Did You Get Your Free Credit Report?


by Daniel Wesley - Date: 2006-12-23 - Word Count: 561 Share This!

If you haven't got a free credit report yet, then read this and know how to get one. However, before we go forward with the process, let us answer three most common questions being asked by people.

What Actually Is A Credit Report?

A credit report is another name for your financial report card. It contains a list of your stupendous loans and debts and other debt information. It's your credit report that finance companies turn to in order to decide whether you are eligible for a loan.

Who Prepares Credit Report?

There are three major credit reporting agencies viz; Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. They collect information from creditors and compile it to form a report. Your credit report can be transformed into a numerical credit score. This score is later utilized as a rating tool. If the rating is high, you pose a lesser risk to the lenders. It is the duty of the credit bureaus to provide a free credit report on request.

What is a credit score?

A credit score is the numerical form achieved by using a formula that rates your credit report. Your credit report is fed into the computer program where it is analyzed and then, a number is assigned to you, which is known as credit score. It tells your creditors about your creditworthiness. A credit score ranges between 300 and 800.

It's Your Right To Ask For Free Credit Report

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) states that each of the major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) has to provide a free credit report every year on your request.

To Get A Free Credit Report, You Need:

Your name, address, and date of birth

Your Social Security Number

You may also require any previous addresses

At the end, you will be required to disclose an information that only YOU are aware of, such as the payment amount, for security purposes

Reading Your Free Credit Report

As soon as you get your free credit report, carefully check your personal details such as your name, address, date of birth, and Social Security Number. A minute mistake in this information can do great harm to your credit file. You cannot imagine what damage can be done if your name is misspelt! Next comes the Public Record Information section. It contains records of any bankruptcies, liens, foreclosures, and verdict against your credit. Examine this section to make sure there's nothing strange. If you think there is something fishy in there, beware, it could be a case of identity theft! Inform the credit bureaus at once.   There is another section in your free credit report containing collection agency account information. Any accounts shifted to collections are recorded here, including name of your collection agency, account number, opening date of the account, and the due balance. Here too, you should be vigilant for anything strange.   Lastly, there is the credit account information in your free credit report. It shows the complete list of your credit accounts, along with a summary of your earlier credit record. Scrutinize the accounts, their opening dates, balances, date of last activity, and status. Never overlook anything that seems wrong to you in your free credit report. If you do so, you might have to pay a heavy price. Call the credit bureau from where you got the free credit report and tell them about your suspicion. Ensure that they take action fast.

Be a smart free credit report reader!


Related Tags: free credit report

Credit Card Application Know The Reasons For The Rejection Of Your Credit Card Application. Daniel Wesley provides free finance tips and loan calculators at http://www.creditloan.com

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