In most states, however, you will need to prove that you are either without a job and will be looking for work in the next two months, currently receiving public assistance, or if you think that there are errors in your credit report. Any one of these reasons is grounds to provide you with a free credit report, and if you are able to get one, take advantage of it.

If you don't live in the states that will provide them free, or don't match the above criteria, you will probably have to pay a small fee to obtain the credit report, but don't worry-it's minimal.

You see, the fair credit reporting act passed by the government now actually legislates that the major reporting firms must give you at least one free copy of your credit report each year. How do you get this?

First of all, call up the company you are planning to ask for the credit report, and ask them the data they will need in order to give you your credit report. Make sure you have this available when you are actually getting it.

However, here's one thing to be aware of when getting free instant credit reports-the majority of them do not include your score in the report, obviously a serious omission.

They will give you plenty of information on your past purchases and payment behaviors, such as how timely they were, but if you are looking for your actual score, you're out of luck.

However, the valuable info your credit report does contain makes it worthwhile to get it. it contains 5 different sections, starting with your personal info. Then, it will show any data on collection agencies you might have worked with in the past, info from public records such as filing for bankruptcy or court judgments for or against you, any current payments you have, such as leases, rents, mortgages, etc.

Therefore, this is some very important info, and even though it doesn't show your score specifically, you should look over this info thoroughly, as doing so will save you a lot of aggravation in case there are errors.

This way, when you make sure it's all correct, you can be confident that whatever your credit score is, it's accurate, and when you are working with a financial institution, you can obtain the best interest rate possible.

Here's another important tip: make sure, when trying to get free instant credit reports, that you don't do this from a public computer, as it might contain cookies that enable it to remember info put into it. If somebody else happens along and finds this info, they can very easily access your credit card number and all sorts of info you need to keep private.

The bottom line is, get free instant credit reports, as it contains important info you will need when applying with a financial company. You won't regret it.