Free Credit Report Online
What is a credit report?
Your credit report is a file that contains detailed information about your credit history. Some of the information that can be found in a credit report would include personal information such as your address and Social Security number and also detailed information on accounts you have with any creditors including balances, payment history, percentage rates etc.
Why is it important for me to know what’s in my credit report?
There are a number of reasons why knowing what’s in your credit report is important. For one thing, if you look over your credit report and spot an account that is not yours you may be a victim of identity theft.
Another reason for checking your credit report is to know your credit score. If you know your credit score you will know how likely you are to be approved for a loan before you apply for one. The better your credit score is the more likely you are to be approved and the better your interest rate will be.
Is it possible to get a copy of my credit report online free of charge?
Yes it is. There are two ways to do this. One way is to contact each of the three credit bureaus, Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax either by telephone or on their websites to request a copy. The other way is to go to www.annualcreditreport.com. At this website you can request a copy of your 3 in 1 credit report in one place. It can be requested by telephone or on their website but takes just one request to get a copy from all three credit bureaus. www.annualcreditreport.com is the only authorized online source to get a free copy of your credit report.
How often can I get a copy of my credit report?
You can request a copy as often as you like but you are entitled to only one free copy of your credit report per 12 month period.