Free Credit Report – Know where do you stand

Free credit report is in many countries, credit report is a record of an individual`s or companies which has the record of past borrowing and repaying, including information about late payment and bankruptcy. Having a good credit saves your money. And one should have a credit report to see actual where your credit stands. Accessing you credit report will not adversely affect your credit score.

Credit report helps finance company to take a decision of whether or not to lend money to someone. The free credit report may be converted to numerical credit score as higher credit score indicates less risk so these score can be used as rating device.

People love to have their credit report as it is the only thing they know the most about. In credit report there is many things which we are not aware of. If want a proper answers for your question then visit online sites where you can get all the detailed information related to your credit report.

Many online sites provide you free credit report you just have to fill the online form. Once you have completed the online form just submit it and they will confirm it and then send you credit report. Previously the law didn`t allow having copies of credit report but now you can get copies of your credit report which is a plus point.

Many consumer some times provide incorrect information to credit bureau when they use internet form. They won`t give a proper detail like their credit card account number, mortgage lender or the exact amount of their last mortgage payment it`s because internet is cautious and do not except the incorrect information and your form get rejected.

It`s important that you provide your correct information to the credit bureau so they are not sending out credit report to the wrong people.

Anna Josephs is a freelance journalist having experience of many years writing articles and news releases on various topics such as pet health, automobile and social issues. She also has great interest in poetry and paintings, hence she likes to write on these subjects as well.

Free Credit Report Online - Checking Your Credit Online Is Convenient

Many consumers understand the value of regularly monitoring their credit reports. Identity theft affects millions annually. Furthermore, credit report errors can result in credit card or loan denials. Sadly, many people do not take the necessary precautions to safeguard their credit. There are many ways to protect our credit. To begin, you should make a habit of checking your report every six months.

The Purpose of Personal Credit Reports

A consumer's credit worthiness is judged by information included in their credit report. When applying for any type of credit, lenders will review your credit score or full report. Credit scores are often reviewed by retailers and lenders that offer instant credit. However, if you are hoping to obtain a major credit card, auto loan, or mortgage, the lender will request a detail copy of your report.

Credit reports include information such as number of credit accounts, balances, past due accounts, judgments, collection accounts, etc. Based on the information, a lender will determine whether you qualify for a loan. Individuals with several negative remarks, or credit report errors, have a lower chance of getting approved.

Why Check Your Credit Report Online?

Checking your free credit report online is the first step to protecting your credit rating. It does not take long for someone to steal your identity. Within a few weeks, a crook may have attained several credit accounts in your name; and these accounts will appear on your credit report.

Moreover, creditors make mistakes. For example, a creditor may have failed to report a past due balance that was paid in full. By checking your credit report every six months, you will be able to detect suspicious activity and resolve inaccuracies. For double credit protection, subscribe to a credit monitoring service. For a low monthly fee, these services notify consumers whenever new credit accounts are opened in their name.

Conveniently Reviewing Your Online Credit Report

Checking your credit report online is free and convenient. Various websites offer free credit reports. Simply verify information such as your name, address, social security number, and within minutes you are able to gain access to your report. Reports are easy to read and viewable for a month.

Free credit report online

Free credit report online will help to know your yearly credit status. You can find numbers of online sites those who gives you free credit report, free credit scores and free credit monitoring but very few sites are legal sites and are authorized to issue such annual free credit report.

The Fair Credit Report Act requires each of the nationwide consumer reporting companies. There art three legal financial companies Equifax, Experian, Trans Union to provide you the free copy of your annual credit report at your request once every 12 months.

Free credit report online includes all the information related to you like where you live, how you pay your bills and whether you have been sued, arrested or field as an bankrupt.

This credit report helps you in doing big finance deals like purchasing furniture, property or vehicles at the same time it may be problematic to some of them if they don`t have a good credit report.

Free credit report online saves your time the only thing you have to do is they provide you with the annual credit report form you just have to fill it with all the correct information`s. take care that you don`t provide any false information regarding your credit card number or regarding your billing because if you fill the false information your will not be accepted and it will be rejected, so try to avoid all such things and save your time with free credit report online.

Free Credit Report And Score - Why You Need Them Both

You keep a record of how much money is in your checking account. Chances are, you keep a running tally in the back of your check book and you balance that with the statement the bank sends you each month. As important as it is to know how much money you have available before you write a check, it is equally important to know your credit score and what is on your credit report. Not knowing these things could cost you money.

A credit score helps predict how credit worthy you are

Many factors go into determining your credit score including your bill-paying history, the number of credit accounts you have, late payments, collection actions, and outstanding debt. Once this information is compiled, statisticians compare your information with other consumers and give you points for each factor of your history that shows you to be a good credit risk. Your total number of points are added up, giving you your credit score.

A credit report shows how credit worthy you have been

Simply put, a credit report is a tracking of all of your credit purchases and payments compiled by a credit bureau and made available to any agency that is trying to determine whether or not to give you a line of credit or loan you money. The report lists every account you have open, even if it contains a zero balance. Information published on the report stays on it for 7 to 10 years.

Everyone should know their credit score and have a copy of their credit report

If you are getting ready to apply for a home loan, you should know what is on your credit report before your lender ever sees it. If there is an inaccuracy, you will have a chance to have it fixed, so it won`t spoil your chance of getting the loan. Having your report in hand will also give you a chance to close any old accounts that you no longer use. Having too many open accounts can influence the amount of credit you are eligible for to receive.

Everyone is entitled to a free credit report

The law requires each of the three credit bureaus to provide you with a free credit report each year. You may take them all at once or spread them out, but it is important to obtain them and make sure that the information of your credit report is accurate.

Free Credit Report And Score - How To Receive A Free Credit Report

Each consumer with credit history should obtain a copy of their report annually. The cost of credit reports vary. If obtaining a copy from the credit bureaus, consumers may pay $15 per bureau. However, some online credit agencies advertise low cost credit reports. Rather than paying for a credit report, consider obtaining a free report.

Who Qualifies for a Free Credit Report?

By law, each consumer is entitled to one free credit report each year. Although reports are free, consumer may have to pay a few bucks to view their credit score. Despite this incentive to encourage credit report monitoring, many people neglect to review the contents of their report. This results in millions becoming victims of identity theft each year. Free credit reports are available online, and viewable for up to 30 days. However, other factors may also qualify you for a free credit report.

Credit Report Inaccuracies

If you believe that your credit report contains errors or mistakes, you are a good candidate for a free credit report from each of the three bureaus. The majority of people only review their report from one bureau. However, if the contents on the Experian report are inaccurate, it's worth obtaining copies of the other three reports to ensure that the same mistake has not occurred twice.

Denied Credit, Employment, or Insurance

Although credit history has nothing to do with your ability to function well on the job or drive a car, many employers, and insurance agencies have begun checking credit reports. In some instance, a negative credit rating may prevent you from obtaining employment, or result in higher car insurance premiums. Individuals who have been denied a line of credit, employment, or insurance because of their credit will qualify for a free report.

Experience a Credit Limit Reduction or Interest Rate Increase

Unfortunately, creditors have the right to reduce credit limits and increase rates at their leisure. If you habitually make late payments or exceed your credit limit, a change in credit card limits and rates should be expected. However, if changes occur for no apparent reason, it helps to obtain a free copy of your report and ensure that all information is accurate.

Free Credit Report and Credit Score

Free Credit Report and Credit Score indicate the creditworthiness or financial position of a person. Initially there was strict prohibition to disclose the credit report and score. But due to development in business skills and policies many retailers and lenders extend credit facilities to their customers. In order to secure the credit transaction they demand for credit report and score to know whether the borrower is financially sound or not.

It is quite obvious that bad credit can affect one's credit flexibility but good credit report can help to get better credit extension. The credit report and score has long-lasting impact in all the ways of your life. So it is better to check your credit report and score and try to improve it. You may also repair your credit report and score periodically as repairing can eliminate many bad remarks that exist in it.

There are credit bureaus that maintain the credit report of every person. These credit bureaus collect the information from various sources like department stores, collection agency, lenders, financial institutions, etc. But now due to development in online services one can easily get free credit report and have a glance look at his/her credit records.

Understand your Credit Report
One should thoroughly understand his/her credit report so as credit score. If it is not possible to understand it personally take the vital help from and credit report service agency. Once you understand your credit report maintain a well-structured record, as it can be used as future references.

What is Credit Score?
Credit Score is the statistical data that clearly show your financial position. It not only indicates your financial position but it also indicates your bankruptcy and many other negative remarks. It is generally 3-digit number, which is based on your credit report. In fact there is not so much difference between credit report and score.

Usually the credit score ranges from 300-750 but the average credit score lies within 600-750 which is regarded as good credit score. Person below this average range must try to increase their credit score.

Considering its vital importance one must always try to improve his/her credit report and score. Now day`s credit bureaus provide credit report and score through online service. With the help of online services one can easily get the free copy of credit report and check credit report rating, which can act as an obstacle if not favorable. So it is advisable to order credit report instantly.

Free Credit Report - 3 Ways To Improve Your Credit Score Using A Free Report Online

The majority of the population is not in a position to pay cash for home and automobiles. Hence, when making a large purchase, most people must take advantage of financing options. Financing, or obtaining credit, makes it possible to comfortably afford a home, automobile, etc. However, financing does come with limitations. If you have good credit, your finance options are many. On the other hand, if your credit needs improving, you may be unable to obtain good rates when choosing to finance merchandise.

Advantages of Maintaining a Good Credit

Sadly, many consumers underestimate the importance of maintaining good credit. Secondly, some people fail to regularly monitor their credit reports and credit scores. Credit is very important. While it is feasible to obtain financing with bad credit, you will likely receive higher rates and undesirable loan terms.

Before applying for any type of credit, take time to review your personal credit report online. This way, you are knowledgeable of your credit standing. In addition, you can take steps to improve rating. Here are three tips on how to improve credit rating and boost your credit score.

Pay Creditors on Time

Paying bills late is extremely damaging to your credit report. If a creditor receives your payments one day past the due date, they have the right to increase your interest rate. Moreover, other creditors may also increase your credit card interest rates if you pay another account late.

Making timely payments will add points to your credit score. The higher your score, the better your credit. On the flip side, continually paying bills late will be revealed on your report, and decrease your overall credit score.

Reduce Debt to Income Ratio

Your online credit report will include all pertinent information, including how much debt you owe. Having an excessive amount of debts will also lower your credit score. Rule of thumb: the more available credit you have, the better. This indicates self-control and the ability to use credit wisely. On the other hand, if you have several maxed out credit cards, future lenders may be less willing to grant you additional credit.

Keep Old Credit Accounts Open

Many assume that closing old or paid accounts will increase their credit score. However, this maneuver does the opposite. Again, available credit is good for your credit score. If you pay off a credit card, and close the account, the credit is no longer available. Instead, keep paid off accounts opened. If you are determined to get rid of a few credit cards, cancel newer or recently opened accounts.

Free Credit Reports: Get Yours Today!

You may have seen the ads telling you where you can get copies of your consumer credit reports for free. Read the fine print and you will see that there is some sort of catch with these ads that will ultimately cost you money. You don`t need to pay for your reports no matter what someone else says. Let`s take a look at how you can really and truly get copies of your credit reports for free.

Thanks to an amendment made to the Fair Credit Reporting Act in 2003, Congress authorized the Federal Trade Commission to mandate that copies of your credit report be made available to you for free. Previously, in order to secure your report, you would have had to pay a fee. As of September 2005, residents of all fifty states are now eligible to obtain a free copy of their credit report from Experian, Trans Union, and Equifax once per year.

So, why were the reports made available at no charge to consumers? Well, even though all three companies operate independently from the government, combined they carry so much weight in determining your credit standing – and your very livelihood – that a decision was made that everyone should have access to their personal reports on demand. Furthermore, since a significant number of these reports have been determined to contain errors, consumer advocates insisted that you shouldn`t have to pay to correct someone else`s mistakes. Enter the Fair Credit Reporting Act as amended in 2003.

There are several ways you can order your free credit reports, but there is only one web site that will give you your reports for free: annualcreditreport.com. Again, only this one site acts on behalf of Equifax, Experian, and Trans Union to give you your reports to you for free.

You can also call the following toll free number to order your free credit reports:
1-877-322-8228

If you wish, you can place your request in writing after downloading and filling out a form found online at ftc.gov/bcp/conline/include/requestformfinal.pdf. If you choose this method, you will need to mail the form to:

Annual Credit Report Request Service

P.O. Box 105281

Atlanta, GA 30348-5281

For more information about the Fair Credit Reporting Act and the Federal Trade Commission, please visit the following site: ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/freereports.htm

When ordering your reports you can also request your FICO score. Unlike your free credit report, you will pay a small fee – typically between $5 and $7 – to get your score. If you elect to learn your score you can use a credit card to pay for your transaction. The three national credit reporting bureaus may also attempt to sell other services to you while you are checking off the information for your free credit report. These services include alerts, but you probably won`t need them. If you select some of the other offers, you will be charged for the service, so be careful what you pick.

Free Credit Reports For You

American consumers are now entitled to receive one free copy of their credit report per year from each of the three major credit reporting agencies. Equifax, Experian, and Trans Union are now all required by law to furnish to you a copy of your credit report. This is good news for consumers; please read on for additional helpful information.

As of September 1, 2005, the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires that the three national credit reporting agencies provide <u>one free copy</u> of your credit report to you annually. You do not need to contact the three reporting agencies separately to obtain your reports, instead you can order them online at annualcreditreport.com; or by calling 877-322-8228; or by completing the Annual Credit Report Request Form and mailing it in.

The mailing address is:

Annual Credit Report Request Service

P.O. Box 105281

Atlanta, GA 30348-5281


The online form is available here: ftc.gov/credit.

If you need copies more often, you can contact the three reporting agencies and request copies directly from them. <u>You will be charged</u> for any reports over and beyond your one free annual report.


To purchase a copy of your report, contact:

Equifax

800-685-1111

equifax.com


Experian

888-EXPERIAN (888-397-3742)

experian.com


Trans Union

800-916-8800

transunion.com

What is the best way for you to benefit from the new law? That`s easy: order copies of your reports from the companies on a four month rotating basis. Most consumers will find this method to be adequate as it will allow for you to compare reports from each agency. Naturally, if you already suspect fraud you will want to order all three reports at once and notify each agency to place a "fraud alert" in your credit file.

There are also several private companies who will get a hold of all three copies of your credit report for you as well. <u>There are fees involved</u>, but you may find their services to be less of a hassle than contacting the three companies separately.

In summation, the new law is a bonus for consumers. Published reports indicate that many credit reports contain errors in them; this law gives you the opportunity to correct "their" mistakes by setting the record straight and at no cost to you.

Free Copy of your credit report

As of Jan 1, 2004 according to FCRA Act, all credit bureaus will be required to give out one free copy of credit report per year. However they are not required to give you a free copy more than one time in a year.

A free copy of credit report will help protect you and your family from any financial crisis. If you haven`t recently seen a copy of your credit report, it would be advisable you obtain a copy of your credit report as quickly as possible. It is always recommended to check your credit report at least once in six months. Now days in just a few clicks you can have access to your credit report online. Getting a free copy of your credit report has no obligations and is absolutely risk free.

You are entitled for a free copy of credit report if

•You are entitled for a free copy of credit report if you have been denied credit
•You are unemployed and intend to apply for employment within 60 days.
•If you are a public welfare assistance
•If you report has been revised
•If you credit report contains inaccurate information due to fraud or theft

To obtain a copy of your credit report you need to provide the following information in writing


•Your personal information including you name, address, date of birth, telephone number and so on.
•You also need to submit your previous residential address if any especially if you need to obtain your five year credit history
•You also need to submit your social security number
•You also need to provide a signature at the end

Safeguard your credit (Tip that can help)

Shred any documents that show your credit information, social security number or driver`s license number before throwing them away.