How to Pull all Seven of your ACRs (credit Reports)
Here are detailed instructions on how to pull each of your (7) main credit reports:
The Big 3 (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion)
NOTE: These reports can sometimes be difficult to get, so follow the exact process outlined in each of the links above. The process is always the same:
1. First try getting the ACRs online (if they deny you, get screenshots).
2. If online doesn’t work, next try calling them (record the call and tell them at the beginning “please be aware I am recording this call”).
3. If calling them doesn’t work, you’ll have to send in a request via physical mail (also document that you did this in case they don’t send the reports a few weeks later).
If any of these reporting agencies gives you a summary online instead of a full report (they sometimes do this), send us the summary, and then complete the two remaining methods to try and get the full report (call, physical mail).
If they don’t give you the reports, when you submit your file, please include the documentation of you trying these methods to get them! This evidence will greatly increase the value of your case (we are talking an increased value of 5 figures!).
BOTTOM LINE: Try all three methods to get the credit reports. If after trying all methods, some of the CRAs are still are only giving a summary (or nothing at all), document all instances where you tried to get the reports and it failed (screenshots, screen-records, voice-recordings, etc.), as these are violations, and include them in your file submission.
Internal Team / CAP Partners: Be sure to save/upload this evidence and include in the Consumer notes section an explanation as to why those specific credit reports are missing. Only after trying to collect the reports using all three methods mentioned above (with evidence!) will we accept the consumer files.
Other difficulties: We are hearing of instances where CRAs are asking for the social security card to release credit reports. If that happens, please record that (screenshot) and put it in the file (even if you are able to provide the social security card). And please document any other instances where CRAs are making things unnecessarily difficult to release credit reports.
Common FAQ: Why so many rounds of credit reports during this process?
Swift Law North asks for a round of fresh credit reports several times throughout the litigation process. We are aware that this is an annoying process but it’s necessary and this is why: Credit Reporting Agencies don’t expect Consumers to have copies of their credit reports from different dates (so they change things carelessly) and so when we find differences between these reports (which we do a lot), the case value is strengthened significantly.