American First Finance Credit Bureau Reporting Explained

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American First Finance is a non-prime lender that offers financing options to individuals with less-than-perfect credit. They report payments to the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.

Reporting to credit bureaus can either positively or negatively impact your credit score, depending on your payment history. If you make timely payments, you can see an improvement in your credit score.

American First Finance reports payments to credit bureaus after the first payment has been made. This means that your payment history with them will start to be reflected in your credit report.

By reporting payments to credit bureaus, American First Finance helps you build credit over time.

What Are Credit Bureaus?

Credit bureaus play a crucial role in our financial lives, and understanding what they do is essential. They collect and maintain information about our credit history, which is used to determine our creditworthiness.

There are three major credit bureaus in the US: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. They gather data from various sources, including lenders, creditors, and public records.

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Credit bureaus use this information to create credit reports, which provide a snapshot of our credit history. These reports are used by lenders to make informed decisions about creditworthiness.

The information in our credit reports is used to calculate our credit scores, which can significantly impact our ability to obtain credit. A good credit score can help us qualify for better interest rates and loan terms.

Credit bureaus are not the same as credit reporting agencies, although the terms are often used interchangeably. Credit bureaus are the ones responsible for collecting and maintaining the data, while credit reporting agencies are the companies that sell access to that data.

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Reporting to Credit Bureaus

American First Finance reports to all three major credit bureaus: Transunion, Equifax, and Experian. They report information about the account, such as the balance and whether you have paid on time, on a monthly basis.

You can expect to see your American First Finance account reflected on your three major credit reports around a month after you open the account. However, this may take approximately 45 days to reflect on your credit report, as they report all payment history details to select credit reporting agencies no less than once per month.

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American First Finance reports to all three major credit bureaus, but they also report to other credit bureaus, including Data X, Ltd. and Clarity Services, Inc. This means that your account information will be visible on multiple credit reports.

If you believe the credit bureaus have incorrect information, updates should be submitted to each credit bureau, contacting them either via their website or consumer phone line. Alternatively, you may report incorrect information with American First Finance either verbally, by calling their customer service team, or in writing to the address on their Contact Us page.

American First Finance reports accounts accurately and according to regulatory requirements. The information they report is required to be complete and accurate, and they will not modify accurate credit reporting as a courtesy.

Dispute Resolution

You can dispute incorrect information on your credit report through American First Finance (AFF) or directly with the credit bureaus.

To dispute with AFF, you can call their customer service team or submit a written notice to the address on their Contact Us page. Be sure to include the specific information you're disputing, the basis for the dispute, and any supporting documentation.

Credit: youtube.com, Important Changes To Credit Report Dispute Process – Credit Card Insider

If you prefer to dispute directly with the credit bureaus, you can visit their website or call them directly to file your dispute online. You'll need to clearly identify each item in question, state the facts, and explain why you're disputing the information.

Here's a list of steps to follow when disputing directly with the credit bureaus:

  • Clearly identify each item in your report you dispute.
  • State the facts and explain why you dispute the information.
  • Request deletion or correction.

You can also submit a credit dispute to AFF by mail, but be sure to include the specific information being disputed, the basis for the dispute, and any supporting documentation. AFF will review your matter within 30 days and notify you of the result.

Confirming Dispute Resolution

You can expect a response from the credit reporting agency with the results of the dispute if you dispute directly with them. This response will confirm whether your dispute was resolved in your favor or not.

If you dispute directly with American First Finance, you will be sent a written response with the results of the investigation within 30 days. This written response is a crucial step in confirming that your dispute has been resolved.

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You can confirm that your dispute is resolved by checking your credit report to see if the disputed information has been updated. If the information has been corrected, it's likely that your dispute was resolved successfully.

American First Finance reports to the credit bureaus for most accounts, but there are some exceptions. For example, new lease-to-own accounts opened on or after January 1st, 2024, will not be reported to the credit bureaus.

Correcting Incorrect Information

If you believe the credit bureaus have incorrect information, updates should be submitted to each credit bureau, contacting them either via their website or consumer phone line. You can also report incorrect information with American First Finance, either verbally by calling their customer service team or in writing to the address on their Contact Us page.

To correct incorrect information, you'll need to clearly identify each item in your report that you dispute, state the facts and explain why you dispute the information, and request deletion or correction. This can be done online through credit reporting agencies like TransUnion.

Credit: youtube.com, Credit Repair Course: How to Dispute Errors on Your Credit Report (Lesson 7)

You may also submit a credit dispute directly to American First Finance by mail if you believe they have reported incomplete or inaccurate information. In this case, include the specific information being disputed, an explanation of the basis for the dispute, and any supporting documentation to substantiate the basis of the dispute.

The credit bureaus require that updates be submitted in writing, but you can contact American First Finance verbally or in writing to report incorrect information. They will review your matter within 30 days and notify you of the result of the investigation.

Here's a step-by-step guide to reporting incorrect information:

  • Clearly identify each item in your report that you dispute.
  • State the facts and explain why you dispute the information.
  • Request deletion or correction.
  • Include all supporting documentation to substantiate the basis of the dispute.

You can submit a notice to American First Finance at the following address:

American First Finance

P.O. Box 565848

Dallas, Texas 75356

Remember to include all the necessary information and supporting documentation to ensure a thorough investigation.

Q&A

American First Finance reports accounts accurately and according to regulatory requirements. They send a range of account information, including account balance, scheduled payment, payment history, and account status.

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You can rest assured that American First Finance won't modify accurate credit reporting as a courtesy. This means they'll report accounts that are paid off in full as 'closed/paid in full'.

For example, an installment loan is considered 'closed' when repaid in full. This is a requirement, not a choice.

American First Finance is required to report accounts that are paid off in full as 'closed/paid in full'.

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Reviews

Reviews are a crucial aspect of dispute resolution, and in this case, American First Finance has a significant number of reviews from reputable sources.

The company has a WalletHub rating that is comprised of reviews from both WalletHub users and ratings on other websites, totaling 2,120 reviews.

These reviews can provide valuable insights into the company's dispute resolution process, helping you make an informed decision about whether to do business with them.

The rating was last updated on 01/11/2025, so you can consider this information when evaluating the company's current practices.

Checking Your Credit Report

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American First Finance views your history of credit, other accounts, and credit score with a consumer reporting agency, also known as a credit bureau, as part of their decision-making process.

They check your credit report, which includes your credit history, accounts, and credit score, to make informed decisions about your applications. This is known as a typical credit check.

American First Finance may check your credit using a hard credit inquiry, which can influence your credit score, but only if you haven't applied within the past 30 days.

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How Do I Get a Copy of My?

You're entitled to a free credit report every 12 months from each of the three major consumer reporting companies: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.

To request a free credit report, you can visit AnnualCreditReport.com online, call (877) 322-8228, or mail in a completed form.

You can download and complete the Annual Credit Report Request form on the AnnualCreditReport.com website, and then mail it to Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281.

There are three ways to get a copy of your credit report: online, by phone, or by mail.

What Is a Check?

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A credit check is when American First Finance or another company views your history of credit, other accounts, and credit score with a consumer reporting agency, also known as a credit bureau.

This is typically done to assess your creditworthiness and determine the likelihood of repaying a loan or credit obligation.

Check

American First Finance checks credit, but they also consider other factors like payment history and other attributes. This means they're not just looking at your credit score, but also how you've managed your debts and payments in the past.

A credit check is like a snapshot of your entire credit history. It includes your credit score, other accounts, and how you've used credit in the past.

American First Finance may do a hard credit inquiry when you apply for a product, which can temporarily lower your credit score. This is because a hard inquiry shows up on your credit report and is considered a sign of potential risk.

If you've already applied through American First Finance within the past 30 days, they won't do another credit check. This gives you a chance to review and improve your application before they consider it again.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I don't pay American First Finance?

Late or missed payments may negatively affect your credit report. If you're having trouble paying, review our payment options and contact us to discuss a potential solution

Aaron Osinski

Writer

Aaron Osinski is a versatile writer with a passion for crafting engaging content across various topics. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for storytelling, he has established himself as a reliable voice in the online publishing world. Aaron's areas of expertise include financial journalism, with a focus on personal finance and consumer advocacy.

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