Online Credit Reports

Why Not Get Your Credit Reports Online?

Everyone should check their credit reports periodically. Not only can you catch suspicious activity that way – maybe an attempt at identity theft – but you can also catch and correct errors, which are a common problem with credit reporting.

A new law requires each of the major bureaus, Trans Union, Equifax and Experian to provide you with a free credit report each year. If you take advantage of this and order from one of the three every four months, you’ll be pretty well covered.

The only site where you can get them for free online is http://www.annualcreditreport.com.

The credit bureaus are selling their own online access to your credit reports, so maybe they don’t want the competition.

In any event, consumer debt advocates recommend using the phone or mail method to get your free reports.

However, as I just mentioned, the credit bureaus offer you access to your credit reports online for a fee. Also this is the only way to get a look at your Credit Score.

Some sites advertise free credit reports, but in most cases they are trying to sell you something, like credit monitoring or identity theft insurance. Read the fine print and if the free offer is really free, take advantage of it.

No matter what your normal habits are, you should check you credit report before applying for a mortgage, car loan or a new job. Clean up any errors you find before making the application.

Read Your Credit Report for more information on how to get your free credit reports and how to clean up any errors you find.

Clearly online access to your credit report and score is a plus.

Stay on top of your credit reports and fix any problems before they cost you money.

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