Sorry if this is kinda stating the obvious, but since you've been in Japan for a while, I dunno how much of this you had to worry about over there. Annual report will tell you quickly if there is a problem right now. You may be lucky and not have a problem, in which case I'd get your business done, and then maybe put in a credit freeze. Talking to that Clark Howard guy might help also (he's a talk radio guy, but he's a good one- does consumer stuff, and he does it offline as well- he will give saner advice then I would, he's used to this)
One option you have is a credit freeze if there is suspected fraud. Warning: getting credit cards right now is tough, in your case maybe moreso due to being in Japan. Sorry.
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Also, I'd suggest looking at this
http://clarkhoward.com/topics/freecreditreportinfo.html
Sorry if this is kinda stating the obvious, but since you've been in Japan for a while, I dunno how much of this you had to worry about over there. Annual report will tell you quickly if there is a problem right now. You may be lucky and not have a problem, in which case I'd get your business done, and then maybe put in a credit freeze. Talking to that Clark Howard guy might help also (he's a talk radio guy, but he's a good one- does consumer stuff, and he does it offline as well- he will give saner advice then I would, he's used to this)
One option you have is a credit freeze if there is suspected fraud. Warning: getting credit cards right now is tough, in your case maybe moreso due to being in Japan. Sorry.