Where Can You Really Get a Copy of Your Free Credit Reports?
The offers are everywhere! Commercials with catchy jingles, free offers, scare tactics about identity theft and more, it's hard to miss them.
So what's the real deal? Is everyone allowed to give away free copies of your credit report? There are many websites that offer a free copy of your credit reports but most of them will only do it if you sign up for other services like "credit monitoring.
"The only place recommended by the Federal Trade Commission is a website set up by the three reporting agencies (Experian, TransUnion and Equifax).
You can call them at 1-877-322-8228 to order a copy.
You do not have to contact the three reporting agencies individually.
If you've already gotten your free copy for the year, you can get an additional copy of your report if you have been denied credit (by a bank, insurer, etc.
) within 60 days of being denied.
If you really need to, you can also purchase a copy for about $10.
For More information and FAQ, visit the Federal Trade Commission's website at "ftc" dot "gov" Why is it a good idea to check my credit? It's a good idea to review your report and score on a regular bases for several very important reasons including: Identity theft, inaccuracies, unauthorized activity and to see who has been checking on you aside from you!The information in your report can affect your ability to secure a loan (car loan, home loan, student loan and more) and can also determine what type of interest rate you receive from your credit card company.
If you find an error when checking your eport, you can dispute it by writing to the reporting agency and telling them what the error is.
You will need to supporting it with any evidence of the error you might have (copies of documents, etc.
) The reporting agency will then do an investigation and if an error is found, they will report the error to the other reporting agencies which are obligated to make the correction.
If you do have negative information on your report that is accurate, the only way to remove it is to wait it out.
Most negative information takes seven years before the reporting agency removes it from your report and bankruptcy can be reported for ten years.
Stay on top of your credit! In order to avoid bad credit and negative reports on your report, make sure to pay your bills on time and check your report at least once a year.
Since it's free to get a copy of your report every year, there's no reason not to.
So remember, you can receive a free copy of your credit report without signing up for any additional services and it's a good idea to review the information in your report on a regular bases.
So what's the real deal? Is everyone allowed to give away free copies of your credit report? There are many websites that offer a free copy of your credit reports but most of them will only do it if you sign up for other services like "credit monitoring.
"The only place recommended by the Federal Trade Commission is a website set up by the three reporting agencies (Experian, TransUnion and Equifax).
You can call them at 1-877-322-8228 to order a copy.
You do not have to contact the three reporting agencies individually.
If you've already gotten your free copy for the year, you can get an additional copy of your report if you have been denied credit (by a bank, insurer, etc.
) within 60 days of being denied.
If you really need to, you can also purchase a copy for about $10.
For More information and FAQ, visit the Federal Trade Commission's website at "ftc" dot "gov" Why is it a good idea to check my credit? It's a good idea to review your report and score on a regular bases for several very important reasons including: Identity theft, inaccuracies, unauthorized activity and to see who has been checking on you aside from you!The information in your report can affect your ability to secure a loan (car loan, home loan, student loan and more) and can also determine what type of interest rate you receive from your credit card company.
If you find an error when checking your eport, you can dispute it by writing to the reporting agency and telling them what the error is.
You will need to supporting it with any evidence of the error you might have (copies of documents, etc.
) The reporting agency will then do an investigation and if an error is found, they will report the error to the other reporting agencies which are obligated to make the correction.
If you do have negative information on your report that is accurate, the only way to remove it is to wait it out.
Most negative information takes seven years before the reporting agency removes it from your report and bankruptcy can be reported for ten years.
Stay on top of your credit! In order to avoid bad credit and negative reports on your report, make sure to pay your bills on time and check your report at least once a year.
Since it's free to get a copy of your report every year, there's no reason not to.
So remember, you can receive a free copy of your credit report without signing up for any additional services and it's a good idea to review the information in your report on a regular bases.