any activity on my credit. This is not limited to the Discover card activity, any activity.