How to Obtain a Debtor's Credit Report

If someone owes you a debt, you may need to get a copy of her credit report to aid in collecting the past-due account. A credit report will provide information about her other debt obligations, whether or not she owns assets such as a house, and her current address and employment information. You can also determine whether she is in serious financial trouble and might be considering a bankruptcy case. However, due to privacy laws, getting a credit report on another person can be difficult.

Instructions

1

Review your records to see if you have a copy of a contract with the debtor's signature on it. This will make it easier when you approach the credit bureaus Equifax, Experian and TransUnion about getting a copy of that person's credit report.

2

Call each credit bureau and ask if you can join its business program, which would allow you to see other people's credit reports at a price of about $8 per file as of 2009. If you do not have a business, explain the debt to a customer service operator and see if you can still join the program. If you have documents proving your claim, this will be beneficial to your efforts to get the credit reports you need. You can call Equifax at (800) 685-1111, Experian at (888) 397-3742 and TransUnion at (800) 888-4213. Alternatively, you can write letters to each company explaining your request.

3

Call a collection agency if you are unable to join a credit bureau's business program. The collection agency can help you find the person who owes you money, but will want a percentage of whatever is collected on your behalf. Collection agencies, however, have the resources to immediately get a copy of the debtor's credit report.

4

Visit the U.S. Search website (see Resources section), and perform a general background check on the person who owes you money. You will not be able to get a credit report, but you can access address information, contact information for neighbors and relatives, whether she has a criminal history and whether she has been sued for other debts. This website charges about $30 for a basic search, which is payable by credit or debit card.