Free Copy Of My Credit Report |
"May I see a free copy of my credit report?" Have you ever asked this? Or have you ever wondered if you could ask this? You can! The law in the USA says that you are entitled to see a copy of your credit report at no cost. However, there is a condition; you can only have one free credit report in any single 12 month period.
It was not always the case that you could say, "I want a free copy of my credit report" and actually receive one. Some states allowed residents to get a free report only every so often, but now it applies to the entire nation and everyone is entitled to one once a year with no exceptions.
How easy is it for you to get a free credit report? It's very easy, actually. The agencies responsible for credit reporting on a nationwide basis have now come together and are working in tandem. They have a website at: www.annualcreditreport.com which you can use to get your copy of your free credit report.
This website is only accessible to those using an Internet service provider located within the United States of America and its territories. This is a security precaution, and besides, those in other countries should never need to access the website.
If you need to speak to an actual person, they have that catered for too. Just call them on 877-322-8228 and tell them, "I want a free copy of my credit report" and they will set it up for you.
You will of course need to provide them with some details. This is likely to include:
- Your full name
- Your current postal address
- Your previous postal address, if any
- Your date of birth
- Your driving license number.
There may be other details required. This could vary from person to person, so have everything ready that you think might be useful. Take the time to go through everything you have that is connected with your credit, even if it seems only slightly so.
There are three main credit agencies, known as credit referencing agencies that gather and record all your credit details. They are: Trans-Union, Equifax and Experian. Each one individually will supply you with a credit report on request, but you may have to pay them for it. Your credit report should not cost more than $10. You will get essentially the same information from the website mentioned above completely free.
If you want to write to each of the three main credit referencing agencies, you can at these addresses:
Trans Union (Annual Credit report Request Service), P.O Box 105281, Atlanta, Georgia 30348; Equifax (Equifax Credit Information Services), P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, Georgia 30374; Experian, P.O. Box 2002, Allen, Texas 75013.
In this way you won't have to break off from a telephone conversation, or filling in a web form to rummage around seeking an illusive document you didn't expect to be needed. Be as prepared as you possibly can be.
Securing a free credit report is not really very difficult. You simply need to be organized and know what to do. So, next time a friend asks you, "How can I get a free copy of my credit report?" you will know what to tell them.
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Credit in Minutes Tip #1
Stay
on top of your credit report. Most credit reports contain errors. Make
sure you check your credit report every year (you get one free credit
report every twelve months) and if there are errors make sure to
challenge them with the reporting credit agency. Credit agencies are
required to investigate each and every challenge that gets reported.
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Credit in Minutes Tip #2
Just
because you qualify for all of those credit cards does not mean you
should get them. A person with too many credit cards looks sketchy in
the eyes of a potential creditor. Think of it this way: if a person is
financially stable does he or she need ten different credit cards?
Wouldn’t just one or two suffice?
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Credit in Minutes Tip #3
The
best way to raise your credit score is to make all of your payments on
time. It sounds too simple to be true, but that’s all there
really is to it. Staying out of debt and/or making all of your debt
payments on time will keep your score up where it should be.
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