How to check your credit report
April 27, 2009 by Jennifer Chait
Filed under credit, debt/credit
It’s pretty easy to check your credit report, and you should at least annually. It’s smart to look your report over because one, bad credit can stop you from getting a new credit card, an apartment, a car loan, and plenty of other things, and two, there may be incorrect info on your report. Either way, you need to know in order to fix your credit. Another reason you may want your report is if you’re planning on car shopping, buying a home, or doing some other large activity involving credit. This way you know where you stand and can bargain for better rates.
You can get a free credit report IF:
- You’ve recently been denied credit for any reason. You have to request the report within 60 days.
- You’re unemployed and are actually planning to apply for work within 60 days of requesting a report.
- You’re receiving public assistance.
- You think your credit report may contain errors due to fraud – for example, someone applies for a credit card, bank account, or car loan in your name (or using your social security number).
- You haven’t had a credit report sent to you during the past year – everyone is entitled to one free credit report a year (BUT note that it won’t be in-depth).
To get a free credit report you’ll need to contact one of the major credit bureaus:
All of the above send pretty much the same report if you’re getting one free. They each also offer in-depth credit reports, but it’ll cost you. Something important to note is that if you check your report, it won’t lower your score. This common misconception is likely due to the fact that other people checking your score can lower it. Say you apply for credit every two months – THAT can lower your score, but you can check your own credit.
So have you checked your credit lately?
[image via stock.xchng]
I was going to get my free annual credit report, but we just applied for a house and so the bank always tells you if there’s something fishy on there.
True, banks can get you one free if you’re buying something big.
My husband checks ours with each of the three you listed once a year, but staggers them so we are keeping tabs on our credit every 4 months. Just make sure you do it really free. They all also offer a try-it-free period but then will charge you after that period is over.