Check Systems any info how to repair credit? Free credit Reports available w/ no strings attached?

I'm 24 now and when I was young and stupid I trusted my ex and we got a joint checking acct. Long story short. I was told by him that he closed the acct(when we we're 19) but actually he wrote a ton of bad checks but did pay the bank. But hey put us both on %26quot;check systems%26quot;. I found out after a year when I tried to get an acct at a diff bank, b/c he threw away my notification. I have no other outstanding debt. and I pay all my bills ontime! I paid off a car loan in half the time in the last two years but I did have a co-signer.

So how long am I gonna be stuck! Can I get any credit cards, if so which?

Is there a free no strings way of checking your credit score?

I am so frustrated w/ being unable to use a charge card in case of emergencies! I know I should have one to build credit too!Any advise appreciated greatly!

Check Systems any info how to repair credit? Free credit Reports available w/ no strings attached?

I'll answer your questions in reverse order. Yes, under the law you can request a free copy of your credit report from each of the 3 major credit bureaus (Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian) once each year. You can also request a copy of your consumer report from ChexSystems (free if you have been denied an account within the past 60 days, otherwise the cost is $8.00). I have included the links below.

Until you clear up the mess relating to the old bank account, you best bet will be a secured credit card. To obtain one, you will have to open a deposit account with the same bank that issues the card. The funds you deposit will be the basis for determining your credit limit (e.g., deposit $500, get a $500 credit limit). These funds will be held as security and unavailable for withdrawal for at least one year. If you maintain a good payment record during that time, the withdrawal restriction will be lifted and you will have established a good credit rating from the bank. To search for a secured card with good terms, check out Bankrate.com (link provided below). If you belong to a credit union, try there first, as they will probably have better interest rates. Also, you may want to try Bank of America, as they have a policy of disregarding ChexSystems entries that are more than 3 years old.

As for the situation with your ex and the old bank account, first get a copy of your ChexSystems consumer record. If the negative information is still there, then I would recommend obtaining copies of the account statements and bad checks from the bank. With proof in hand showing that you did not write the bad checks, try to negotiate with the bank to have them clear your name and credit. If this does not work, I would take the account statements and bad check copies to my local sheriff, district attorney, or county clerk and press charges against the ex for passing bad checks. Be sure to keep copies of everything for your own records! (NOTE: As it has been 5 years, you may be running up against a statute of limitations for filing suit in your state. However, ChexSystems entries are supposed to be removed after 5 years. If you know exactly when was the last activity on the old bank account, it is possible that the information has been, or is about to be removed from your ChexSystems consumer record.) Once you have a legal case file number, you can add an explanatory note, including the case file number, to your credit report at each of the credit bureaus and at ChexSystems. When the matter is finally resolved (ex is charged/convicted and/or is made to pay the amount of the bad checks), you should be able to have your credit report cleared and then you can have the explanatory note removed.

If all else fails, you might want to try PassChecking.com. They offer access to a list of banks that don't belong to the ChexSystems network and that will open an account for you right away. They also provide assistance in clearing/correcting your ChexSystems consumer report. The website ChexSystem Bites also maintains a directory of banks that do not use ChexSystems. (Links below)

I hope this helps. Good luck to you.

Check Systems any info how to repair credit? Free credit Reports available w/ no strings attached?

That's awful.

Go to www.annualcreditreport.com to obtain free credit reports. It is a law that the each of the three credit bureaus let you see your credit report once a year for free. I usually check one every 4 months, to make sure everything is good.

Check Systems any info how to repair credit? Free credit Reports available w/ no strings attached?

it should fall off the system in 2 years, if the dent has been paid you can contact the bank that reported you they should be able to give you something that t least shows it was paid. Also some banks will give you %26quot;scaled down%26quot; account so you can at least write checks and deposit your pay. Chexsystems does affect your FICO score it is only a interbank system

Check Systems any info how to repair credit? Free credit Reports available w/ no strings attached?

like everyone else says, go to www.annualcreditreport.com and check your credit score and what is on there. I have a friend in Virginia that specializes in educating people about their credit and the government. Shes retired from Experian and TransUnion and she taught me a lot. If thats the only outstanding debt on your credit, if it is listed as a charge-off or a write-off, then call the company that it is from and have it removed from your credit or otherwise it will continue to bring down your credit score 40-60points. If your debt is more than 25,000-50,000 then you need to get a report from TransUnion because they only give reports for things on your credit such as house mortgage and car payments.

To help repair your credit, go at least 6 months without applying for anything because the more you apply, it brings your score down 20 points. Do not have your credit report monitored by anyone. Check it at least 60 months because if you have it monitored, it goes down 40 points each time. As far as getting a credit card, try looking into getting a Secured credit card, like from BAnk of America or of that sort. A secured credit card is valued more than a regular credit card because you will be paying one set monthly bill instead of paying different amounts like with a regular credit card. It builds credit quicker.

I have the lady's card and her website is www.fmking.com. she can tell you a whole lot more as far as rebuilding your credit and what can lower your credit. I hope this very helpful to you.