Credit Reports
One caller was concerned about identity theft following a breach of data at a local organization. She was concerned about use of her credit cards. In general, it’s always a good idea to monitor your credit.
All Massachusetts residents are allowed one free credit report per year. Readers can obtain more than one copy a year but fees may apply. Although all three agencies listed below have on line services to request a credit report and they encourage you to use their on line service, this service is not free.
All requests may be made by phone or mail or for a fee via the internet. If you see something on your credit report which you feel may be inaccurate, there is a process to go through to contest such an error. Three of the main credit bureaus are:
Experian, (www.experian.com) 1-888-397-3742
Trans Union, (www.transunion.com) 1-877-322-8228
Equifax, (www.equifax.com) 1-888-202-4025
Background checks - CORI
Another caller who had just gained employment in a school had a question on how to get proof he had a clear criminal record. This is possible in Massachusetts by filing a CORI request. The Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) Support Services Unit provides CORI to Board certified, non-criminal justice agencies such as schools, day care centers, home health aides, youth athletic coaches, and municipal government agencies. Individuals like our caller can also obtain a copy of their personal criminal record from the CORI Support Services Unit. If a person requesting the CORI report is residing overseas, an option is to sign it in the presence of a notary public (peace commissioners in Ireland) or solicitor. It can then be submitted here in Massachusetts.
This Unit also assists in correcting inaccurate criminal records, investigates complaints of improper access to or dissemination of CORI, and provides legal assistance on matters relating to the CORI law to police, prosecutors, judges, and the public.
For additional information, please contact the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services CORI Unit at (617) 660-4640, or see information on line at www.mass.gov
Legal Clinic
As we do every month, we will be having our next clinic at The Banshee on November 6th at 6:30 pm. At the clinics, people receive a free one to one consultation with an experienced immigration attorney.
Email me your immigration query or a topic you would like us to cover today: Kieran@ipcboston.org
Disclaimer: Please note that the information contained in it is provided to inform generally, and is not intended as a substitute for individual advice. Immigration law is subject to frequent changes and individual circumstances can affect the application of certain legal provisions. For individual legal advice, please contact the Irish Pastoral Centre directly regarding upcoming legal clinics or consultation with an immigration attorney.