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From: pflueger@thewav.enet.dec.com (Free speech is a sound investment)
Newsgroups: comp.org.eff.talk,alt.privacy
Subject: Re: Getting your credit report for free (was Re: Safeway Stores to Accept Charge Cards)
Message-ID: <2874@shodha.enet.dec.com>
Date: 9 Apr 91 07:06:27 GMT
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In article <1991Apr7.065321.7204@iwarp.intel.com>, merlyn@iwarp.intel.com (Randal L. Schwartz) writes...
>In article <1991Apr6.191817.23675@murdoch.acc.Virginia.EDU>, spm2d@uvacs (Steven P. Miale) writes:
>| I also believe we should be able to get our credit reports for free instead
>| of having to pay $X a month for them, but that is another topic.
> 
>Actually, they're easy to get for free (OK, the cost of one or two
>stamps).
> 
>Apply for some credit.  Any credit.  Most importantly, something you
>will get rejected for.  (AmEx Turbo-Platinum, if you wish. :-) (To
>keep it to only costing one stamp, use one of those AmEx card
>applications with the prepaid business-reply envelopes from some
>store.)

[...]

The downside risk on this strategy is that the negative reference will remain
on your credit profile for 6 months.  Also be careful that you know what credit 
reporting bureau they use before you send in your application.  If you don't
ask, then you run the risk of getting multiple rejections on a single report,
while your intent was to obtain your TRW/CBI/Equifax report.

If you want to try this idea, then ask the creditor (call them toll free)
as to what bureau they use before you fill in the application. 

This scenario can be used to your advantage when you apply for credit; If you 
have a better report with TRW, then apply with a creditor that won't pull your
CBI!  [Of course, that's assuming that your TRW is better than your CBI]

 *-				    --+--                                     -*
  Jim Pflueger  		      |	      pflueger@thewav.enet.dec.com
  DEC Enterprise Integration Services |	      !decwrl!thewav.enet!pflueger
  Costa Mesa, California              |   < This reply entered via News-Notes >
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