Denied Credit because of Something in Your Credit Report?
The lender who denied you credit must give you the name and address of the credit bureau that produced the credit report. Then, you have up to 30 days to request a free copy of your report.

The credit bureau must tell you the nature and substance of all information contained in your report. It must also tell you the sources of the information and who has received your report for the previous six months (two years for reports furnished for employment purposes).

Late and missed payments will show up on your credit report and hurt your chances of being approved for credit, life insurance, or employment. To find out about organizations in your area that help consumers solve credit problems and create a budget, contact the National Foundation for Consumer Credit at (800) 388-2227. Spanish speakers can call (800) 682-9832. Additional information on improving a credit rating can be found in "How to Establish, Use, and Protect Your Credit," a brochure by the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco.

How Long Does Information Stay on Your Credit Report?

Generally, all your credit history information, good or bad, remains on your report for seven years. If you file for personal bankruptcy, that fact remains on your credit report for 10 years.
How Do You Get a Copy of Your Credit Report?

You are entitled to receive one free credit report every 12 months from each of the nationwide consumer credit reporting companies Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. This free credit file can be requested through annualcreditreport.com or by contacting the companies directly by phone or by mail as listed below.

To process your request, you will need to provide specific information, such as your name, current and previous addresses, telephone number, social security number, and date of birth. Also, to verify your identity, other information such as a copy of your driver's license, utility bill(s), or bank statement may be required. Keep in mind that the three large bureaus do not necessarily share information with each other. The content of your credit report can be different at each bureau, so it's a good idea to request copies from each one.

To contact the three major credit bureaus:

    Equifax
    (800) 685-1111

    Trans Union
    Consumer Disclosure Center
    (800) 916-8800 or (800) 888-4213

    Experian (formerly TRW)
    (888) 397-3742