How did they do Credit checks pre-wide spread use of the internet?

I get American Express. They give you the option of paying off all of your bills in one month w/o any interest attached. If you don't pay it all off, then that's when your interest catches on.

Personally, I use my AE and buy on what I can pay it off within a month from my bank account.

It's that time of the year again.

I pay them $15 a month to track my reported financial info. But, my job depends on having good credit so I want to know immeditely if something shows up that shouldn't be there.

We don't borrow money. I don't like filling out forms. Plus I like it when I buy a car or something and they ask about financing and I just say, "What, won't you take my personal check?" I'm pretty sure my credit rating is probably crap since we don't do debt. Eh, big deal, I'm not getting any other jobs or borrowing any money so who cares?...

Asked for f****ing mail after i filled out all that sh**.

worthless.

Because they are the worst of the 3 in getting items fixed. Their reputation for errors is second to none.

Do you mean the old Beacon score being replaced with the FICO score? Fair Isaac has had their model out for some 25 years. It just never caught on until everyone got tired of holes in the Beacon scoring system.

I noticed you are a financial advice writer...who do you write for?

mmaddog
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Most of them were done by pulling reports via a link to the servers of the Credit reporting providers.

Before that it was called into the Credit Bureau and they would read you the report over the phone and send a hard copy thru the mail.

I've seen the evolution of credit....starting my 34th year in the Credit Industry.

mmaddog
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Hmm, I thought I would pass this along as well, it could save you a lot of time and money.

1. Do not sign the back of your credit cards. Instead, put 'PHOTO ID REQUIRED.'

2. When you are writing checks to pay on your credit card accounts, DO NOT put the complete account number on the 'For' line. Instead, just put the last four numbers. The credit card company knows the rest of the number, and anyone who might be handling your check as it passes through all the check processing channels won't have access to it.

3. Put your work phone # on your checks instead of your home phone. If you have a PO Box use that instead of your home address. If you do not have a PO Box, use your work address. Neverhave your SS# printed on your checks. (DUH!) You can add it if it is necessary. But if you have It printed, anyone can get it.

4. Place the contents of your wallet on a photocopy machine. Do both sides of each license, credit card, etc. You will know what you had in your wallet and all of the account numbers and phone numbers to call and cancel.. Keep the photocopy in a safe place.
I also carry a photocopy of my passport when I travel either here or abroad. We've all heard horror stories about fraud that's committed on us in stealing a Name, address, Social Security number, credit cards..

Unfortunately, I, an attorney, have first hand knowledge because my wallet was stolen last month. Within a week, the thieves ordered an expensive monthly cell phone package, applied for a VISA credit card, had a credit line approved to buy a Gateway computer, received a PIN number from DMV to change my driving record information online, and more
But here's some critical information to limit the damage in case this happens to you or someone you know:

5. We have been told we should cancel our credit cards immediately. But the key is having the toll free numbers and your card numbers handy so you know whom to call. Keep those where you can find them.

6.. File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where your credit cards, etc., were stolen. This proves to credit providers you were diligent, and this is a first step toward an investigation (if there ever is one).

But here's what is perhaps most important of all: (I never even thought to do this.)
7. Call the 3 national credit reporting organizations immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and also call the Social Security fraud line number.. I had never heard of doing that until advised by a bank that called to tell me an application for credit was made over the Internet in my name.

The alert means any company that checks your credit knows your information was stolen, and they have to contact you by phone to authorize new credit..

Now, here are the numbers you always need to contact about your wallet, if it has been stolen:

1.) Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
2.) Experian (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742
3.) Trans Union : 1-800-680 7289
4.) Social Security Administration (fraud line):1-800-269-0271

I'm sure you are speaking of people who rack up huge credit card bills and buy a car they really can't afford and not about responsible people who lost their job for an extended period of time.