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:

• Equifax
• Experian
• TransUnion

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]

Post from: Thrifty Mommy