Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What does “No Credit Needed” mean?

“No Credit Needed”^^ means that you may be approved for financing or leasing without a credit score or credit history. Applicants with poor, or even no credit, may be approved, but credit is checked as part of the application process. Your credit score is not the sole consideration for qualification. You are invited to apply, no matter what your credit history is.

^^Approval is possible without a credit score, but credit history may be checked.

 

Does American First Finance check credit?

Yes, unless you have already applied through American First Finance within the past 30 days. When you apply for a product, American First Finance may check your credit using a hard credit inquiry (also known as a “hard credit pull”), which may influence your credit score. A hard inquiry occurs when a company with whom you have applied reviews your credit report, history of applying for credit, payment history, and credit score as part of their decision-making process.

 

How long does it take for my credit report to be updated?

American First Finance reports all payment history details to select credit reporting agencies no less than once (1) per month.* This may take approximately 45 days to reflect on your credit report.

Please Note: All product types are reported to the credit bureaus, except for LTO accounts in Arizona & California. We will no longer report to the credit bureaus for LTO accounts in Florida opened on or after 7/24/23, however, LTO Florida accounts opened before that date will continue to be reported to the credit bureaus.

 

What is a credit check?

A typical credit check is when American First Finance or another company views your history of credit, other accounts, and credit score with a consumer reporting agency, also known as a credit bureau.

 

What credit reporting agencies does American First Finance report to?

American First Finance reports to TransUnion,  Data X, Ltd., and Clarity Services, Inc.

 

What information do you send to the credit reporting agencies?

We send a range of account information, including but not limited to account balance, scheduled payment, payment history, and account status.

 

My credit score is lower than I expected.

There could be multiple factors impacting your credit score, some of which may be entirely unrelated to activity through American First Finance. American First Finance reports account information accurately to the credit reporting agencies and is not a credit reporting agency itself. For more information, please contact the involved credit reporting agency directly.

 

I missed a payment; can you make a courtesy adjustment and remove it from my credit report?

No. American First Finance reports accounts accurately and according to regulatory requirements. The information we report is required to be complete and accurate. Accordingly, we will not modify accurate credit reporting as a courtesy.

 

Why does American First Finance report my account as ‘closed’ after I paid it off in full?

American First Finance is required to report accounts that are paid off in full as ‘closed/paid in full.’ For example, an installment loan is a type of credit account that is considered ‘closed’ when repaid in full.

 

How do I report incorrect information on my credit report?

If you believe that any information contained in your credit report is incomplete or inaccurate, an easy way to file your dispute is online through credit reporting agencies. You can visit their website or call them directly and include the following items in your dispute communication:

• Clearly identify each item in your report you dispute.
• State the facts and explain why you dispute the information.
• Request deletion or correction.

You may also submit a credit dispute directly to AFF by mail if you believe AFF has reported incomplete or inaccurate information.

In order to best serve you, please include the following in your mailed notice:

• The specific information that is being disputed;
• An explanation of the basis for the dispute; and
• Include all supporting documentation to substantiate the basis of the dispute.

AFF will review your matter within 30 days from when it is received and will notify you of the result of the investigation.

Submit a notice to:
American First Finance
P.O. Box 565848
Dallas, Texas 75356

How do I confirm my credit dispute is resolved?

If you dispute directly with a credit reporting agency, you can expect a response from the credit reporting agency with the results of the dispute. If the credit dispute is directly with American First Finance, you will be sent a written response with the results of the investigation within 30 days.

 

How do I get a copy of my credit reports?

You are entitled to a free credit report every 12 months from each of the three major consumer reporting companies (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion).

You can request and review a free credit report through one of the following ways:

• Online: Visit AnnualCreditReport.com
• Phone: (877) 322-8228
• Mail: Download and complete the Annual Credit Report Request form at www.AnnualCreditReport.com.

Mail the completed form to:
Annual Credit Report Request Service
P.O. Box 105281
Atlanta, GA 30348-5281

*All product types are reported to the credit bureaus, except for Lease-To-Own (LTO) California and Arizona accounts. Additionally, AFF will no longer report to the credit bureaus on any LTO Florida accounts, opened on or after July 24th, 2023. AFF will continue to report to credit bureaus on any LTO Florida accounts opened before this day.