When was the last time you looked at your credit report? Many of you are afraid of what you may find in those lingering debts from the past. I can certainly understand that position, but your credit report can show you more.
Yes, your report does show you who you have and still owe. Being reminded of past balances is painful, while more current debts can make you feel even worse knowing you still need to complete the payoff. Your credit report, in addition, can also show you if others have been using your credit for some of their purchases.
Your credit report will allow you to see if others have been trying to use your credit to make purchases – identity theft! Several years ago, my wife and I were in the last few days before our house closing. We would close on this house we were selling and were closing on a new house in a new city in a few days. Just days before the first closing we received a call that there was an issue with our credit. My wife was shown to have used the services of a hospital in her hometown (and the town we were moving to) and still had an outstanding balance.
Intentional or not, this past due debt was going to hold up our ability to purchase a new house. Fortunately, were were able to make the case that it was not her bill. While she used to live there, she had never been to that hospital and never since we had been married and her new last name.
How do you know if some form of identity theft is occurring to you if you are not checking your report?