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[T895]Three Free Credit Reports

by Barbara Anderson, Bar

Credit reports are your most important asset when applying for a loan, housing, or even a job. Obtaining a free credit report is easier than you may think. Knowing the information your credit report contains is vital to accomplishing any of those goals. You should review your credit history at least once a year in order to correct mistakes, update information, and know what your score is. The best way to do this, of course, is by getting your free credit report.

Obtaining a credit report can be expensive if go through the normal channels, but it doesn't have to be. Each of the three major reporting agencies allows you up to two free credit reports per calendar year -- all you have to do is ask. You can contact any one of these agencies online or by phone. Not only do you get your credit report for free, but the call is free too! The toll-free numbers are: Equifax, 800-378-2732, Experian, 888-397-3742, and Trans Union, 800-888-4213. If you prefer, each credit reporting agency also accepts written requests for credit reports via regular mail.

You should request a report from each of the three credit reporting agencies. Reports containing the information from all three are not usually given out for free. Your credit score is not always included in the free report, either. You can, however, obtain both by signing up for a credit service. In exchange for signing up for this, you receive free credit reports for the first three months, but are required to pay for all the rest. The credit services do not like to tell you that you are entitled to receive free credit reports, but you are.

When you ask for your free credit report it is important to have all of the pertinent information you need. If you don't have this information it will keep you from receiving your report. You will be asked to provide your full name, address, and your social security number.

Before requesting your credit report online, be sure the website is secure. Getting a credit report online is so quick that it only takes a few minutes. When ordering your report by telephone, make sure you indicate that you want the free report -- the waiting time for one is one to four weeks. If you make your request by mail, however, the report will take up to six weeks or longer to receive.

Don't put off checking your credit any longer. Order your free credit report today!

Credit reports are essential now days, they not only help you get valuable information on your financial history but they also enable you to check status of these records and correct nay incorrect information.

You also need to know what is the best way to access your report, you may be asking if you only need to get one or is it best to get a credit report form all three of the main American Credit report bureaus? As you can see there is a few things you need to consider.

From 2003 it was written into law that all Americans can access a copy of their credit report for free but only once every twelve months. You need to take advantage of this and make sure you get a copy via the internet, mail or call up and order one. It has been recommended by many recommended consumer sites that you should get a copy of your report more often then just once a year. The main reason for this is that when you take out a loan or get a credit card the lender needs to report this information to one of the 3 main credit bureaus - TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian - but they only have to report it to one so what if you choose a copy of your credit report from one of the other credit bureaus? well you won't get the correct information.

Why it's necessary to get a credit report form all three credit report bureaus multiple times a year?
Not only will you have access to all your credit report information from the 3 bureaus and can cross reference between all three of them you also have the chance to correct any incorrect information, this is more common then you think and will stay on your recored form life, to give yourself the best possibility of getting a loan and on a good interest rate you need to ensure this info is correct.

Because information reported on your report comes in a different times to the different bureaus it is highly recommended that you first get the 3 copy of your report at the same time then get an individual copy form each of the bureaus every four months, this way you can be assured you have all the information you need on your credit report - but you need to keep doing this each year.

Article Source : Pg. 11

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Both Barbara Anderson & John Mcfadden are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Barbara Anderson has sinced written about articles on various topics from Criminal Defense Law, Credit Counseling and Home Management. Barbara Anderson is an author for several web sites, on and issues.. Barbara Anderson's top article generates over 2400 views. to your Favourites.

John Mcfadden has sinced written about articles on various topics from Free Credit Report Score, Unsecured Loans and College Student Loan. Find online at .. John Mcfadden's top article generates over 22200 views. to your Favourites.