
photo credit: Jerry Bunkers
Have you checked your credit report lately? It is important to check your credit report on a regular basis. The information in your credit report is used to evaluation your applications for credit, insurance, employment, and renting a home. You need to make sure that this information is accurate and up-to-date. Also, you should check your credit report to look out for identity theft.
You are entitled one free credit report each year. AnnualCreditReport.com is the ONLY authorized source for the free annual credit report that’s yours by law. The Fair Credit Reporting Act guarantees you access to your credit report for free from each of the three nationwide credit reporting companies — Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion — every 12 months. Be careful – there are other companies out there that seem to offer a free credit report but only give you a report if you buy other products or services.
When you check your credit report look for accounts you don’t recognize or information that is inaccurate. If this occurs, contact the credit reporting agency and the information provider.