Private Loans Won't Help Credit History - Kiplinger.com

Private Loans Won't Help Credit History - Kiplinger.com: "Private Loans Won't Help Credit History
By Kimberly Lankford
June 28, 2007

Can I establish a credit history in my name if I borrow from a private source, such as a family member? My husband and I are young and are buying a house, and we're borrowing the money from my uncle. If we set up the loan with a regular payment schedule, can we get the loan onto our credit record to show that we've been making payments on time?

Unfortunately that loan won't show up on your credit record. The credit bureaus only report information when they have a contractual relationship with the lender. These lenders and other companies typically have to do enough business with the credit bureau (both reporting and accessing credit information on borrowers) to make the cost of working with the bureau worthwhile.

And the credit bureaus also check out the reporting companies before working with them because they're subject to a lot of legal requirements for how the data is reported, updated and verified. 'Experian does an extensive evaluation of the business to ensure that it is a legitimate company, is well-established in the business, has a physical location, is financially sound, and has gone through a data audit to ensure it has the knowledge and technology to accurately report and verify data according to all legal and policy"

Establishing credit takes time and some patience, but in the end it is worthwhile. If you have no credit history, consider a secured credit card to start. Use it a little each month, but never carry more than 30 percent of your credit limit. Pay it on time, each and every month. Soon you will be able to acquire other cards that are not secured; however, do not request more credit than you absolutely need. In this way you can build a solid credit history and a high credit score.

If you have bad credit, and a poor credit score, consider using a credit repair agency such as Lexington Law. They can help you repair your credit, and in many cases even if you have had a bankruptcy.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) allows a consumer to dispute the information on his credit report on the basis of "completeness and accuracy." When a consumer files a written challenge or dispute, the credit bureaus must contact the source of the credit information (the creditor) and confirm that the information is accurate, verifiable, and not obsolete.

In some cases, the credit bureau is required to go beyond a simple verification of the creditor's own computer record. If the credit bureau has not received verification from the creditor , within 30 days, the credit bureau must promptly delete the credit listing. Learn More.

Don't live with no credit, or worse, with bad credit. Do something about it the right way.

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