Free Credit Report

It is the scourge of our age: identity theft. Thieves learn an important part about your personal information, such as your credit card number, and they open accounts in your name and spend, spend, spend! Unfortunately, by the time you discover that you are a victim the damage is already done. Here are seven steps you can take to prevent identity theft.

1. Guard your social security number. Clerks, telephone sales people, etc. will sometimes ask for your social security number. Do not give this information out. Of course, certain government agencies require your social security number for identification purposes, but other than that no one has a “need” for your number.

2. Get a shredder. Yes, ripping papers up into little pieces can help but these pieces can also be put back together by someone determined to get information from you. Thieves resort to “dumpster diving” or “trash can trolling” to find out important information about you. Once they have it you can count on your problems beginning.

3. Protect your mail. Thieves will make off with your mail if they think there is something of interest there. Purchase a locking mailbox if you live in an area prone to mail theft. Notify the post office if you suspect any problems. The United States Post Office has their own team of investigators who really, really hate mail fraud.

4. Get your free credit report. As of September 2005 all three major credit reporting agencies — TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax - must permit consumers to access a copy of their credit report for free on a yearly basis. To maximize the benefit of this law order a copy every four months from a different agency. Check your report carefully and take the proper steps necessary to correct any errors.

5. Review your monthly statements. Chances are you skim your credit card statements since it has gotten quite lengthy with all your gas, food, retail, and internet purchases. Thieves count on you doing just that! Pay closer attention to each item and question anything remotely suspicious. Follow the instructions of your credit card provider for contesting anything that is incorrect.

6. Do not call. Give telemarketers and all other phone solicitors the boot by getting yourself listed on “do not call” registries. Screen calls with caller i.d. to filter out everyone else.

7. Protect your computer. Make sure that you are running the latest internet security programs, change your password regularly, and only purchase items through a secure site [those with an “s” in their web address: https]

Should you suspect a problem, notify the three credit reporting agencies and request that a “fraud alert” be placed in your file. Contact the fraud departments of the effected credit providing companies and follow up all that you do with statements in writing. In some cases your rights are only guaranteed if you send a letter, so be diligent to learn all that is required of you when you have been victimized.

Matthew Keegan writes on business related, human interest, education, aviation, and general issues. For samples of some of his work please visit http://www.thearticlewriter.com

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Yes, it is true: free credit reports are available for you, the consumer. Thanks to an act of Congress, you can get copies of your credit reports annually. This means that Experian, Equifax, and Trans Union - the Big 3 credit reporting agencies - must furnish one free copy of your credit report to you every year. No, you can’t get your free credit reports sent to you automatically: you must take action. Let’s take a look at how you can get copies of your credit reports sent to you today.

Annual Credit Report - By visiting AnnualCreditReport.com you can sign up through the government approved site that will give to you your free credit reports. Each of the three credit reporting companies is listed therein, so select one and provide your personal information to the company of your choosing. Once your information has been verified, a report will be generated for your review. Take a close look at it: if there are errors you need to follow the company’s procedures for contesting mistakes.

Your Credit Score - Not included with your free credit reports but available for a small fee at the same time is your credit score. This is the score whereby members of the credit industry rate your creditworthiness. The higher your score, the better for you and the lower your borrowing rates will be.

Competing Sites - Some consumers prefer to pay for what otherwise are free credit reports. By signing up with companies who offer this service, you can automatically have your credit reports run and sent to you on a periodic basis. Again, you will pay a fee for something you can get for free. In any case, you will pay for your credit score no matter whose service you use.

As with any report, check your free credit reports for errors. Experian, Trans Union, and Equifax all have procedures listed outlining how you can challenge errors. Make certain that you follow their directions to have wrong information expunged from your report. It could save you money on your next credit card loan, car loan, or home mortgage.

Certainly, there aren’t many things that are absolutely free in this life. Congress has seen fit that free credit reports are offered to American consumers in all 50 states. Run each report at least once annually and check it for mistakes as they commonly occur. Who knows, but those free credit reports could reveal identity theft issues too saving you much grief and aggravation if caught in a timely fashion.

Copyright 2006 - For additional information regarding Matt Keegan, The Article Writer, please visit his blog for wit, quips, and freelance writing tips.

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There is a bit of misunderstanding going around regarding free credit reports: you can get a free credit score too. In reality, this isn’t true. If you go to the three credit reporting agencies, they are required to furnish your credit report to you for free. If you want your credit score, you will have to pay for it. There is a difference, so let’s examine just what they are.

A free credit report is available to you through each of the Big 3 credit reporting bureaus. Trans Union, Experian, and Equifax have been authorized by an act of Congress to supply a copy of your credit report to you once per year. If you order more than one copy from the same company within that year you will pay for that report. In addition, if you want your free credit score, you won’t get one: for free, that is. Instead, expect to pay a separate fee of approximately $4 to $7 per agency to get your credit score. So, it isn’t a free credit score, but it won’t cost you a bundle either.

On the other hand, there are companies marketing free credit scores as part of their package of selling to you copies of your credit reports. In these cases you pay for what is already free and get free what really should cost you money. Are you confused yet? Well, don’t be: essentially you are getting both the credit report and the free credit score as part of the package. In any event, you are likely paying more for the combined service than if you did the work yourself. Again, it is a service so expect to shell out some money if you opt to go the free credit score with credit report route.

For consumers wanting a free credit report, than a visit to AnnualCreditReport.com is in order. Again, in this case your credit report will be free but don’t look for a free credit score. The previously mentioned $4 to $7 fee will be charged to your credit card.

As with so many things, shop around and read the fine print. Remember, companies do provide a service by offering reports and scores to you. For some consumers this is a great way to “remember” to get copies of their reports and scores when someone else is doing the work for them. In any case, make certain that you obtain a copy of your credit report and scores today regardless of whether you choose to do it yourself or have someone do it for you.

Copyright 2006 - For additional information regarding Matt Keegan, The Article Writer, please visit his blog for wit, quips, and freelance writing tips.

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