Free Credit Card Report

A person’s credit history is more important today than it has ever been before. Credit reports are used for so many different purposes now it is difficult to get by without an adequate report. Employers use credit reports to screen applicants. Apartment managers use credit reports to screen potential tenants. Utility services use credit reports to determine if you need a deposit. A person needs to review their own credit report to stay on top of what it contains, and to help prevent identity theft.

Many consumers are not aware that by U.S. law, everyone is entitled to one free credit report each year from all three of the major credit reporting bureaus. At one time, it cost $9.50 to obtain a credit report, but that all changed with the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003. Annual free credit reports are easy to obtain. It can be done online at the Annual Credit Report website, toll-free by telephone at 1-877-322-8228, or by completing the form printed on the back of an official brochure and sending it in by mail.

Some consumers prefer to obtain all their credit reports at one time, while others prefer to get their reports at intervals throughout the year from different bureaus. The three major credit bureaus from which reports are available are Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.

The initiative that began free credit reports has spawned several imposter websites, so consumers should make sure they are using the correct organization. These other websites sound like the real deal but they will ask you to provide a credit or debit card. If you do not cancel the reports within their trial period, they will charge a fee on your card each month until the service is cancelled.

To get your free credit report, you will be asked for basic information such as your name, address, date of birth, and Social Security number. Each agency may also ask a specific question pertaining to personal information that only you would know. This is in order to prevent unauthorized access to your credit report. Once the information is given, the free credit card report is usually available immediately when applying online. If done over the phone for by mail, it is usually mailed out within 15 days.

A credit report includes information on where you live and how you pay your bills. Some companies report your payments only if you are late or you miss a payment. Other companies, such as lenders and credit cards report monthly so that a history of good payments shows on your report. Other information on the report may be information on lawsuits you are involved in and any bankruptcy filings. The report will also contain a listing of everyone who has accessed your credit report so you can see if any unauthorized access has occurred.

If you ever find any inaccurate information in your credit report, it is important to contact both the credit reporting agency and the company that gave them the information. Both should be contacted in writing. The consumer report agency will begin an investigation within 30 days. After the investigation, the credit reporting agency is required to notify you of any changes, and if changes occurred, another free copy of your credit report.

Negative information on a credit report stays for a maximum of 7 years. Bankruptcy stays on a credit report for 10 years.