How to Get a Free Credit Report
Nowadays the information from your credit report is not only used as a deciding factor for
traditional loans, but it also used to assess your applications for
cash advances, new lines of credit, insurance, and even employment. Therefore, you should
closely examine the information for accuracy as well as identity theft. Experts recommend that
you check your credit report annually.
How to Get a Free Credit Report:
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Here's what you need know: the data from your credit report is used to determine your credit
score- a three digit number ranging from 300-850. Several versions of the credit score exist,
however, the most recognizable is referred to as your FICO score. FICO, developed by the Fair
Isaac Company, is formulated with a number of factors, including: payment history, debt level,
length of credit history, number of credit applications, as well as having different types of credit.
- Under federal law, consumers are able to request and obtain a free credit report once every
12 months from each of the three nationwide consumer credit reporting companies (Equifax,
Experian, and TransUnion). The reports can be ordered all at the same time or individually.
Ordering all three at the same time will allow you to compare and contrast the information.
Alternatively, the benefit to ordering one now and others later is that you can monitor any
changes that transpire.
- Be weary of other companies that offer free credit reports. Many companies claim to
provide free credit reports if you purchase their products or services. In some cases,
companies will promise a "free" report and then bill you later. To avoid these and other
potentially costly scams, make sure to read everything involved with accessing your free
credit report.
free credit report