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One thing you should know by now about credit: your past always comes back to haunt you. This is especially true for old addresses. In the best case scenario, an old address on your credit report is found in your “Previous Addresses” section and is simply on file for the record. In the worst case scenario, an unfamiliar address or an old address that still shows activity is indicative of identity theft. Read on to learn when an address on your credit report is a red flag and how to take care of it.
No Flag – Previous Addresses with accurate reporting dates.
Credit reporting agencies keep a record of your previous addresses on file for identification purposes. When you request your credit report, they will ask you to enter your current addresses as well as any addresses at which you have lived in the past two years. Depending on the bureau, your previous addresses will appear on your report as well with a “Date Reported” field. For example, on your TransUnion report, you’ll see a “Current Address” column and a “Previous Addresses” column. Verify two things when reviewing this information:
For more information on identity theft, check out our own guide to The Aftermath from our three part series on Identity Theft.
As you can see, keeping tabs on how credit card issuers and credit reporting agencies keep tabs on your addresses can save you from a lot of legwork and paperwork down the road. Pay close attention to all the items on your credit report and take immediate action on any suspicious or outdated information.