Well, crap ...

[Pixelated]

So I've applied to one of those payday loan places. They sent me an "application" (read "online interview" and I hate those things with the blazing hatred of a thousand suns ...) and one of the questions was "Can you pass the following scrutinies: police check, drug check, credit check ..."

Dang.

And I was doing so well up until that last one.

Only thing I can hope is that in fact I have done business with one of their sites for a couple of years now and I have excellent credit with that site. I am trying to rebuild my credit rating ... but I don't know if that will be good enough.

[Shyla]

Credit checks are used far too often for no good reason. Only important financial people like CFOs should have to do them. For the rest of us it's BS. If you have bad credit, it probably means you're broke, not that you're more likely to steal.

[Pixelated]

I'm certainly broke ... and I hope they stop to consider the fact I'd probably not still be in a RETAIL job if I were given to stealing.

I did a quick check on one of those freebie sites; I'm listed as "fair" and in fact my credit just went up a bit.

[taxguykarl]

Was that Credit Karma? If so, then your actual FICO is likely to be even higher. I've compared that one to the real McCoy (a service recently offered by one of my credit cards) and CK was consistently lower but within 10% (an acceptable error margin, IMO).
As for building, dispute all the baddies on your reports...yes even the legitimate ones. This may help with your application.
BTW, good luck.

[Pixelated]

Was that Credit Karma? If so, then your actual FICO is likely to be even higher. I've compared that one to the real McCoy (a service recently offered by one of my credit cards) and CK was consistently lower but within 10% (an acceptable error margin, IMO).
As for building, dispute all the baddies on your reports...yes even the legitimate ones. This may help with your application.
BTW, good luck.

It was indeed Credit Karma, and IF I get as far as an interview and IF that comes up, I will be sure to mention the site I used! Thank you!

I am fairly sure that, alas, they are all legitimate (most are really really small amounts that I will pay off as soon as I can -- although a fulltime job would certainly speed up that process!!), but I will see what I can do.

[taxguykarl]

I am fairly sure that, alas, they are all legitimate

Still dispute them.

(most are really really small amounts that I will pay off as soon as I can -- although a fulltime job would certainly speed up that process!!)

In the interview, it can't hurt to put your cards on the table and mention that you have such problems which will easily be solved with that job.

[Seanette]

Thanks for mentioning that. I have an interview next week in which my own credit not being all that great is likely to come up. I've been wondering if I should bring the matter up with my explanation.

[ladyjaneinmd]

Back when my credit rating was tanking (the first time), I got turned down for a job because of it. I was so upset and I told the lady 'Here's a clue for you. Without a job, it's not going to get any better!'

[EricKei]

Speaking of CK - I use that site, myself - I think I'd much rather they under-estimate my score than over-estimate I can see people getting upset with them (cue the usual SC shenanigans) if CK "gave them false hope" regarding their actual score. Want the real score? Check with the credit bureaus directly!

[Pixelated]

Speaking of CK - I use that site, myself - I think I'd much rather they under-estimate my score than over-estimate

Very much this. It's a lot better to think my score might actually be a bit higher than what they are giving me.

I don't know about the credit bureaus, but CK is free. Right now that's a HUGE advantage!

[EricKei]

(In the US) Each of the three credit bureaus will give you a free credit report in full, once per year each -- they HAVE to. Just keep in mind that they, and sites that link to them, will often try to get you into "credit monitoring services" contracts. Just ignore those, go directly to the actual sites; if you do end up with something where they ask for payment info (and can't figure out anything else), remember to CANCEL the minute you get your reports; I don't *think* any actually require a paid plan for the yearly freebie report. It's worth checking with all three because some info may differ based on who reports to them.

https://www.equifax.com/

http://www.experian.com/

https://www.transunion.com/

[Pixelated]

Hmmm ... I live in Canada, but I'll give it a try. Nothing ventured ...

[Argus]

(In the US) Each of the three credit bureaus will give you a free credit report in full, once per year each -- they HAVE to.

Although that requirement might only apply if you go there through http://www.annualcreditreport.com/ .

[csquared]

They have to give you a credit REPORT. They are not required to give you a credit SCORE.

The report is data about your credit history. If there is incorrect information in your report, you can demand to have it removed. They will contact the provider of the data and request proof. If proof is not provided, it will be removed. "Credit Cleaners" commonly use this tactic to have negative reports removed. If the provider doesn't want to make the effort to reply, the data will be removed.

Your credit score is a rating based on the interpretation of the data. The pay for services will usually get you the score. Turbo Tax had a deal that let you get a free report with score after filing your taxes.

[WishfulSpirit]

Hmmm ... I live in Canada, but I'll give it a try. Nothing ventured ...

I bet you already have laws against employers checking your credit unless you're going to work with company bookkeeping.