I'm on hold with Equifax right this very minute. I'm being forced to call them because my current address (Sedona, AZ) doesn't match the address on my credit report (Oakland, CA) and it's holding up my car loan application. It took me a half hour to find a number I could call to talk to a human, and then it wasn't someone in customer service, it was someone in sales. They are trying to be helpful, I suppose, but they are telling me that I have to mail in any change of address with an accompanying drivers license or utility bill reflecting the change. Of course, I have neither of these. Then I calmly explained to them that they are holding me hostage by the process at which point I was put on hold.

The woman just came back online to explain that she's terribly sorry, but I would have to send in my change of address by snail mail. I asked to speak to her supervisor. On hold again. Listening to Mozart. Lovely.

Now she comes back on the line saying all supervisors are busy and she can take my contact info and call me back. Bullshit. I tell her I'll hold. I know they'll never call me back.

What is it with these credit reporting companies? So secretive. Horrible customer service. How do they even get information about us? They are like a clandestine intelligence apparatus with the keys to our future. I haven't even seen my credit report, but I'm sure it's fraught with errors. I do know that my FICO score is 797. That should grant me some measure of respect, but somehow I doubt it.

I found a little blurb online about credit scores and how they work:

The numerical credit scoring ranges from a low of 350 to high of 845. Fair Issac is the one’s who designed the scale. The score takes into consideration the borrowers re-payment history, amount of credit allowed, the highest balance, borrowing patterns, over limits, etc.

Unfortunately, the same effect takes place when "XYZ" credit card company inquires on your credit to up your line of credit, or to give you a new credit card, The same thing takes place on acquiring a mortgage!

It's amazing to me that your score actually goes down when someone inquires as to your credit. What sense does that make? So I become less credit worthy the minute I apply for a loan and actually need to use my credit. How absurd.

I'm still on hold waiiting for a supervisor. I have no faith that what seems to me to be a something simple will ever be resolved. This is kind of that makes me want to find a good lawyer and fuck these people up, though I suspect they are invulnerable.

All I want to do is change my address. I can't. I'm entitled to a free credit report, but it's being sent to my old address. How stupid is that? Good thing they don't have my Peace Corps address in Samoa or I'd reallly be screwed.