Do you know Innovis?

You may have heard the name in passing...seen their mysterious logo...but what is Innovis?

Innovis is often called the "fourth credit bureau." A relative newcomer to the credit reporting industry, Innovis collects consumer data and sells it to creditors for the purpose of creating mailing lists. Remember, all those mail offers you received after your last move? That was Innovis. The company is also used by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to track loan delinquencies.

Innovis isn't as consumer friendly or open as the other credit bureaus - Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. The sparse website for Innovis includes little more than a mailing address where you can send your request for a copy of your report. They list the price as $3 to $8, but I'm going to see if I can order mine for free by citing FACTA regulations.

The good news? Innovis data isn't used in a situation where you could be turned down for credit, insurance or a job, according to an NBC report. (Warning: the phone number listed in this report is disconnected) So even if there are damaging inaccuracies on your report, you won't be negatively harmed. Unless you count receiving less junk mail as being a negative!