Credit Reports and Repair
Credit reports are used by lenders, apartment management companies and other entities to make decisions regarding loans, leasing apartments, your ability or willingness to repay borrowed funds or for purchases you make. If you have no credit history, your credit report contains inaccurate information, or shows payment problems, it can have a serious impact on your ability to lease a home or apartment or to qualify for a mortgage to purchase a home.
It is never too late to clean up your credit or to start building a good credit history. AHCA can work with you to find out what is in your credit report, counsel you on steps that can be taken to clean up or repair your report, or to start building a history. Depending on the severity of the problem, this may only take a few months, or you may need much longer to solve the problems. But, to paraphrase Ann Landers, if you don't start now, in two years you will be two years older, but nothing will have changed.
Your first step you can take on your own by calling each of the three credit bureaus for copy of your credit report. They are allowed to charge up to $9 for this service. Once you receive your report, you can take steps to correct or improve your credit, if needed:
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Experian: (888)-397-3742 www.experian.com
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Equifax: (800)-685-1111 www.equifax.com
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TransUnion (800)-916-8800 www.transunion.com
If you feel that you need expert advice and assistance to clear up your credit problems, you should contact:
CONSUMER CREDIT COUNSELING SERVICES OF ORANGE COUNTY,
a nonprofit community service organization dedicated to assisting consumers achieve
financial stability thorough education and counseling.
(714) 547-2227
www.cccsoc.org
