Suspicious or red flags to look for on John's credit report include:
- Incorrect personal information such as misspelled names, wrong addresses, or incorrect Social Security numbers, which could indicate identity theft.
- Recent multiple new credit card applications or new accounts that John does not recognize.
- Maxed-out credit cards that show high credit utilization ratios, signaling potential financial instability.
- Cash advances on credit cards, which lenders may view as risky behavior.
- Accounts sent to collections, especially if John is unaware of the debts.
- Late or missed payments, which significantly lower credit scores and indicate potential financial trouble.
- High credit utilization ratio (above 30%), showing heavy reliance on credit.
- Too many hard inquiries from new credit requests within a short time.
- Negative public records such as bankruptcies, foreclosures, or liens.
- Cosigned loans where John may be responsible for another person's debt.
- Short sales on previous homes indicating unpaid mortgage debts.
Any of these items appearing on John's credit report should be carefully reviewed for accuracy and potential disputes filed if unauthorized or erroneous.
