Checking Your Records

There are many entities out there that are keeping records on you. Ever wonder who has access to those records or what is being reported about you? This article will list many of the areas of your life that are being recorded. You are entitled to know what is being recorded about you and how to access the same records that others have.

Many things can cause you to need to rely on records. Having records allows you to prove your rights, ownership, innocence, credentials, and even heritage among many other things. For safety and reference you should keep secure digital and paper versions of your records. Here are 12 sets of records you may need and how to get them.

Credit Records
These are very important because you are the only person who can correct the mistakes that may be on your reports. Everyone is entitled to a free annual credit report from each of the three credit bureaus: TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian. You can conveniently order all three at the same website: www.annualcreditreport.com. The free version of the report will not include your score, however, if you are interested in finding out what your score is you can order that information for a fee.


Employers’ Records
Your employer documents many personal observations about you and maintains tons of confidential information about you. The records your employer keeps about your performance, pay, benefits, attendance, disciplinary action, achievements, promotions, etc., are the employer’s property, just like the notes you keep are your personal property (unless yours is stored on company owned property, such as a computer). Only a judge or legal referee can force either party to share their records.

You can ask your employer for a copy of your work records, and many employers will allow you access to the information they have kept, but they are not required to do so. Any time there is a meeting, email, letter, review, or phone call at work that you believe may need to be referenced again in the future you should make your own written, dated notes of it.

Keep 2 months worth of paystubs, as you may need these at times for loan applications, or proving your employment or residence.
 

Police Records
If you are involved in any incident that included police involvement get a copy of the police report. You may have to pay a fee to the police department for the report, but it will be worth it. Having the police report will assist you whether you are seeking damages or defending yourself. Knowing what the police witnessed and reported will allow you to better respond to the variety of questions that others will be asking.
http://www.policereports.us/index.html

Banking Records
Do you know if you were wrongly charged fees or your transactions were miscalculated? Most banks and credit unions allow you to access your records online.
Save the statement they mail to you for reference at tax time, legal purposes, merchant disputes, balance reconciliation, etc.

You should be able to access your retirement accounts online as well, either through your brokerage or employer.

Birth and Death Records
Remember the grief President Obama was going through over his birth certificate? Save yourself the same aggravation and keep yours accessible and safe. The fastest way to find birth, death, marriage, and divorce records in your particular state is to log onto the CDC’s National Vital Statistics page and follow the links for the state your records should be found in. There is typically a fee for each record.
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss.htm

Military Records
Coast Guard Records:
http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/location/location-coast-guard.html

Requesting military records:
http://www.archives.gov/st-louis/military-personnel/standard-form-180.html

Public records
Liens, tax liens, judgments, bankruptcies, police citations, and magistrate hearing results are examples of public records.
A great resource for finding various public records is your state’s judicial website.
As mentioned before LexisNexis offers a public records search on businesses such as contractors, day care centers, pharmacies, grocery stores, car repair shops, etc.
http://ujsportal.pacourts.us/

Social Security Statement
If you retired today what kind of income could you expect from Social Security? This document is mailed automatically to you every year three months before your birthday. It will include the following:
=A record of your earnings history and an estimate of how much you and your employer paid in Social Security taxes; and
=Estimates of benefits you (and your family) may be eligible for now and in the future.
=If you have moved and are not collecting Social Security benefits there is no need to inform the Social Security office. They regularly update mailing addresses based on the address you put on your tax return.
https://secure.ssa.gov/apps6z/isss/main.html

Tax records
There is no period of limitations that stops the IRS from auditing you if you did not file and should have or filed a fraudulent return. These records could audited by the IRS. You should save a copy of each year’s tax record and supporting documents for 3 years if you have filed a thorough and accurate return. Additionally, you may need these records for things like a home mortgage application or other loans.

The IRS provides a very thorough list of the records they suggest you keep.
http://www.irs.gov/publications/p552/ar02.html