Free Online Credit Reports

The legislation that allowed consumers to get free online credit reports made monitoring one’s own credit history a lot easier. Anyone can obtain a credit report online, free of charge, at the official website AnnualCreditReport.com. This website was set up by Experian, Trans Union and Equifax following the passing of laws by Congress mandating that this be made available to consumers.

There are many similar websites that offer a free online credit check but they may not be above board, and they may charge a fee or hidden fee to consumers. Those persons who want to check their credit history and payment records online must be careful to only go to AnnualCreditReport.com. Free online credit reports can be requested one time each year for each of the three credit reporting agencies.

Getting a check of credit using free online reports is easy. Users can print out their credit reports rather than having them mailed out. Everything about recent accounts for the past ten years will show up on the credit report online. Personal information, residential addresses, credit accounts and balances, high balance records, payment history (showing on time or late payments), length of time the account has been open, whether the account is still open, and many more details about credit accounts will be on the free online credit check report.

Accounts are divided into adverse reporting accounts and positive reporting accounts, depending on whether the accounts are overdue or current. If an account is closed and paid off, or charged off as a bad debt, that information will show up and remain on the account for a period of time until it drops off.

If a consumer has experienced bankruptcy, that will show up on the credit report, as will lien information. Bankruptcy information remains on the credit history for ten years at minimum. Other bad debts drop off after seven years time.

Under contact information, consumers will find on their credit free online report any information needed should they wish to contact a credit agency or the Federal Trade Commission. Email addresses, street addresses and telephone numbers are shown for all three credit reporting agencies. There are separate telephone numbers for consumers to call if they want to set up a fraud alert on their credit report. This should be done when there is any possibility of a stolen credit card or fraudulent attempt to open credit by someone other than the person named on the account.

To look at a credit report online free at AnnualCreditReport.com, a consumer must enter some personal information, including their Social Security Number. Reports are compiled by coordinating information using Social Security Numbers. Since this is very sensitive and important personal information, the website and the credit reporting agency websites all have high tech security measures in place to protect that information.

Take advantage of the opportunity to view your free online credit reports every year. Check to see that all recorded information is correct; make needed corrections for peace of mind.