I have noticed in the past few years that I am receiving information from these "credit bureaus" about "new information that could be damaging to your credit report". When I request a copy (free) of the account information, it has ALWAYS been from credit card companies whose accounts I have requested to be closed. Three separate credit card companies reported me as having "late payments over 30 days". The one thing in common.. they are credit cards I have requested to be closed. It used to be a consumer wanted to get rid of all credit cards because they had access to monies that could adversely affect the amount of debt the consumer accumulated, therefore making it hard to pay off any additional loans.
Like insurance companies, credit bureaus have the consumers in a black mail situation. I have requested "investigations" on each of these negative reports. Of course, the credit card companies are ALWAYS in the right and my "poor" credit record remains on file.
It's "funny" how one can look at the total picture and it is obvious I am paying my debts in a timely manner. And I do not only pay minimum payments.. and I attempt to pay off in full each month (another trait the credit card companies despise!!)
"They" want the consumers to pay everything via internet and I won't allow them access or information to my banking accounts. I can't prove that, just because I mailed a payment in as soon as I received it, that the credit card company got it before their 10 day deadline, or whatever. The turnaround times keeps getting shorter, the penalties keep getting HIGHER, and interest rates also double if ONE payment is deemed to be late by the credit card company.
The only alternative would be to certify the payment each time. That costs something like $5. BLACKMAIL.