Credit bureaus
I have filed and been discharged from bankruptcy twice. Once in 1996 and then again in 2003. Recently I pulled a bureau on myself from EQuifax and Trans-Union. Equifax only shows the most recent bankruptcy while Trans-Union shows both. When I requested my first bankruptcy be removed from my file (since it was well over the seven-year max) Trans-Union informed me it was the law that both had to stay on for 14 years. Are they correct? I can’t seem to find out if they are or aren’t. It was always my understanding the first would only stay on the bureau for seven years, but a second one would stay on for 14 years. In other words have I any right to demand that first bankruptcy be removed from my Trans-Union file?
I always suggest contacting both equifax and trans union just to ensure that everything is listed appropriately and I recommend doing this on an annual basis as the credit bureau often makes mistakes.
The credit bureaus are “for profit” corporations operated for the benefit of their members (the credit granting community). I suspect what you’ve encountered is a difference in “policies” at each of the bureaus. Equifax treats your situation one way, while Trans Union has a different policy.
If you beleive you are being treated unfairly then I suggest you follow the complaint procedures as outlined on each of the bureaus websites.
Good luck – having anything corrected on your credit bureau can be time consuming and frustrating.