[.ca] Credit Scores & Credit Reports (ISBN 0964548631)

find out the scarey truth from an expert:
Evan Hendricks is one of the world's leading experts on privacy. In his new book he delves into the frightening world of credit reports, showing how your financial history is misreported and used against you. If you've ever wondered why your credit isn't as good as it should be, or what is happening behind the scenes in the world of credit this book is a must read. Hendricks has been editing Privacy Times since the early 80s. He writes well and he really knows his stuff!

Practical, comprehensive, useful:
I thought I had a pretty good idea what a credit score was, how it worked, and how to get mine. I was wrong. I had no idea how complicated the process was, how many different variables entered into it, and how easily I could do damage to myself. I understood that I had a right to a free credit report. I had no idea how deeply the "free" option was buried, how much digging had to be done to find it, and how limited the information would be--all in an effort to drive me to the paid options. Thanks to this book, I now know, step by step, how to get the information I need, and know which options are free, which cost money, and when I need each one. While I've been fortunate enough not to be hit with identity theft, I know people who've had to cope with it. I'm relieved that I now own a complete resource on how to deal with it. I know how to challenge errors in my credit report. I hope I won't ever need to use a lot of what this book provides me, but I'm sure glad I have a copy on my shelf. I'm also glad to have read the reports on the insurance industry, the use of credit in discriminatory practices, opting out of having personal data shared, and other issues. Coming from the editor and publisher of PRIVACY TIMES, the information is timely, insightful, and important. If you've got any serious credit history, privacy concerns, an intent to make a major purchase, or feel vulnerable to identity theft, you'll value having this book in your library.

Excellent, unique:
Having written about credit for fifteen years myself (I am the author of The Ultimate Credit Handbook), I know a lot about credit reports and scores. But I learned even more from this book. Hendricks brings a very unique perspective to the topic of credit scores because of his years of experience as a privacy advocate. I found his references to court cases and the testimony of credit reporting agency executives eye opening. The chapter that explains how lenders often get different reports than consumers, and the subject of "cloaking" was alarming. If you really want to understand how credit reports and scores work -- from what I would say is an insider's perspective -- I'd recommend this book highly.

Boring:
there are a few good chapters. and there are several chapters that are just plain wrong. this text is not for the faint at heart. i do however appreciate certain aspects of this book.