By: Gaurav Bhola, MSM, Managing EditorCredit report and credit history are some of the most important facets of your credit. Americans by law can access their credit report annually for free. It is easy and simple to obtain and crucial to your financial success. Any inaccurate information on your credit report can create issues with prospective employment, credit cards, qualifying for loans, and much more.
Currently, there are only three credit-reporting agencies, Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion that have to provide you with a credit report once every 12 months, upon request.
There are several ways to access your credit report:
- You can call (877) 322-8228
- Log onto AnnualCreditReport.com, the only government authorized resource for you to get your annual credit report online for free.
- Fill out a form in the Annual Credit Report Request brochure, and mail it back to them. You can order the brochure from the Federal Trade Commission
A credit report is important because it is a complete rundown of your payment history, your payment behavior, listings of your accounts, and balances for each. It doesn’t reflect your credit score, or FICO, nor your creditworthiness. However, credit scores use the information provided in your credit report as part of their calculations, hence, it is important to correct any inaccuracies in your report quickly as it can improve your credit score.
Before you order your credit report, it is important to go through AnnualCreditReport.com instead of the three major credit-reporting agencies, who may charge you for the report.
You are entitled to your credit report if: you've been denied an insurance policy, a loan, or employment based on your credit report. Don’t get suckered into online scams and advertisements for a “free credit report," as there are many credit report “scamsters” out there on the prey.
The three main credit reporting agencies established AnnualCreditReport.com to be the exclusive, federally mandated free no-frills credit report resource site. Don’t waste your money paying for your credit report on one of the scam sites that charge a fee to view your report.
Your credit report can be an important source for finding out if anything needs to be corrected. Sometimes, it may require the exhaustive credit repair process. There are many companies that help with credit related issues, including credit debt, credit card repair, and credit consolidation. Financial services websites like ConsumerCreditDebt.org are a good place to get started.
