How To Check Credit Report

Everyone should know how to check credit report information. Checking your credit report can protect you from identity theft, since you can spot any potential problems that arise. It can also help you determine what your credit score is, which will make a big difference when it comes to whether you can borrow money and at what rate. Knowing how to check credit report data is simple is thus a vital tool for personal finance. It is also relatively simple to learn how to check credit report data.

1. Visit Annual Credit Report: Each of three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion is required by law to allow you to check your credit report for free once every twelve months. Ideally, you should order one report from each of the companies every four months, which will allow you to keep tabs on your credit on a regular basis. If you want to order additional reports, you can do so directly from Equifax, Eperian or TransUnion but you will be charged to order the report.
   
2. Request your score if you are declined. When you are denied credit, the creditor must send your credit report if you request it. The letter that explains that you were declined will provide you with a phone number to call to check your credit report. Finally, there are pay services that you can use that will monitor your credit report for you. These services are available through many credit card companies, and even through the credit bureaus themselves. However, if you know how to check credit report data yourself, there is often no reason to pay a monthly monitoring service.

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