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Checking your credit

By
Mortgage and Lending with Bay Equity, LLC 770-634-4021 NMLS #206275 GA 25689

Due to all of the advances in technology, we can all enjoy easy access to our information and the internet.  We connect via, computer, laptops, tablets and smart phones.  We can search for information and purchase goods or services all at our finger tips.  But with all of that convenience, it does come with some disadvantages. 

 

Monitoring the activity on your credit report is not a recommendation that should be taken lightly.  In fact, once you have children with issued social security numbers, you should be checking their credit report on an annual basis as well.

 

Recently a past client called to tell me that someone had used her son’s ( he is 7) social security number to apply for a new car!  Apparently the social security number and name were checked but not the age.

 

 

Moving forward be sure to have a plan to monitor the activity.  I always suggest requesting a copy from each of the three bureaus once every 4 months.  

 

 

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Kathy Sheehan Senior Loan Officer

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Bay Equity LLC

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The opinions and general information in this blog are soley those of Kathy Sheehan.  Specifics regarding an individual case should be discussed in detail with a loan professional.  For a confidential consultation, please feel free to contact me via phone or email.  All terms and conditions are subject to change.

 

Richard Iarossi
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Crofton, MD
Crofton MD Real Estate, Annapolis MD Real Estate

Kathy,

It's always better to be proactive, rather than reactive, when it comes to your credit.

Rich

Nov 25, 2013 07:47 PM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Great suggestion and reminder. The main thing people need to remember though, is if they apply for a mortgage, lenders use a different set of criteria to judge credit.

Nov 25, 2013 08:29 PM
Goran Utvic
Goran Utvic Real Estate Broker/Construction Consultant - Chicago, IL
Chicago 2 Flat Specialist

great post and advice Kathy thanks

Nov 25, 2013 09:00 PM
Sandra DeVargas
Real Estate Associate Broker - Buffalo, NY
The DEVARGAS Team at WNY Metro Roberts Realty

I agree, it is just as important to check our credit as it is to go the the Dr every year. It is part of having healthy credit...

Nov 25, 2013 09:32 PM
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Kathy, I also think it is a good idea to keep tabs on your credit.

Nov 25, 2013 09:48 PM
Ralph Gorgoglione
Metro Life Homes - Palm Springs, CA
California and Hawaii Real Estate (310) 497-9407
Kathy, some people may think checking credit so often is excessive, but if you consider the high rate of identity theft, it is a necessary chore.
Nov 25, 2013 10:11 PM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

I agree, checking credit should be done on a regular basis. 

Nov 25, 2013 10:21 PM
Jeff Stevens
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New Mexico Properties - Las Cruces, NM
Jeff Stevens, Associate Broker/REALTOR

Kathy - when I was in high school a company claiming to be a video production company came to our school to "audition" for some extra work on music video's. They had everyone, me included, fill out paperwork which included our SS#'s so we could appear in said video. Well, you can probably guess the rest..it was a scam. It took me years to clear my name from that mess. Now days it is much easier for people to protect themselves from things like this. Good post.

Nov 25, 2013 10:24 PM
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

I reached the point where I don't do credit. Own everything and pay cash or debit card now. I'm free, free at last. MLK

Nov 25, 2013 10:55 PM
Suzanne Otto
Six Twenty Designs - Lansdale, PA
Your Montgomery County PA home stager

I've heard about that! There are creeps out there taking children's social security numbers. Where does it stop?!

People shouldn't just be checking their score, they have to monitor the activity too. Great advice Kathy.

Nov 25, 2013 11:05 PM
Jordon Wheeler
The Jordon Wheeler Group - Fairburn, GA
J W Group Real Estate Sales and Service

Good morning Kathy,

How sad for a child to start out life having to protect their social.  Thanks for the post and best of GREAT success to you always! 

Nov 25, 2013 11:23 PM
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

Kathy, it´s become a semi-monthly routind for me.  I´ve never had a problem, but is sure is best to nip anything in the bud.

Nov 25, 2013 11:40 PM
Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV
Cornerstone Business Group Inc - Winchester, VA
Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro

Amen, Kathy. I did sign up for Lifelock this year to have a monitoring source when I'm not, and so far, I've been very satisfied. 

Nov 26, 2013 12:16 AM
Paul McFadden
Responsive Pest Control - Seattle, WA
Pest Control, Seattle, WA.

Kathy: Great advice. Most of my clients appear to have an idea of what their credit looks like. Thanks!

Nov 26, 2013 02:07 AM
Bill and MaryAnn Wagner
Wagner Real Estate Group - Ocean City, NJ
Jersey Shore and South Jersey Real Estate

Kathy,

Never even considered it. We monitor our credit, but now we'll start checking the kids also. Thanks!

Nov 26, 2013 02:19 AM
Bryan Robertson
Los Altos, CA

I haven't checked my son's number so it would be interesting to find out if it's being used anywhere it shouldn't.

Nov 26, 2013 02:31 AM
Patrick Kelly
Kemah Properties - Kemah, TX
Kemah Properties

creditkarma.com will also give you your credit score, and does not require a credit card number like some other "free" sites. annualcreditreport..com will pull your credit for free once a year.

Nov 26, 2013 03:08 AM
Gene Mundt, IL/WI Mortgage Originator - FHA/VA/Conv/Jumbo/Portfolio/Refi
NMLS #216987, IL Lic. 031.0006220, WI Licensed. APMC NMLS #175656 - New Lenox, IL
708.921.6331 - 40+ yrs experience

Excellent advice, Kathy ... as this type of stealing and fraud is on the rise.  Unsuspecting victims don't know it until they themselves apply for credit when they're older.  Best to keep watch on a consistent basis ...a

Congrats on a great Feature!  (And Happy Thanksgiving!)

Gene 

Nov 26, 2013 06:04 AM
Barbara-Jo Roberts Berberi, MA, PSA, TRC - Greater Clearwater Florida Residential Real Estate Professional
Charles Rutenberg Realty - Clearwater, FL
Palm Harbor, Dunedin, Clearwater, Safety Harbor

Always good to keep on top of how your credit is doing, especially with all of the identity theft.

Nov 26, 2013 07:37 AM
Sussie Sutton
David Tracy Real Estate - Houston, TX
David Tracy Real Estate for Buyers & Sellers

That has become such a problem! I wish people would just be honest! Good Grief!

Nov 26, 2013 11:17 PM