In today’s economy, ensuring that your credit record is protected is more valuable than ever.  Americans are taking out more money
than ever as they feel the crunch of a struggling market. Credit bureaus keep track of the payment records of every person issued credit.
This includes holders of credit cards, car loans, home loans, and sometimes apartment leases. Businesses use these records, which
are stored in national data bases, to determine whether you should be issued credit.
There are three major credit bureaus, Equifax (1-800-685-1111, http://www.equifax.com), Experian (1-888-397-3742, http://www.experian.com),
and Trans Union (1-800-916-8800, http://www.tuc.com). that keep track of your credit ratings.
You should keep track of the information they have and make sure it is accurate. You are entitled to receive one free credit report from
each of the reporting bureaus that can be obtained online (http://www.annualcreditreport.com) or through mailing in your request. If you request
a line of credit and are turned down, you can also get a free credit report if you request one within 60 days of being turned down.
So what do you do if you see something wrong on your credit report? The Fair Credit Reporting Act, a federal statute, provides consumers
protection from credit reporting agencies. Consumers have the right to request that inaccurate or incomplete information on a credit report
be changed. If this does not work, you have the right to request an investigation of the validity of the information. You should do so in writing. 
If you still get nowhere, you have the right to dispute the accuracy of the report by filing a written statement with the source of the
information (such as a bank or credit card company) and asking that the credit bureaus include this statement in your credit report.
If a credit bureau or source of information knowingly provides false or inaccurate information, you can sue for damages in state or
federal court. Also, if you are denied credit, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act requires creditors to explain why. If you have a complaint
with a creditor, you can write to: Consumer Response Center—FCRA, Federal Trade Commission, Washington, D.C. 20580.
Only you and your creditors and potential creditors are entitled to see the reports filed by the credit bureaus. Adverse credit information
cannot be retained on your record for more than seven years, with the following exceptions:  a bankruptcy will stay on your record for
up to 10 years, and lawsuits or judgments against you may be reported until the statute of limitations runs out.
However, there is no time limit for the reporting agencies to share this information with creditors in response to a job application with a
salary of $75,000 or more, or when you make an application for credit or life insurance of $150,000 or more.
If you do find negative remarks on your credit report and you are unable to show that it is inaccurate or false, the only way to “fix” your
credit is by developing good credit over time. If you have bad credit from an overdue account, for example, it will be wiped off your record
after seven years from the time you close the account and pay it off. Be wary of firms that promise to “fix” your credit. These are very often
scam companies that charge hundreds of dollars to do things you can do yourself for free.
If you have any further questions or concerns about your credit report, get a copy from all three agencies and an attorney can review your
options with you at your local Naval Legal Service Office. NLSO NW Legal Assistance offices are open Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.
by appointment, and on a walk-in basis every Wednesday from 8 to 11 a.m..  Locations are Naval Base Kitsap, Bangor, 1001 Tautog Circle
(Bldg. 1001), (360) 396-6003; Bremerton, 365 S. Barclay (Bldg. 433), (360) 476-4275; Naval Station Everett, 2000 West Marine View Dr.,
(425) 304-4551; and Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, 530 N. Langley Blvd (B/243), (360) 257-2126.