official site to help you access your free credit report mandated by law. It is sponsored jointly by the three major credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax and TransUnion.
Note: While the report is free, the score is not. If you purchase a score at AnnualCreditReport.com you will receive your Vantage score, a new score developed by the three credit bureaus, and NOT your FICO score. To purchase your FICO score, go to
www.myfico.com
Ninety percent of the nation’s largest banks rely on FICO scores to extend credit and underwrite loans. Myfico.com provides comprehensive information in English and Spanish to help you understand the FICO score. The website includes products to monitor your score, FICO score, and free access to online forums about current credit topics.
Credit Education
Money-wise, a financial literacy partnership between Consumer Action and Capital One, provides multilingual educational modules on improving credit. Money-wise also provides curricula and teaching aids to train community-based organization staff so that all consumers can be reached.
The credit reporting industry's consumer credit advice column. Maxine Sweet answers consumer questions in her bi-weekly column. Powerful search engine lets you find answers by key word and topic.
Patrick Ritchie's book provides a practical guide to navigating your way to good credit.
StudentPlatinum.com, an Edvisors company, is a leading provider of education resources and financial services around student financial aid. The website offers information, advice, and services to students, their parents and the financial aid community.
Credit Education Training for Trainers
NeighborWorks® America's Training Division is dedicated to providing the highest quality training for community development practitioners and resident leaders throughout the country. Courses at regional training institutes include
Understanding Credit Scores and
Credit Counseling for Maximum Results and many more.
NACCC believes that financial counseling represents and important consumerservice. While their work is not targeted specifically at low and moderate income households, they offer reasonably priced
on-line certification programs to help financial education practitioners improve their knowledge around credit counseling.
Credit for Paying the Bills
Payment Reporting Builds Credit (PRBC) is a new alternative credit bureau that lets individuals opt-in to build an online verified credit history for their bill payments. This service is especially helpful for potential homebuyers.
*CBA is considering a partnership with PRBC which would help community lenders and their clients access PRBC products and services at a membership discount -- to help their clients create PRBC profiles and to use the PRBC credit report when making loan decisions.
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if you are interested.
Credit Analyzing Systems
Bankrate.com offers comprehensive, objective and free resources, strategies, worksheets and tools for comparing credit offers and options,
estimating credit scores, and managing your debt.
Community Empower has developed an award-winning online credit improvement system that uses advanced ScoreManager technology. The system gives counselors information to provide specific strategies to the consumer that will most positively affect their ability to close on a home.
*CBA is considering a partnership with Community Empower to give community lenders access to this service at a membershp discount.
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if you are interested.
Major Consumer Credit Reporting Agencies/Bureaus
Experian Corporate Headquarters
475 Anton Blvd.
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Order credit report by phone: 1-888-397-3742
Credit Fraud Center: 1-888-397-3742
Equifax Credit Information Services, Inc
P.O. Box 740241
Atlanta, GA 30374
Order credit report by phone: 1-800-685-1111
Place a fraud alert on credit report: 1-888-766-0008
Transunion
TransUnion Consumer Solutions
P.O Box 2000
Chester, PA 19022-2000
Free annual credit report: 1-877-322-8228
Dispute an item on your credit report: 1-800-916-8800
Fraud Victim Assistance Department: 1-800-680-7289
