IN TODAY'S WORLD,
So no one should be surprised when he is asked to fill out a stack of forms and expected to provide virtually every shred of personal information.
Though we cannot be certain what a friend or neighbor might say about us during a personal interview, we can ensure that the information available
I learned about this potential dilemma from a friend of mine who, as a government contractor, was subject to a credit check. In checking his credit report, he found a great deal of erroneous information.
I would guess that the percentage of people who have recently checked their credit reports and made sure they contained accurate information is relatively small. For some reason, most people just assume that the clerks at Sears and GMAC have properly reported that they made their payments on time as agreed.
We also assume that someone has correctly tracked every employment and address change, as well as salary increases we have had.
But let me give you a hint: It probably hasn't happened that way. Try as they may, credit reporting companies do not always keep up with every change in our lives.
That is why it is critical that you make sure you stay on top of your own credit-report information.
As my friend found out in getting a clearance, even if you have never had any serious credit problems, having incorrect or missing information can be just as troublesome.
So what can you do to prevent this type of problem? The first thing is to request a free copy of your credit report from each reporting company. You are entitled to one free copy each year.
The credit reporting companies are Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. By the way, if you are looking for information that will help you understand your rights and what you need to do to get the information you need, try
According to the Federal Trade Commission, that site is the only authorized online source for free credit reports. Some other sites claim to offer free credit reports, but may charge you for another product if you accept a free report.
Your credit reports are a reflection of you, so make sure they paint an accurate picture of who you are to those who make decisions about your future. It is worth taking the time to get this one right.
Michael Kole of Spotsylvania County is a career federal employee. Write c/o Federal Feedback, The Free Lance-Star, 616 Amelia St., Fredericksburg, Va. 22401;