PRBC Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ

About PRBC +

How it Works +

Security +

Your PRBC Account +

Applying for a Mortgage +

Verification Questions +





About PRBC



Who is PRBC?

PRBC (Payment Reporting Builds Credit) is a national consumer reporting agency and credit bureau. PRBC collects, stores, scores and reports bill payment data for "permissible purposes" under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. It is the first credit bureau to give consumers and small businesses a way to build a credit file to demonstrate creditworthiness without the need to go into debt.

top How long have you been in business? Do you have any privacy or reliability seals?

PRBC was incorporated in March 2002 and has become a trusted resource for individuals, small businesses, and lenders. PRBC is a member of the Better Business Bureau (BBB) in Annapolis, Maryland. The prbc.com website has received a BBB Online Reliability Seal and a TRUSTe Privacy Seal.

top How is PRBC different from the "big three" credit bureaus - Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion?

PRBC is the only credit bureau that allows people to enroll themselves. It's also the only bureau that lets individuals demonstrate their fiscal responsibility with information that is not reported to the "big three," such as on-time rental payments and non-debt bill payments. PRBC produces a PRBC Reportsm and Bill Payment Scoresm (BPSsm) that can be used to supplement your "big three" credit bureau reports and scores (if you have one of them). A PRBC Report and BPS can show that you have paid your bills on time for up to the past three years. PRBC maintains your bill payment history in your file for seven years but does not share your file without your permission.

Unlike other credit bureaus, PRBC does not charge you a fee to view your PRBC information at any time, nor does PRBC sell your private personal information to solicitors, telemarketers, or direct mail firms.


top Don't the "Big Three" bureaus collect all of my bill payments already?

No. Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion do not automatically collect your on-time payments for many of the bills you pay each month. Payments for the following bills will only be reported to the big bureaus if your payments are late or in default:
  • Rent
  • Cable
  • Phone
  • Daycare
  • Insurance
  • Electric
  • Natural Gas
  • Cell Phone


With PRBC, you can document your positive payment history in a PRBC Credit File by reporting your payments for these types of bills.


top Does PRBC report payments to the "Big Three" bureaus, or offer a credit repair service?

No. PRBC does not report to other bureaus and we do not offer a credit repair service or "fix" information contained in your credit files at other bureaus. PRBC is a credit bureau, similar to the "Big Three" bureaus. However, credit reports and scores from the "Big Three" bureaus do not include on-time commonly recurring bill payments such as rent, insurance, cable, phone, remittances, day care, child support, and utilities. PRBC is the only credit bureau that enables individuals to build a credit file using self-reported payment data that isn't found in traditional credit reports.

top Who gets to see my PRBC Credit File?

You maintain full control over who may see your PRBC Credit File. It will never be shared with any other company without your permission. PRBC has a strict Privacy Policy and will never sell your information to solicitors or marketing firms.

top Do I have to pay to create an account?

No. It's free to register and enter your account information. When you report your own payments on rental, utility, or other payment accounts, PRBC may need to verify these before thay can be included in your Credit File. PRBC charges fees for these verifications (see questions about verifications below).

If you choose to use one of our online bill pay partners and have your payments reported to PRBC automatically as you pay your bills, you will not have to pay to have those payments verified.

top How often can I view my PRBC Credit File? Do I have to pay to see it?

You can view your PRBC Credit File as often as you'd like, free of charge.

top What does PRBC charge me, my landlord, or my bill payment service provider to report? How does PRBC make money?

PRBC does not charge you a fee to set up a Consumer File, enter payment or account data, or to view your information at any time. PRBC does not charge landlords, billers, or lenders to report on your behalf. PRBC sells credit reports (like the Big Three) to lenders upon your consent, when you apply for housing, credit, insurance, and employment. PRBC also charges fees if you choose to have self-reported payment history verified to be included in your Credit File.

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How it Works



How can I get my historical rental and other bill payments verified?

To have your historical information verified, you must first register and create your account. Once you've registered and entered your account information, make sure all of your billing and payment account details are accurate. You can then just click on "Order a Verification" under the "User Services" tab while logged in to your account.
Please note: You must have a minimum of six (6) months of payment history to order a verification.

top How can I use online bill pay to build my PRBC Credit File automatically?

When you sign up with one of PRBC's partner bill pay services, your payments will be reported to PRBC automatically as you pay your bills online. Each payment you make adds to your PRBC Credit File. By paying bills on time, you'll build a positive Credit File with PRBC that you can use to qualify for a mortgage and better rates.

top I already pay my bills through my bank online for free, so why should I pay to use yours?

If your bank's bill pay service is not currently reporting your payment information to PRBC, then many of the bills you pay online are not helping you build credit. Using one of PRBC's partner bill pay services ensures your PRBC Credit File grows automatically as you pay your bills.

Building a positive PRBC Credit File and Bill Payment Score demonstrates your creditworthiness and fiscal responsibility. A PRBC Report can save you thousands of dollars on a mortgage or auto loan and hundreds of dollars on mortgage insurance.

top Do I have to order a verification AND sign up for an online bill pay service?

No. You can choose one or the other. If you want to create a PRBC Credit File and PRBC Bill Payment Score (BPS) using payments you've made in the past, then you should order a verification. If you want to start reporting your payments to PRBC going forward, sign up for a PRBC partner online bill pay service.

If you've already ordered a verification but would like to keep your Credit File current, using one of PRBC's partner online bill pay services is a simple and cost effective way to do so.

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Security



What steps does PRBC take to protect my personal information from theft or other unauthorized use?

PRBC is a "consumer reporting agency" (CRA) as defined by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), and therefore must comply with federal, as well as state laws that make sure your non-public personal information is properly protected.

PRBC has made significant investments to protect your personal information from theft and unauthorized use. Security of your personal information is the single most important consideration in the design of the PRBC service. PRBC has deployed the latest security technology and stores your personal information in ultra-secure data centers.

The PRBC Team pledges to go above and beyond the letter and the sprit of the FCRA at every opportunity possible to protect your personal information from theft and unauthorized use, as if it were our own.

top Will my information be shared with other companies or sold to mailing lists?

PRBC feels strongly about protecting your privacy and will never give or sell your information to mailing lists or marketing firms. If you decide to report your own payment information that you would like to be included in a PRBC Report to share with lenders, this data will need to be verified. PRBC conducts payment verifications by obtaining your permission to contact your biller (utility, phone company, landlord, etc.). All payment verifications are conducted confidentially by FCRA-certified members of the NCRA (National Credit Reporting Association). Our verification partners are prohibited from using your personally identifiable information for any other purpose including their own marketing.

top Is this site encrypted? Does it have an https page?

PRBC encrypts all data transmissions using secure socket layer (SSL) technology. We will only collect personal information to the extent deemed reasonably necessary to serve our legitimate business purposes, and we will maintain advanced safeguards to ensure the security, integrity and privacy of your personal information.

PRBC is a licensee of the TRUSTe Privacy Program. TRUSTe is an independent, non-profit organization whose mission is to build users' trust and confidence in the Internet by promoting the use of fair information practices. To learn more about PRBC's privacy and security policies, view our privacy policy.

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Your PRBC Account



How can I tell if I am enrolled? Then what do I do?

If you can use your User Name and Password to login, you are enrolled. Then you can add payment accounts (such as your rent, mortgage, utilities, etc.) to your PRBC profile by submitting a few basic account details.

To verify historical payments that you have reported yourself, make sure you have made payments for a minimum of six (6) months. Ensure all of your billing and payment account details are accurate, and order a verification while logged in to your PRBC account. For more information regarding how to order a verification, please go to http://prbc.com/consumers/how/verification.php.

top How do I change my address or personal information?

You may change or update your personal information at any time by logging in to your user account at https://prbc.com/secure/login.php. Once you log in, choose "Consumer Profile," change your information, then click "Update."

top What happens if I forget my username and/or password?

Please visit the Login Page and use the 'Forgot Username' or 'Forgot Password' feature. If all else fails, register as a new user, and reestablish access to your PRBC Bill Payment History.

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Applying for a Mortgage



I am getting ready to apply for a mortgage. How will my PRBC Credit File help me?

Depending on the rest of your credit history, an electronic record of 12 or more consecutive on-time monthly payments will help you qualify for a mortgage and/or obtain a lower interest rate. The longer you can show you've paid bills on time, the better. An electronic record of 36 consecutive (3 years) on-time monthly rent or mortgage payments generally helps the most.

If you have no credit history but meet other guidelines, you can qualify for an FHA-insured mortgage with 12 or more consecutive on-time housing payments (rent or mortgage), plus three other payment accounts or trade-lines such as phone, utilities, and cable.

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Verification Questions



What is the cost for a consumer verification?

PRBC can verify payment history for up to 36 months, and you must have a minimum of six (6) months of payment history to order the verification. PRBC charges $20 to verify a rental history and $15 to verify other types of payment accounts. For example, the cost for verifying rent and 3 additional payment accounts (i.e., electric, phone, cable) is $65.

top Where do I send my documentation for verification?

Once you have completed account and payment details and ordered a verification, send your documentation to the fax number or mail address contained in your "Verification Order Receipt."

top How long does it take once I order the verification?

Once all documents have been faxed to the verification processing center, the typical turnaround time is two to three business days.

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