Posts Tagged Credit Reporting Agency
The Importance of a Business Credit Report
Francis Murphy asked:
A business credit report is a report that indicates the creditworthiness of a company. A document like this can be obtained from a bank or a credit reporting agency. The information contained a business entity’s current financial position and credit history as well as public records such as bankruptcies, foreclosures and judgments. Information for a credit report is largely culled from creditors and similar sources.
It is important for a business to maintain a solid report. A good business credit report can be critical to obtaining favourable financial terms for a business when creditors are reviewing its creditworthiness. A good credit history is also influential to help customers decide who to do business with. Credit reports can help businesses manage their credit risk, prevent fraud, target marketing offers and automate decision making. Essentially, this helps maintain the financial security of a business entity and is an indicator of the business’ financial health.
Business credit reports can be obtained from credit reporting agencies or credit bureaus. These companies provide and store personal credit histories as well as provide credit reports upon request. Unlike personal credit reports, permission is not required from business owners should a person wish to request a business entity’s credit report.
Those who request a business credit report are known as “end users” and they are not allowed to show the report to anyone else without permissible purpose. However, it is not illegal to resell credit reports, although the reseller must indicate the end user and their permissible purpose.
It is not enough to assume that a favourable personal credit score can secure your business a good business credit score. Every business should encourage its vendors to report your payment history to credit reporting agencies so that such information is on file. Separating your personal report from that of your business ensures that your personal credit standing will not be affected should your business face any risks.
Business credit needs to be constantly managed and monitored so that anyone who views your report receives current information.
Ida
A business credit report is a report that indicates the creditworthiness of a company. A document like this can be obtained from a bank or a credit reporting agency. The information contained a business entity’s current financial position and credit history as well as public records such as bankruptcies, foreclosures and judgments. Information for a credit report is largely culled from creditors and similar sources.
It is important for a business to maintain a solid report. A good business credit report can be critical to obtaining favourable financial terms for a business when creditors are reviewing its creditworthiness. A good credit history is also influential to help customers decide who to do business with. Credit reports can help businesses manage their credit risk, prevent fraud, target marketing offers and automate decision making. Essentially, this helps maintain the financial security of a business entity and is an indicator of the business’ financial health.
Business credit reports can be obtained from credit reporting agencies or credit bureaus. These companies provide and store personal credit histories as well as provide credit reports upon request. Unlike personal credit reports, permission is not required from business owners should a person wish to request a business entity’s credit report.
Those who request a business credit report are known as “end users” and they are not allowed to show the report to anyone else without permissible purpose. However, it is not illegal to resell credit reports, although the reseller must indicate the end user and their permissible purpose.
It is not enough to assume that a favourable personal credit score can secure your business a good business credit score. Every business should encourage its vendors to report your payment history to credit reporting agencies so that such information is on file. Separating your personal report from that of your business ensures that your personal credit standing will not be affected should your business face any risks.
Business credit needs to be constantly managed and monitored so that anyone who views your report receives current information.
Ida
Experian Credit Reporting Agency has my Social Security Number connected to another woman with a similar name?
Nikki L asked:
I recently checked my credit score due to a denial on a credit card. I am divorced and was worried my ex didn’t pay a credit card bill that was in both our name. When I entered all of my personal and secure information into the “free credit report.com” 2 out of 3 reporting agencies had my correct credit history. However, the third, Experian, did not. The person it was reporting had TERRIBLE credit, and although mine isn’t an 800 it’s most definitely not a 540. I was recently informed by the company I work for that we will no longer have company cars and in place will acquire a car allowance, unfortunately I do not have my own vehicle and will have to purchase one by September 1st, 2009. Has this happened to anyone ever/recently? I’ve tried contacting Experian with no success, and every time I go to the “dispute” tab it automatically adds the girls information they have me confused with, since she’s $14,000 (+) in debt and (fortunately) I have none I don’t want to affiliate myself with this woman in any way. I need the help of anyone that’s been through this or contact information to correct this…not to sound pathetic but I’m BEGGING!!!
Thanks in advanced for your help and sorry this is so long, I’m freaking out…and I talk a lot!!!
Virginia
I recently checked my credit score due to a denial on a credit card. I am divorced and was worried my ex didn’t pay a credit card bill that was in both our name. When I entered all of my personal and secure information into the “free credit report.com” 2 out of 3 reporting agencies had my correct credit history. However, the third, Experian, did not. The person it was reporting had TERRIBLE credit, and although mine isn’t an 800 it’s most definitely not a 540. I was recently informed by the company I work for that we will no longer have company cars and in place will acquire a car allowance, unfortunately I do not have my own vehicle and will have to purchase one by September 1st, 2009. Has this happened to anyone ever/recently? I’ve tried contacting Experian with no success, and every time I go to the “dispute” tab it automatically adds the girls information they have me confused with, since she’s $14,000 (+) in debt and (fortunately) I have none I don’t want to affiliate myself with this woman in any way. I need the help of anyone that’s been through this or contact information to correct this…not to sound pathetic but I’m BEGGING!!!
Thanks in advanced for your help and sorry this is so long, I’m freaking out…and I talk a lot!!!Virginia
The Credit Dispute Dance
James Charlet asked:
I have worked at an extremely high level within a credit-reporting agency. I have responded to attorney general complaints, lawsuits against them, congressmen, and lobbyist firms working on their behalf. I am considered an “expert.” I have also worked for credit restoration companies, including one of, if not the, largest as an executive. I have written letters for and on behalf of clients that specifically stated which sections and sub-sections of the FCRA were being violated by errors I saw on the client’s credit report,; only to get a form letter response completely ignoring the substance of the letter. I recognize that it is odd to start an article this way, but I say these things only to illustrate that what I am about to compose is made from a position of direct, first hand knowledge about the credit reporting industry and their practices. Frankly, credit-reporting agencies would be happy if you did not even know that your personal credit report exists.
Recently, I mailed a letter from my home to the credit reporting agencies to investigate a couple inaccuracies with my wife’s credit report. I reviewed the report online, composed the letter, had my wife review and sign the letter, addressed the envelope by hand, stamped it, and dropped it in the mail. To even my surprise, they responded with a one-page form letter, that, if I remember correctly, is coded as letter 501 in their system, stating that the dispute they received was “suspicious” and “not sent by me.” The letter is vaguely threatening and implies that some sort of fraud may have been committed. It is clearly designed to deter someone from investigating his or her credit report. Personally, I filed a complaint with the better business bureau immediately. But, let’s face it, most consumers would have thrown that letter in the trash, dejected, and never bothered the credit-reporting agency again.
So, what is the recommended course of action? Well, according to the FTC, some state attorney generals, and the credit reporting agencies themselves, they are benevolent corporations; ready to do whatever they need to do when a consumer comes to them. They even go so far as to actively discourage people from seeking any 3rd party help in dealing with complex issues in their credit report, instead endorsing “self help.” The obvious problem, as illustrated by the above two paragraphs, is that this does not work.
To top off the problem, for all of the thousands of credit reports I have looked at over the years, from all of the credit reporting agencies credit bureaus, I cannot thing of one report that did not have some sort of legitimate error on it. Some of them small, like an inaccurate open date or closed date, some of it ridiculous like a mixed file between two consumers who never met, one with 50 collections, the other with none. Addressing these problems can also be a big gamble for the consumer based upon the knowledge or experience level of the random agent who services the file and the consumer’s ability to recognize whether or not there issue has been properly handled. For most consumers, this is just too much of a task to undertake with everything else they have going on in their lives. That is exactly how the credit reporting agencies and their real clients, the creditors, prefer it.
I do not write this to encourage cynicism or despair, but to propose a different perspective. I left the credit-reporting agency because, after a lot of soul searching, I came to believe that what they did was bad for average citizens. I saw how they lobbied and contributed to the creation of the laws that were to eventually regulate them: how they then hid behind those laws, blaming any errors on the creditors, while the creditors, in turn, blame the errors on the credit reporting agency. What consumers must do is be vigilant when they decide that their report is worth fighting for. Despite claims that are made by the credit reporting agencies, opting to utilize a credible credit restoration company to save you the hours of time and effort that could be spent doing it yourself can be a very good option. For others, if you choose to go it alone, make a solid commitment. Do your research, checkout online forums with others doing the same thing, respond when you receive mail from a creditor or credit reporting agency, and don’t be afraid to complain to higher authorities when it is necessary. Most of all, be very wary of any news or instructions that come from the credit reporting agencies themselves. They are in business to make money and they make more money when you don’t bother them.
Tammy
I have worked at an extremely high level within a credit-reporting agency. I have responded to attorney general complaints, lawsuits against them, congressmen, and lobbyist firms working on their behalf. I am considered an “expert.” I have also worked for credit restoration companies, including one of, if not the, largest as an executive. I have written letters for and on behalf of clients that specifically stated which sections and sub-sections of the FCRA were being violated by errors I saw on the client’s credit report,; only to get a form letter response completely ignoring the substance of the letter. I recognize that it is odd to start an article this way, but I say these things only to illustrate that what I am about to compose is made from a position of direct, first hand knowledge about the credit reporting industry and their practices. Frankly, credit-reporting agencies would be happy if you did not even know that your personal credit report exists.
Recently, I mailed a letter from my home to the credit reporting agencies to investigate a couple inaccuracies with my wife’s credit report. I reviewed the report online, composed the letter, had my wife review and sign the letter, addressed the envelope by hand, stamped it, and dropped it in the mail. To even my surprise, they responded with a one-page form letter, that, if I remember correctly, is coded as letter 501 in their system, stating that the dispute they received was “suspicious” and “not sent by me.” The letter is vaguely threatening and implies that some sort of fraud may have been committed. It is clearly designed to deter someone from investigating his or her credit report. Personally, I filed a complaint with the better business bureau immediately. But, let’s face it, most consumers would have thrown that letter in the trash, dejected, and never bothered the credit-reporting agency again.
So, what is the recommended course of action? Well, according to the FTC, some state attorney generals, and the credit reporting agencies themselves, they are benevolent corporations; ready to do whatever they need to do when a consumer comes to them. They even go so far as to actively discourage people from seeking any 3rd party help in dealing with complex issues in their credit report, instead endorsing “self help.” The obvious problem, as illustrated by the above two paragraphs, is that this does not work.
To top off the problem, for all of the thousands of credit reports I have looked at over the years, from all of the credit reporting agencies credit bureaus, I cannot thing of one report that did not have some sort of legitimate error on it. Some of them small, like an inaccurate open date or closed date, some of it ridiculous like a mixed file between two consumers who never met, one with 50 collections, the other with none. Addressing these problems can also be a big gamble for the consumer based upon the knowledge or experience level of the random agent who services the file and the consumer’s ability to recognize whether or not there issue has been properly handled. For most consumers, this is just too much of a task to undertake with everything else they have going on in their lives. That is exactly how the credit reporting agencies and their real clients, the creditors, prefer it.
I do not write this to encourage cynicism or despair, but to propose a different perspective. I left the credit-reporting agency because, after a lot of soul searching, I came to believe that what they did was bad for average citizens. I saw how they lobbied and contributed to the creation of the laws that were to eventually regulate them: how they then hid behind those laws, blaming any errors on the creditors, while the creditors, in turn, blame the errors on the credit reporting agency. What consumers must do is be vigilant when they decide that their report is worth fighting for. Despite claims that are made by the credit reporting agencies, opting to utilize a credible credit restoration company to save you the hours of time and effort that could be spent doing it yourself can be a very good option. For others, if you choose to go it alone, make a solid commitment. Do your research, checkout online forums with others doing the same thing, respond when you receive mail from a creditor or credit reporting agency, and don’t be afraid to complain to higher authorities when it is necessary. Most of all, be very wary of any news or instructions that come from the credit reporting agencies themselves. They are in business to make money and they make more money when you don’t bother them.
Tammy
Learn How to Clean Up Your Credit Report Online
Brock Timberman asked:
You have the new car all picked out. You have done the math over and over again, and you can afford the monthly payments. Suddenly, just before you get the keys, you find out that your credit score isn’t high enough. Don’t be embarrassed. This can and has happened to many people. Now you know that it is time to clean up your credit report. Contrary to popular belief there are many things you can do on your own to clean up your credit report. You can take steps to have both false and negative information removed from your report.
First of all, make a copy of your credit report and circle all the information that you believe is incorrect and would like to have changed. Write a letter to the credit reporting agency and request an investigation to dispute any false information. If you have paper work supporting your claims, include it. Send all the materials by certified mail with a return receipt so that you can prove the package was received. Send a similar letter to each creditor whose information you disagree with. If your dispute involves personal information, such as your current address, then include a copy of your driver’s license to prove your current address.
The credit reporting agency will then initiate an investigation. They will contact each of the creditors that you are disputing information with and require them to verify the information. If they can not or do not do this, the false information will be removed. If the investigation finds an error, you have the right to ask that a report be sent to everyone that received the bad information.
If the credit reporting agency reports that the information they have is accurate, they must provide you with the current contact information of the creditor that is supplying the information. If you disagree, you can initiate a second investigation. Sometimes you will hit a dead end. It can sometimes be difficult to have information changed. Be persistent. Eventually, you will get the item removed.
Negative information can be more difficult, yet not impossible to remove. A bankruptcy will remain on your credit report for ten years. Most other types of negative information will drop off after seven years. If you have an account that was previously past due, but has been brought up to current, you can often get the creditor to remove the negative information. Write them a letter and ask them to remove the negative information. If they see that the account is current, often times they will comply. Another tactic is to dispute an item that you know is accurate. You may have to fight your conscience a bit, but you can dispute any item and take the chance that it will be removed.
Always be very careful when giving any personal information out online or over the phone. Make sure you are dealing with a reputable agency.
Jacob
You have the new car all picked out. You have done the math over and over again, and you can afford the monthly payments. Suddenly, just before you get the keys, you find out that your credit score isn’t high enough. Don’t be embarrassed. This can and has happened to many people. Now you know that it is time to clean up your credit report. Contrary to popular belief there are many things you can do on your own to clean up your credit report. You can take steps to have both false and negative information removed from your report.
First of all, make a copy of your credit report and circle all the information that you believe is incorrect and would like to have changed. Write a letter to the credit reporting agency and request an investigation to dispute any false information. If you have paper work supporting your claims, include it. Send all the materials by certified mail with a return receipt so that you can prove the package was received. Send a similar letter to each creditor whose information you disagree with. If your dispute involves personal information, such as your current address, then include a copy of your driver’s license to prove your current address.
The credit reporting agency will then initiate an investigation. They will contact each of the creditors that you are disputing information with and require them to verify the information. If they can not or do not do this, the false information will be removed. If the investigation finds an error, you have the right to ask that a report be sent to everyone that received the bad information.
If the credit reporting agency reports that the information they have is accurate, they must provide you with the current contact information of the creditor that is supplying the information. If you disagree, you can initiate a second investigation. Sometimes you will hit a dead end. It can sometimes be difficult to have information changed. Be persistent. Eventually, you will get the item removed.
Negative information can be more difficult, yet not impossible to remove. A bankruptcy will remain on your credit report for ten years. Most other types of negative information will drop off after seven years. If you have an account that was previously past due, but has been brought up to current, you can often get the creditor to remove the negative information. Write them a letter and ask them to remove the negative information. If they see that the account is current, often times they will comply. Another tactic is to dispute an item that you know is accurate. You may have to fight your conscience a bit, but you can dispute any item and take the chance that it will be removed.
Always be very careful when giving any personal information out online or over the phone. Make sure you are dealing with a reputable agency.
Jacob
Personal Credit Report Rating – 3 Tips to Improve Score
Carrie Reeder asked:
Your personal credit report score largely determines the rates you can
qualify for with most types of credit. The higher your score, the
better rates you can get. To find your score, you can request it from a credit monitoring service or credit reporting agency. Most credit monitoring companies will provide it free with an introductory offer, but you will have to pay for it from a reporting agency.
With hundreds of factors determining your credit score, there are many
ways
to improve it. The follow three are the quickest ways to boost your
numbers.
1. Pay Off Short Term Debt
The less debt you have, the better your score. Actually, creditors look
at
your debt to income ratio. They also rate debt differently. So credit
cards
are seen as more negative that college loans or a mortgage.
Focus on paying off short term debt first, like credit cards. Paying
off the
other debt can come later. However, having credit cards and making
regular
payments is better than having no credit.
2. Spread Debt Around
Not only do lenders look at your general debt load, they also consider
specific accounts. Maxing out any account is seen negatively. It is
better
to spread that debt around to multiple accounts. Most advisors suggest
having no more than 30% to 50% of a line of credit in use.
Be hesitant to open a new credit card account though if you are
planning to
apply for a mortgage or car loan. Opening new accounts can also
temporarily
hurt your score.
3. Close Newer Accounts
While you are looking at your credit report, consider closing some of
your
unused, newer accounts. The more credit you have available, the less
new
credit you can get – even if you aren’t using it. However, the longer
you
have an account, the better your credit score.
One way to get around this is to close accounts, then wait a couple of
months to apply for a loan. This will give time for your credit score
to
jump back.
There are no quick fixes to credit scores. Time and good credit habits
are
the surest ways of getting to good credit standing and low rates.
Harvey
Your personal credit report score largely determines the rates you can
qualify for with most types of credit. The higher your score, the
better rates you can get. To find your score, you can request it from a credit monitoring service or credit reporting agency. Most credit monitoring companies will provide it free with an introductory offer, but you will have to pay for it from a reporting agency.
With hundreds of factors determining your credit score, there are many
ways
to improve it. The follow three are the quickest ways to boost your
numbers.
1. Pay Off Short Term Debt
The less debt you have, the better your score. Actually, creditors look
at
your debt to income ratio. They also rate debt differently. So credit
cards
are seen as more negative that college loans or a mortgage.
Focus on paying off short term debt first, like credit cards. Paying
off the
other debt can come later. However, having credit cards and making
regular
payments is better than having no credit.
2. Spread Debt Around
Not only do lenders look at your general debt load, they also consider
specific accounts. Maxing out any account is seen negatively. It is
better
to spread that debt around to multiple accounts. Most advisors suggest
having no more than 30% to 50% of a line of credit in use.
Be hesitant to open a new credit card account though if you are
planning to
apply for a mortgage or car loan. Opening new accounts can also
temporarily
hurt your score.
3. Close Newer Accounts
While you are looking at your credit report, consider closing some of
your
unused, newer accounts. The more credit you have available, the less
new
credit you can get – even if you aren’t using it. However, the longer
you
have an account, the better your credit score.
One way to get around this is to close accounts, then wait a couple of
months to apply for a loan. This will give time for your credit score
to
jump back.
There are no quick fixes to credit scores. Time and good credit habits
are
the surest ways of getting to good credit standing and low rates.
Harvey
Credit Reports Demystified
Ray Dando asked:
Anyone who has ever applied for any type of credit like a credit card, a mortgage, or even a cell phone has likely had their credit report checked. If the report says that you are late paying bills or have a ton of debt, you could have to pay a higher interest rate or even get turned down altogether.
Scott Mitic, CEO of an Identity Theft Protection service, says it quite well: the “credit bureaus are at the center of our credit-eco system in the U.S. And it’s hard to think about a set of companies that are more instrumental in the life that we live”.
What is a Credit Report?
A credit report is basically a file that a Credit Reporting Agency (CRA) keeps on you. Despite what many people think, your credit score does not say whether you have “good credit” or “bad credit” and if you are a risk. That determination is made by the lenders. All a CRA does is collect the information and then sell it. The information on your credit report is an important factor, but may not be the only one that determines whether the loan is made.
Another misconception is that your credit report is a “credit score” (you’ve probably heard of FICO). The credit score is a tool that lenders used based on a special formula that does use the information in your credit report, but the score itself is not part of the report.
Who can access your Credit Report?
Who can see your credit report is outlined by the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Anyone who accesses it must have a “permissable reason” to do so. The groups that can see it are:
Potential Lenders – Credit card companies, mortgage lenders, landlords, and other lenders are the most common. Whenever they request to see your report, a note of that becomes actually part of the report (called a “hard inquiry”). More on that later. Potential employers – A special (less detailed) version of your report. They must have written permission to do so. All they are able to see is how you make payments and handle debt, which (theoretically in their mind) shows your trustworthiness. This is a “soft inquiry” which does not show up on your report. Pre-approved credit card offerers – They can not actually see your credit report (thankfully), but they can pull a specially screened list to see if you qualify. This is also a “soft inquiry” which does not appear on your report. You – Obviously, you are able to see your own report.
What is on a Credit Report?
Credit history – Bill paying history (late payments etc.), balances, credit limits, open or closed accounts Personal information- Name, address history, work history, social security number Public information – Information from public records such as bankruptcies, court orders, tax liens, etc. Inquiries – Any company who has done a “hard inquiry” shows up. This is why you want to be careful in how many credit cards you sign up for or loans you request, because every time a company runs a credit check, that becomes part of your report (whether you take the loan or not). Disputes – If there is a dispute over something on a report, both your statements and the lender’s will be noted.
What do creditors look for?
Potential lenders make the decision whether or not to extend credit based on the contents of the report. Here are some of the things that they look for:
Missed payments – Payment history is a large factor. If you have a bunch of missed or late payments, lenders would be less inclined to take a risk of the same thing happening to them
Anyone who has ever applied for any type of credit like a credit card, a mortgage, or even a cell phone has likely had their credit report checked. If the report says that you are late paying bills or have a ton of debt, you could have to pay a higher interest rate or even get turned down altogether.
Scott Mitic, CEO of an Identity Theft Protection service, says it quite well: the “credit bureaus are at the center of our credit-eco system in the U.S. And it’s hard to think about a set of companies that are more instrumental in the life that we live”.
What is a Credit Report?
A credit report is basically a file that a Credit Reporting Agency (CRA) keeps on you. Despite what many people think, your credit score does not say whether you have “good credit” or “bad credit” and if you are a risk. That determination is made by the lenders. All a CRA does is collect the information and then sell it. The information on your credit report is an important factor, but may not be the only one that determines whether the loan is made.
Another misconception is that your credit report is a “credit score” (you’ve probably heard of FICO). The credit score is a tool that lenders used based on a special formula that does use the information in your credit report, but the score itself is not part of the report.
Who can access your Credit Report?
Who can see your credit report is outlined by the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Anyone who accesses it must have a “permissable reason” to do so. The groups that can see it are:
Potential Lenders – Credit card companies, mortgage lenders, landlords, and other lenders are the most common. Whenever they request to see your report, a note of that becomes actually part of the report (called a “hard inquiry”). More on that later. Potential employers – A special (less detailed) version of your report. They must have written permission to do so. All they are able to see is how you make payments and handle debt, which (theoretically in their mind) shows your trustworthiness. This is a “soft inquiry” which does not show up on your report. Pre-approved credit card offerers – They can not actually see your credit report (thankfully), but they can pull a specially screened list to see if you qualify. This is also a “soft inquiry” which does not appear on your report. You – Obviously, you are able to see your own report.
What is on a Credit Report?
Credit history – Bill paying history (late payments etc.), balances, credit limits, open or closed accounts Personal information- Name, address history, work history, social security number Public information – Information from public records such as bankruptcies, court orders, tax liens, etc. Inquiries – Any company who has done a “hard inquiry” shows up. This is why you want to be careful in how many credit cards you sign up for or loans you request, because every time a company runs a credit check, that becomes part of your report (whether you take the loan or not). Disputes – If there is a dispute over something on a report, both your statements and the lender’s will be noted.
What do creditors look for?
Potential lenders make the decision whether or not to extend credit based on the contents of the report. Here are some of the things that they look for:
Missed payments – Payment history is a large factor. If you have a bunch of missed or late payments, lenders would be less inclined to take a risk of the same thing happening to them
Debt/Income ratio – Lenders want to make sure that you have enough income to handle debt payments
Inquiries – As mentioned, whenever a lender checks your credit using a “hard inquiry” a note is made on your report. If a potential lender sees a lot of hard inquiries over a relatively short period of time, they get concerned that you might be racking up the debt
Open accounts – If you have a bunch of credit cards or loans, even if you don’t use them all, lenders are concerned. They want to make sure that if you were to borrow all the amount that you theoretically could, you would still be able to handle it
Maxed-out credit – Do you typically max out your credit cards or lines of credit? That is a signal to lenders that you need to rely on credit to make ends meet
What do you do if you see errors?
According to the Public Interest Research Group, 79% of credit reports have errors, and 25% have errors significant enough to make lenders refuse credit.
It’s recommended that you check your credit report at least on a yearly basis. If you find a mistake, it can be a long and arduous process to fix it, but it’s important that you do. To correct the error:
Collect and prepare as much documentation as you can to support the correction Contact the relevant credit bureau, explaining what the error is. I recommend doing this via registered letter and including copies of all the documentation just to save back and forth later. Send a similar letter to the creditor as they will need to be involved sooner or later
Remember that neither the CRA nor the creditor have any vested interest in correcting the report, so expect some frustration when going through this process. Make sure you make note of every interaction with them and record dates, times, and who you talked to.
Legally, the CRA has 30 days to investigate your claim, so keep on them and be persistent.
Your credit report is one of the most important files in your life, and no one has motivation to make sure it is accurate but you. The more you know about it, the more power you have.
Theodore