Frequently asked questions About credit reports and credit bureaus Which bureau is the best? Should I join more than one? Can I get a credit report over the Internet? How I can get a credit report on an individual? How can I report a debt which has not been paid? How can we get a company's credit report? Can you provide help reading the report? Can I sell credit reports as a business? What does the model Experian/Fair, Isaac Score 485 mean? About CREDITbase What is CREDITbase? Is CREDITbase Y2K Compliant? Do you have a network version? Does it work with Modem Pools? Does it work on Apple Macintosh? How much do you charge per report? Does your company offer RMCR's? Does it link to Calyx POINT loan software? About Ordering CREDITbase What forms of payment do you accept? What if I need more than one copy? Can we download it from the Internet? Is the software cost the only charge I will pay? Must we join all 3 bureaus for the Tri-bureau edition? Do you provide a tri-merged report? What is the cost of each credit report pulled? Do you offer it on CD's or floppies? Do you have a trial version?

About credit reports and credit bureaus

Which bureau is the best?

The three major credit repositories are Experian, Equifax, and Trans Union. (TRW's credit division is now the separate company, known as Experian.)  They each have massive databases, and most individuals in the United States who have had credit transactions will be listed on each.

The layout of credit reports is different for each bureau, so if you prefer one bureau's format, you may prefer that bureau.  (Only with CREDITbase, this is not an issue -- You can get your data from any bureau, and display it in whichever bureau's format you prefer.)

The bureaus have special report products and risk scoring models for specific lines of business. They also have have different signup requirements and pricing may be different. The best way to determine which is best for you is to talk to them about your particular needs.  Click here for a form you can submit to request contact from any or all of the three bureaus.

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Should I join more than one?
The three major repositories don't share data with each other, and many companies, especially smaller ones, are just members of one bureau or another.  Though you are likely to find sufficient credit data on most anyone with one bureau, you may not find all of an individual's credit transactions or recent inquiries with one bureau.

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Can I get a credit report over the Internet?
The three major credit reporting companies are not yet using the Web for credit reports on individuals. Instead, they use private secure networks, which can be accessed via a local or toll free phone number, once you are a member.

If you just want a credit report on yourself, that can be done over the Internet. Several sites will take your information, then mail the report to you, but if you'd like to view and print your report instantly with your web browser, you can do so here.

If you are a business in the process of developing a Internet/intranet application for which credit scores or reports might be a desired component, let us know. Our custom application engineers may be able to help.

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How I can get a credit report on an individual?
For one-time or occasional need, you should probably try to find a local credit bureau. (Check your Yellow Pages under Credit Reporting Agencies.)

You will need to have a permissible purpose. If you have a specialized need, such as tenant screening, employment screening, collections, investigations, etc. you may have better luck looking up companies that do those specific things.

For an ongoing need, credit bureau membership with Experian, Equifax, or Trans Union will allow you to quickly and easily retrieve credit reports using our program, CREDITbase.  

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How can I report a debt which has not been paid?
For a one-time or occasional need, about the only way is through a court judgment against the individual. Experian, Equifax, and Trans Union show public records on their credit reports, so a court judgment is likely to be shown.

Otherwise, if you are operating a business, you will need to be a member of one of the credit bureaus, and you can make reports to them for all your accounts via forms that they can provide.

If you are a member of Experian, CREDITbase allows the reporting of derogatory account status information through the instant update feature.

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How can we get a company's credit report?
We are not involved in business credit reports. Contact Experian's business credit report division, Dunn & Bradstreet or one of the other companies offering that service.

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Can you provide help reading the report?
If you are using CREDITbase, you can click the Help button. There is a section on interpreting the reports. For additional information, contact customer service for the bureau you are using.

You might also consider using our easier-to-read QuikScan style reports, or printing your reports in the format of another bureau. These capabilities are only available in CREDITbase.

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Can I sell credit reports as a business?
When you talk to Equifax, Experian, and/or Trans Union you will need to tell them that you intend to be a reseller of credit reports. There may be additional requirements in order to qualify for this.

CREDITbase is especially attractive to resellers, because it allows reports to be printed in styles different from the repository's normal layout.

As a reseller, you need to indicate the end user of each report you request. CREDITbase allows you to do this.

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What does the model Experian/Fair, Isaac Score 485 mean?
You will need to get that information from Experian or Fair Isaac. More questions.

About CREDITbase

What is CREDITbase?
CREDITbase is credit retrieval software. It is a computer program that allows your computer (using any version of Windows) to call and get credit reports directly from Equifax, Experian, and/or Trans Union, (depending on the version you buy.)

CREDITbase is a Windows-only program. We have standalone versions for Windows 3.1, 3.11, 95, 98, and NT.  We also have a network version that can be run on a Windows NT or Novell server having Windows NT, 95/98 or 3.x clients.

You must be a member (subscriber) of the bureau(s) you want to get reports from. They have a charge per report, and usually, a monthly minimum charge.

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Is CREDITbase Y2K Compliant?
Yes. All versions of CREDITbase since 2.03 are Year 2000 compliant according to  our tests using the bureau-provided test data.

Version 1.20 - 2.02 users who wish to do custom reporting with CREDITbase can apply the free update available here. If you do not wish to print the CREDITbase custom reports, you should check settings to verify data image is TTY (or DAT, if using Equifax.)

Customers are urged to verify that their computer hardware is Year 2000 ready.

Since CREDITbase relies on external data from the bureaus, it accuracy depends on the accuracy of bureau data, as well as the compliance of the computer hardware and operating system on which it runs.

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Do you have a network version?
Yes we do. Our network version is a true client-server multiuser implementation, in which the database, and the database engine resides on a Windows NT, Novell, Windows 98, or Windows 95 server.  The client workstations can operate concurrently.  Multiple passwords and user logins can be assigned, providing security and confidentiality of the credit reports that have been drawn.  A "give to user" feature allows passing a report from one user to another.

Depending on your needs, you may wish to consider a multi-unit site license instead of the network version. The only "advantage" of the network version is that the database is centralized (simplifying backup), and you can send reports (with attached "sticky" notes) from one user to another. Installation may also be quicker on the network because an image of the installation disks resides on the server, speeding up the process.

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Does it work with Modem Pools?
Customers report that CREDITbase works well with their modem pools, even after competing programs failed to work.

The essential requirement is that each work station appear to have a modem on a com port from 1 to 9, even though that modem might physically exist elsewhere on the network. If Windows can see your shared modem, it is likely that CREDITbase can too.

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Does it work on Apple Macintosh?
We do not support CREDITbase on Apple platforms, but users have reported that it works with the proper software for emulating a Windows PC.

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How much do you charge per report?
Actually, our company simply supplies the computer program that allows your computer to call and get reports from Experian, Equifax, and/or Trans Union. They set the prices for credit reports and other products.

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Does your company offer RMCR's?
No. We provide software that allows your computer to call Experian, Equifax, and or Trans Union to get credit reports. We do not merge the reports, and we do not provide access to services that provide merged reports or RMCRs.

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Does it link to Calyx POINT loan software?
Yes. Calyx software is able to launch the Tri-bureau version of CREDITbase to get a credit report, then it can import the liabilities to the loan app, as well as the point score into the Calyx files.  Please ask for our Calyx POINT interface kit. No charge!

Note that our software does not merge reports from different bureaus into one report. You need to be a member of each bureau from which you'll be drawing reports, and if you request the report from 3 bureaus, you get 3 reports.

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About Ordering CREDITbase

What forms of payment do you accept?
Check, money order, Master Card, Visa, or American Express. You may also be able to get CREDITbase through your account with the credit bureau.

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What if I need more than one copy?
Like most commercial software, you are required to have a licensed copy for each computer on which CREDITbase is installed. We have site-license pricing for companies needing more than one copy.

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Can we download it from the Internet?
The CREDITbase Trial Edition is available for free Internet download by qualified business, government, and financial institutions. An account with Experian, Equifax, or Trans Union (and its login security codes) is required in order to activate the corresponding single-bureau edition with all features for a 30-day test-run demo prior to purchase. Note: This download will not work for individuals wishing to obtain their own personal credit reports. Click here for the download page.

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Is the software cost the only charge I will pay?
Other than tax (if you are in California) and shipping, there is no other required cost or license fee from us. You'll simply pay the bureau (Experian, Equifax or Trans Union) for the reports you request, and any other fees they may have.

Maintenance updates are free upon need and upon request. (A nominal shipping and media charge may apply.)  Upgrades to new versions with new features may be offered from time to time at attractive prices.

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Must we join all 3 bureaus for the Tri-bureau edition?
Tri-bureau version can be used with one, two, or all three of the bureaus. You'll need to be a member of just those bureaus from which you want to get reports.

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Do you provide a tri-merged report?
No. Our tri-bureau version provides separate reports from the bureaus you select, and you need to be a member of those bureaus.

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What is the cost of each credit report pulled?
The costs are set by the individual bureaus, and it may depend on which optional features you request, as well as your monthly volume. Click here for a form you can submit to request contact from any or all of the three bureaus.

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Do you offer it on CD's or floppies?
CREDITbase software is distributed on 3 1/2" floppies only.

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Do you have a trial version?
Our trial version is the full-featured package, but it will not allow you to draw any new credit reports 30 days after installation. To qualify, you must be a current subscriber to any of the three bureaus. The trial is sent only by regular mail, and without a manual. (Telephone support is provided.)

To get the trial version, please fax us this order form. Indicate which bureau. (Tri-bureau and network versions are not available as a trial.)  Cross out the price, tax, shipping and total area and write "30-day trial" on it.  Or, just call 626 963-8313.

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