How to Get a Free Credit Report

How To Get A Free Credit Report

Credit reports are detailed collections of people's personal credit history which includes such things as payment history, payment behavior, financial accounts and up-to-date account balances. However, they do not include people's credit scores which are solely based on the credit reports. For people to maintain or achieve an excellent credit score, they should review their credit reports periodically. This article explains the importance of credit reports and how people can get free copies of them.

Why Do People Need To View Their Credit Reports?

In some cases, there may be information on people's credit reports that are questionable or out-dated. Thus, it is essential for consumers to review their reports regularly so that they can spot these errors and work on fixing them. When there are errors on people's reports, their credit scores can be adversely affected, and they can be denied of such things as credit cards, loans, mortgages, insurance, cell phones and even home rentals.

Where Can People Get Their Credit Reports?

Everybody is entitled to receive one free credit report each year from the three main credit reporting bureaus. These bureaus are Equifax, Transunion and Experian. The federal government requires all three of these bureaus to provide consumers with a free copy of their reports each year.

How Do People Go About Getting Their Free Credit Reports?

Free reports are not automatically mailed to consumers, they must request them. They can do this either by contacting one of the above credit bureaus or by contacting the Federal Trade Commission. They can do this either online, by mail or phone. They can also request a free credit report from the annual credit reports website, annualcreditreport.com. In just a few weeks, consumers will receive their complimentary report in the mail.

Everybody is entitled to receive one free credit report each year

by Kimberly Thompson, Business Services writer