Data sharing you didn’t consent to 👀

Many people are unaware that credit bureaus and data aggregators like LexisNexis and SageStream play a significant role in the persistence of deleted accounts on your credit report. When you delete an account, it may seem gone temporarily, but these companies often continue to share your information, causing the account to reappear. This can be frustrating and damaging to your credit score. To effectively prevent this, it’s important to understand the function of these data brokers. LexisNexis and SageStream collect and distribute consumer data to various financial institutions and creditors. Even after you dispute or delete an account, if these brokers continue to feed your data, the information can re-enter your credit reports. A practical approach to halt this cycle is to initiate a data freeze with both LexisNexis and SageStream. A freeze restricts access to your credit information, preventing new inquiries and the sharing of your data without your consent. Unlike a credit freeze with the three major credit bureaus, freezing these data brokers requires separate requests but is equally crucial for protecting your credit profile. Keep in mind that freezing your data with LexisNexis and SageStream does not impact your credit score and can be lifted temporarily if you need to apply for new credit. Regularly monitoring your credit reports and disputing any inaccuracies promptly is also vital. In addition, stay informed about your data rights under laws like the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), which provides mechanisms to dispute incorrect information and limits how your data can be shared. Empowering yourself with knowledge and taking proactive measures like freezing data can significantly reduce the chances of deleted accounts creeping back and help maintain a healthy credit profile.