Who knows how to self report to credit bureaus?

In order to report to the credit bureaus, a business must first qualify as a data furnisher. Depending on the credit bureau, the business may need a minimum number of customer accounts in order to achieve data furnisher status. For example, TransUnion requires a business to have at least 100 customer accounts. So, a local credit union, for instance, would need at least 100 customers with credit accounts to become a data furnisher with TransUnion.

The process of becoming a data furnisher also requires meeting minimum standards set forth by the Fair Credit Reporting Act, including making regular data uploads and meeting certain technological requirements. The business must become a paying customer of one of the three major credit bureaus, too.

You can contact each credit bureau’s sales department for more information regarding your specific situation.

Experian

1-800-831-5614

Equifax

1-800-879-1025

TransUnion

1-800-813-5604

Ultimately, it may be worthwhile to become a data furnisher if your business regularly provides credit to customers. But the cost of becoming a data furnisher could be prohibitive if you just want to report a small number of customers who are delinquent on payment. In that case, you would be better off turning the accounts over to collections.

You can legally turn a customer account over to collections once the account is 31 days past-due. Once you select a collection agency to take over your customer debt, you will agree on payment for their services, which is usually charged as a percentage of your customers’ debt. After the collection agency takes responsibility for the account, you will write off the account as a bad debt expense.

You cannot self-report your financial information to credit bureaus as an individual, but there are services that can help you relay information about certain types of bill payments to your credit reports. Third-party companies are able to push things like rental payments, utility or telecom bill payments, and even bank account information to your credit report.

Including payment history that would not ordinarily make its way to your credit reports could have a positive impact on your credit score. Certain credit score algorithms will include this information once it’s reported, like FICO Score 8 or any VantageScore model, but not all of the different score calculations or lenders will necessarily include the self-reported data.

Services that help you self-report to credit bureaus:

Experian Boost connects to your checking account and adds information about on-time utility, phone, and internet service payments made from that account to your Experian credit report. Certain credit score models, like the FICO Score 8, take that into account when calculated using data from Experian credit reports.

UltraFICO is a pilot program that links to your bank account and incorporates information about your balances and transactions into your FICO score. Only certain lenders currently have access to the UltraFICO program.

eCredable Lift links to your utility accounts and automatically reports payments to TransUnion credit reports.

Both RentTrack and PayYourRent report rental payments to all three major credit bureaus, but may not be compatible with all types of rental situations or property managers. There are lots of other rental reporting programs, too, from CreditMyRent to Rent Reporters.

Alternative credit reports that include more payment types:

PRBC (Payment Reporting Builds Credit) is a company that offers an alternative to traditional credit reporting and scoring methods by including common types of bill payments like insurance, subscriptions, utilities and more in its calculations. Creditors are legally obligated to take PRBC credit report data into account due to the Equal Credit Opportunity Act. This does not mean that they need to give it much weight or use it instead of a traditional credit report, however.

Pros & cons of self-reporting services:

Self-reporting alternatives:

Self-reporting can only do so much to your credit score. There are several other ways to build or enhance your credit beyond expanding what data is collected. Secured credit cards offer a path to begin building credit from scratch or rebuilding damaged credit. You could also be added as an authorized user on a trusted family member’s credit card account, which would help you build credit as long as they make on-time bill payments.

Credit-builder loans are another option. They’re like reverse loans, where you pay the lender each month, showcasing your ability to make regular on-time payments, before you ultimately get the money back. Self credit-builder loans are one notable example. Self even allows you to easily open a secured credit card account at the end using the funds you’ve deposited for the loan.

Checking your credit report can also provide context on what to act on. WalletHub offers free credit reports and credit scores, along with personalized suggestions on what to do to improve your credit standing, how much your score could increase, and how long it will take.

See https://www.creditpop.com -- but there is a subscription fee.