Credit

[legalmoose]

Heaven help you if you share the same name as your father, because your credit report from certain credit bureaus is bound to be confused with your dad's.

Was able to get a clear report from one of the credit reporting agencies. Another one had two different files on me (I was able to print one, they're mailing the other one, which evidently has some of Dad's stuff on it), and the third asked me questions about accounts that I know were Dad's (i.e., mortgage info).

So, will get those in 8-10 days, dispute things, and see how/if it clears up. Whee!

Comments

[rickycavazos.livejournal.com]

Ugh, now that is a nightmare...My father and I have similar names too but only one of his cards was put on my credit report...but nothing that would cause a big deal...Equifax tends to be the most screwed up of all the 3 credit bureaus...it is also the least one used when applying for credit...creditors tend to pull Experian or Transunion the most...

If you're not able to get it cleared up with the bureaus you should confront the creditor and ask them to send you some sort of letter explaining the error...then you can send that letter to the credit bureaus asking them to correct your file.

[hylandr.livejournal.com]

I'm actually a "Jr." After my father died, I was getting mail about Social Security, Medicair, and retirement and I wasn't even 20 yet! Luckily, my father had good credit. I've never looked at any of my reports but since I had trouble getting a credit card from the company I worked at due to a LACK of credit history, I doubt anything extra is there.

[navarchus.livejournal.com]

I'm a "Jr." as well, and when my Dad was killed (a little over 10 years ago), I didn't know that Equifax was the big fuckup that they were.

About a year later, I went to purchase my first house. Of course, the credit check with Equifax showed that I had perfect credit, was born in 1966, was dead, and had died at the age of 51. It also showed that I had purchased more assets in my life than I'd ever earned, and that I'd paid some of them off before I was born. You'd have thought that someone would have noticed.

It took me two weeks to sort it out, and I lost the house I originally wanted. I was initially pissed off, and considered taking Equifax to court for ruining the purchase...but my more "Buddhist" inclinations kicked in when I realized that a better house in the same neighborhood was coming up for sale, and at a lower price. It all worked out...but it really put my "everything happens for a reason" personality to the test.

[ironmanjt.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately, the reason for this is that before 1985 or so, very few credit records were indexed on social security numbers. So, if you ever had a Jack Jr now the problem would be solved. But, until they attatched an SSN to your dad's record it will keep popping up....

SSNs

[legalmoose]

Hmmm. I think we shall be requesting that Dad fix his own record at the same time I fix mine...

Re: SSNs

[ironmanjt.livejournal.com]

Wise idea. :) That's the only true way to try and get it done once and for all.

Now....

Who's yer daddy?

[isabelluna.livejournal.com]

One of my exes has the same first and last name as his father, but different middle names. That causes all sorts of confusion.

Re:

[legalmoose]

Mine is the same plus an "II" at the end.

Add to that the fact that we lived at the same address for the first 20-odd years of my life, and you get lots of fun. :)

[ironmanjt.livejournal.com]

This is by far the best credit site (http://www.myfico.com)

Well, but...

[legalmoose]

Okay, except for the fact that they use Equifax, which is the site who had two credit files on me.

(And I still want to know how they have two files on the same SSN, considering all of my credit stuff was post 1986. :-p)

Dad's going to get an earful when these reports come. ;-)

Re: Well, but...

[ironmanjt.livejournal.com]

It's the best site because it's the most used by credit issuers. IE, if they have the wrong data, you're gonna get screwed more often. :) So, it's the best one to use cause they use it - so make sure it's right!

Re: Well, but...

[legalmoose]

Do they take the disputes or do I just go through Equifax? Or both?

Re: Well, but...

[ironmanjt.livejournal.com]

I think the disputes that you do with Equifax and the others will filter down to them.

Re: Well, but...

[legalmoose]

Good. That process was started already, so hopefully it'll get up their way in another month or two. Whee. :-p

Re: Well, but...

[ironmanjt.livejournal.com]

Well, I believe they are a subsidiary of Equifax, so as long as Equifax et al have the correct data you'll be ok.