One of the most important parts of personal finance is maintaining a positive credit report. Many people don’t think about it unless they’re applying for a loan of some type, but it’s important to check your credit report annually. This is how you’ll know if there have been changes to your credit score and to ensure that all the information contained in the report is correct.
Luckily, it’s easy to access your credit report for free. Below are several resources you can use to check your report at no cost:
AnnualCreditReport.com
This is the only website authorized by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to provide official credit reports from all three nationwide credit reporting companies. You’ll be required to verify your identity with information such as your birthdate and Social Security number, but rest assured your personal data is safe with this credit reporting resource. Request your free credit report online, or call 1-877-322-8228 to speak to a customer service team member.
Credit Reporting Companies
There are three nationwide companies that track the credit reports of all consumers – Experian, TransUnion and Equifax. In accordance with Federal Trade Commission (FTC) guidelines, each is required to make your credit report available to you once every twelve months at no cost. You can do so online, or by calling their customer service line.
Your Credit Card Company
If your credit score is what you’re most interested in, you may already have a free service available through your credit card provider. Many card companies have begun offering bonus services to keep loyal customers, and this includes credit monitoring services. Contact your credit card provider to learn whether a similar service is available through your account.
If you need to access your free credit report, there are a multitude of websites claiming to offer this service. Many of them are legitimate, but others are nothing but scams that could lead to identity theft. Stick to the resources above when checking your credit report to ensure your personal information will not be compromised.
Image via Flickr/Daniel Foster
