There was once a time when the credit bureaus were a local business and even had a local office in most communities.

Times have changed.

The credit bureaus are now, for the most part, consolidated into 3 major entities. We know them as Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.

Huge corporations. With enormous power and influence. Yet, they have managed to operate in relative obscurity for decades. Only recently have they been exposed to the light of scrutiny.

While time has changed the face of this industry, there are some basic elements that have never changed.

The following is the true account of a visit to one of the credit bureaus. I encourage you to read it through to the end as there are some crucial elements in this account that you need to know if you want any chance at dealing with the credit bureaus.

This is a true story – it took place many years ago, but it’s still relevant today.

*****

Having been denied credit by a local merchant, I was informed that it was due to a bad report from the “credit bureau.” That’s it.

Nothing further. Not even a phone number or an address of this mystical place.

My initial challenge was to first locate this temple of secrecy. And that proved to be a real quest. With no listings in the phone book for “credit bureaus,” it appeared that my search would come to a quick end.

Grumbling about the situation with a friend (who was also a local merchant), he told me that the “credit bureau” didn’t exist. It went by a different name altogether.

Swearing me to secrecy, he was enough of a friend to share that “insider” information with me. I don’t recall the exact name, but it was something on the order of “The Hightower Consumer Information Reports Agency” or some similar claptrap.

Finding them in the phone book, I was struck by the fact that there was no address listed. Just a phone number. So, I called them up. No – they wouldn’t discuss ANYTHING with me.

I was informed that if I wanted, I could make an appointment to come into their office and discuss the “matter.”

I want you to understand that this was a small community that I lived in (population of less than 10,000) and I knew my way around pretty well. The directions to their office were questionable – just enough information to make you drive in circles.

With persistence, I was finally able to narrow down the possible locations to two adjacent offices. Neither had a street-front or a street-level entrance.

No – they were located off what can only be described as an alley-way and neither had ANY identifying marks of any kind. Not even a street number.

Arriving early for my appointment, I went into the first office. SUCCESS! I had found it!

I was greeted by an old woman with a scowl on her face. She didn’t say a word. She just sat there and glared at me.

So I introduced myself and informed her that I had an appointment. I was informed, tersely and rudely, that the ONLY individual that I might speak with had decided to take the day off and there was no one else that could help.

No – I could NOT make another appointment. Call back – maybe tomorrow.

After about a dozen calls, I finally was able to get another appointment. It was starting to dawn on me – in a rather uneasy way – not only did these people not want to be found, they didn’t want ANYTHING to do with a consumer. The only real joy they had was in other people’s misery.

As I entered their office for my next appointment, I encountered the same greeting. The old woman reluctantly got up and went into the back of the office. Some 10 minutes later, she reappeared. She didn’t say a word.

After another 20 minutes or so of waiting, another old woman, just as sour and mean-spirited in temperament as the first, appeared in the doorway leading to the back. She barked a single command – “COME HERE!”

We entered into a room filled with file cabinets and dim lighting. I felt as though I had just stepped into a Dickens novel. After being seated at a huge wooden table, she asked the nature of my business.

So I explained. She demanded my full name, date of birth, social security number and current address. Then she disappeared into the files.

She re-appeared carrying a couple of hand-written 4 x 6 index cards. Seating herself across from me, she announced that yes, there were DEROGATORY items in my credit file.

She was obviously quite pleased and smug with this pronouncement.

Surprised, I asked what they were.

Silence.

I then advised her that I had never had ANY bad accounts with anyone. She just glared back at me.

I asked if I might look over the records to determine the nature of the bad report. I was informed that there was NO WAY that I would EVER be allowed to view their “confidential” records.

It took a great deal of coaxing to get her to share anything that was in my file. She guarded those cards like Fort Knox.

It was only when I suggested that I may be able to PROVE my case if she would just let me know the nature of the derogatory items that she finally relinquished. It seems I had been late in paying the bill at a local tire store.

Not so, said I. That must be a mistake. I had paid the bill before it was due.

Not according to her records – and her records were always accurate.

Well now. Just what did she need to change those records?

Proof. In writing. So I told her I would bring the proof.

When I returned, she took my receipts into that back room again. I could hear her talking on the phone with the tire store. “This man CLAIMS that he paid you on time. He even has a receipt with him, but I SUSPECT that it’s a FORGERY.” (Her emphasis – not mine)

And then, I heard the magic words – “Oh, REALLY? Well, you know that it’s up to YOU to keep these things straight.” Bang! – she slammed the phone down.

She then re-appeared and announced, in a tight-lipped voice – “Well, it looks like you’re right. The tire store gave us mistaken information. I’ll update your record.”

It had only taken me some 3 months to remove an incorrectly reported $200 delinquency.

*****

So how does all this relate to today, you ask. After all, times have changed. Right? Right?

Today we have automated reporting, super computers and databases.

Your assumption would be only partially correct. Yes, the times have changed. But some things haven’t.

The difference between then and now is this-

• Yes – today we do, in fact have automated reporting, super computers, databases and massive data centers to manage records.

However, some things never change -

• Today, the credit bureaus still don’t want you to find them and they still don’t want anything to do with consumers. The ONLY reason you can even get copies of your credit file is because congress made it a law.

• Today, those very same mean, bitter, distrustful old women are still in charge. They still take even greater joy in your misery.

• Today, those very same mean, bitter, distrustful old women stand as self-appointed guardians over the automated reporting, super computers and databases.

And, I suspect, a really big room full of index cards.