Consumer complaint received 2021-01-02
Company: BANK OF AMERICA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
State: MO
Product: Credit reporting, credit repair services, or other personal consumer reports
Sub-product: Credit reporting
Issue: Unable to get your credit report or credit score
Sub-issue: Other problem getting your report or credit score

Complaint:
I bought a house in my name through Bank of America in XXXX, and even refinanced in XXXX, adding a HELOC to the new mortgage to get a lower interest rate mortgage through Bank of America. I used the HELOC a few times during the period that refinanced mortgage was being paid off, yet there is only record of the credit card I had through Bank of America on my credit report ( showing closed but always paid on time ). There aren't any records of my first mortgage, my refinance, or my HELOC that would establish credit? No records of the hospital bills for me or my son that I have always paid on time and in FULL showing? No record at all over these past 25 years that I pay my bills on time? I should be afforded the same luxury of a favorable credit rating/score, along with access to lower interest rates and all other benefits that are available to any other consumer who has proven themselves financially responsible? 

All utilities at the house owned in my name, are also in my name, along with several vehicles, property taxes, insurance for myself, auto, home owner 's, etc, and are paid in full before the due dates. 

When I changed banks to XXXX a few years ago, ( approximately in XXXX ), I was told then that I didn't have a credit score. When the banker advised me that to get a credit rating established, I could open a small personal loan and repay it, and that when that loan was reported by the bank, it would establish credit history and a credit record for me. So, at that time, I did take out a {$1000.00} loan for the vehicle I was purchasing at the time, and paid the rest in cash. It was paid on time. 

I thought it was finally over. So, when that car was stolen and XXXX  to a XXXX  on the eve of XXXX XXXX, I bought a used car for cash to replace it. 

Imagine the state of my mind, when I found out by accident that I still have no credit score. When I inquired why the loan I had with XXXX, taken out ONLY for the explicit purpose of establishing the very thing, it isn't giving me a credit rating ( paid off in full on time, as all my bills are ), I was told that the bank must not have reported it. 

So, in XX/XX/XXXX, instead of paying cash for my current car ( like I wanted to and could have easily ), I made another installment loan to purchase a vehicle through a bank that the dealership obtained for me, so that once again, I might establish a credit rating. This current loan is at an outrageous 12.99 % because of my non-existent credit record/score. It was embarrassing and stressful when I was denied funding by two other banks that day because of not having a credit rating/score, when I could have, and wanted to, paid cash for the purchase price. 

How do I get a credit rating so I can stop paying these interest rates and establish a record for my future needs and retirement dreams? I have never been late on any payments, never not paid a hospital, doctor, lawyer, etc. or any other bill. I have a job, a checking account, paid off mortgage, paid personal property, real estate taxes, State , County, local and Federal income and all taxes for AT least thirty ( 30 ) years, the year I got my first mortgage, in XXXX, when I purchased my first home, yet I still don't have a credit score or FICO score? 

I have a checking account with money to pay the bills that are associated with my name and identifying information, along with a 6 digit savings account. 

Is the fact that I have never had any bills I pay need to come after me, or turn me over to collections, and/or reported as overdue or delinquent really a detriment to me? Is the fact that I only have a checking/debit and savings accounts, but not a credit card, leaving me out of getting a credit score? Do the monthly bills I pay for electricity, water, sewer, trash, cell service, satellite service, and even a monthly installment payment plan for an extravagantly priced cell phone all found and filed under my name and social security number -- that are sent to me at the address of the property I own in the same name, for years -- count for nothing? These aren't reported? Or are they reported only if you can't/don't/have n't paid them? Are credit ratings/reports only used to track negative items against a person? 

I'll be contacting the bank I've got my vehicle loan through and have been paying since XX/XX/XXXX ( extra principal and early via auto pay, as always ) and paying the remainder off in full, as when I went on the free credit report link from the FTC 's page tonight, I see that I still don't have any credit rating, nor a FICO score. 

Please help me understand what is happening. I don't know what to do and this is all very frustrating. I'm tired of paying erroneous interest on loans that I don't need in the first place, to try and establish credit, only to have it never show up. There has to be a record of my mortgage and other bills that have all been paid on time and I should have an excellent report and score. 

Also, of the little that did show up on my free annual credit report, it incorrectly lists both my older sister and my son as names of mine. These are incorrect and should never be used to obtain credit in my name, as they don't always pay on time, and I am not responsible for either of them. My son is XXXX and responsible for his own debts, and my sister has never lived with or shared any financial burdens with me either. I don't know why they show up as names.

Company public response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation