Find Out Your Credit Score and History
Have you ever wondered what your credit report looks like? Getting a copy is easy, just contact one of the credit reporting agencies once a year to receive a copy, absolutely free. The report is easy to understand, once you know what you are looking for.
Usually, most businesses report to one or more of the credit bureaus. Whether you realize it or not, if you have ever had a mortgage, car loan, or credit card, then you have a credit report on file. What this means for you is that to get your credit bureau report, you may need to request a report from all 3 so that you can get a look at your credit bureau “big picture” so you can repair your credit score and history if necessary.
Getting a credit report for free is as simple as contacting the credit bureau. All you have to do is make the request online from one or all of the major credit bureaus. What you have to do is to either make the request online or by mail. Be prepared to provide some identifying information, to confirm that the report you are ordering is your own. Although some web sites charge a fee for a credit report, you are not required to pay any fee; the credit bureau must give you one free credit report per year.
Once your credit report is in your hands, look it over carefully. Check the first section for errors. This section shows your name, address, and other personal information. If there are any inaccuracies, you can ask the credit bureau to correct them.
Next up is the section listing your current obligations like home and car loans, student loans, credit cards, and other bills. Make sure that all the accounts listed are actually yours, and that the payments and balances are correct. Late or missed payments of 30 days or more will also show up in this section.
The credit bureau will list those merchants that use its service, so different credit bureaus will list different merchants and may report a different credit history. It is possible to have an excellent credit score with two of the 3 major bureaus and a poor rating with the other, for example. Your credit report list any requests or inquiries by lenders that have occurred recently. Check the report to ensure that no unauthorized person or company has made an inquiry without your permission.
Be sure to contact the credit bureau with any information that needs to be corrected regarding your debt and credit history, so the credit bureau can take steps to make the necessary corrections.
By keeping your personal credit reports accurate and up to date, you will have financial and personal peace of mind.
