Inquiry Section
Names of those who have accessed your report within the past year (two years for employment purposes). There are two types of inquiries – hard and soft. The hard (voluntary) inquiries are generated when authorization is granted by you while requesting credit. Conversely, a soft (involuntary) inquiry is generated for a number of reasons. These inquiries may be a direct request from you for your report or a company considering you for an offer of credit through solicitation. Soft inquiries do not appear on credit reports that lenders see, but may be displayed for informational purposes only. Soft inquiries may include:
- PRM or promotional inquiry – name and address was provided to a company or independent marketing firm.
- AM (account monitoring) or AR (account review) – creditors perform a periodic review of your account.
These inquiries remain on the file for 12 months.
Where can I obtain a copy of my credit report?
You are entitled to one free copy of your report annually from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion through www.annualcreditreport.com or by calling toll free 877.322.8228. You may also write to Annual Credit Report Request Service at P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, Georgia, 30348-5281.
What should I do once I have the report?
Look over the information and make sure you recognize the accounts. Misspelled or inaccurate information may indicate possible credit fraud, identity theft or errors. If you find incorrect information, launch an investigation or file a dispute with the reporting bureau immediately. Request an updated copy within 60 days.
