How To Get A FREE Credit Report

Get your free credit report!

(See below: You can get a FREE "FICO credit score" too!)

Residents of North Carolina are entitled to...once a year...get a FREE copy of their credit report.

You can use your credit report to correct errors, spot fraud, and thwart the increasing threat of identity theft.

Your right to one (1) free credit report per year is mandated under the Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act of 2003.

There is only one official website: www.annualcreditreport.com.

At this website, you can order a copy of all reports compiled by the three major credit-reporting agencies:  Equifax, Experian and Trans-Union.  This site can also be accessed through a link at the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) website: www.ftc.gov/freereports. This ftc website also provides answers to frequently asked questions.

You can also get your FREE credit report by calling toll free to:

1-877-322-8228

You will need to provide your name, address (and previous address if you have moved recently), Social Security Number and date of birth. You will be asked to answer some authentication questions to make sure that it is you...and not somebody else...trying to get your information, such as when was your last mortgage or car payment.

People have reported that completing the forms can be a bit confusing.

WARNING: FAKE / SCAM SITES

There are fake sites, and lots of them. Be on the lookout for fake "free-credit-reports" sites that lure you into buying credit monitoring services.  The Federal Trade Commission has already identified at least 130 such sites.  Here's the test:  If you are asked for your credit card number, you are likely at a fake site.  Pop-up ads or email messages claiming to be for the official web site are probably scams.

Which Credit Report Should I Request?

Ask for copies of all three agencies' reports...Equifax, TransUnion and Experian...as the information listed with each agency sometimes varies due to factors such as out-of-date listings or wrong account numbers.

What's In The FREE Credit Report?

The reports from the 2 major credit reporting agencies differ in style and appearance, but they all contain 4 basic categories of information:

•     Identifying Information
•     Credit History Information
•     Public Records Information
•     Inquiries For Your Information

What Your "FREE" Credit Report Does NOT Include:

Unlike the credit report, information about your credit "score" is NOT FREE, with the one exception listed below.  But it's more important.  You score can affect many things, including your ability to get loans, your insurance premiums, and even your employment.

Scores range from 300 to 850 and are used to predict how likely you are to pay your bills on time.  The higher the score, the better off your are.

How To Get Your "Credit Score":

As of 2/5/11, you can get a credit score from the following credit bureaus:

Equifax: Cost is $15.95 for your Equifax credit report and BEACON (the Equifax version of the "FICO score"). You cannot get your Experian or TransUnion FICO scores through Equifax. (Click Here)

TransUnion: Cost is $14.95 for your TransUnion credit report and FICO score. You cannot get the other two bureaus' FICO scores there. (Click Here)

How About A "FREE" Credit Score?

You can also get a "FREE" credit scrore at myfico.com (Click Here)

Here is an article that explains more about the "FREE" credit score, what it includes, and what it does not include: Free FICO Credit Score (No Credit Report or "Simulator" included) at FreeFicoScore.com (Click Here)

Which type of "credit score" do I want?

One thing to keep in mind. There are a number of different types of "credit scores" available.

However, the only one you want is the one called the "FICO score". WHY? Because "FICO score" is the one your creditors use when they are making decisions about YOU.

Here is an article that explains this recommendation in more detail and why it's so important: Get your credit score. Get the FICO score. (Click Here)

What Should I Do With My FREE Credit Report?

•     Check the entire report to make sure it is accurate and pay close attention to items such as loan
       balances, credit limits and past-due amounts.
   
•     Make sure that you recognize each account, including mortgages, loans and credit cards.  If you
       don't know the creditor, check it out.  Sometimes companies change their names, or it could be
       a fraudulent account.
   
•     Closely review all negative information to make certain the amounts and dates of delinquency
       match personal records.  Also look for out-of-date accounts.  Negative information should
       remain on credit reports only for seven (7) years.

How Do I Handle Disputed Information?

•     If you find an error or unknown entry on the report, you should notify both the creditor and the
       following credit agencies: www.equifax.com, www.transunion.com, and www.experian.com).
•     Credit reporting agencies usually have 30 days to investigate, make corrections and give
       customers an updated report that does NOT count as their annual freebie.
•     Document the dispute in writing.

Thinking you may need to file bankruptcy?

Want to learn how bankruptcy will affect your credit?

'Click' on the following topics to find out:

    To Fix Your Credit: Start With A Bankruptcy

    Want Good Credit: Think Bankruptcy!

    Bankruptcy: First-Aid For Your Credit

    Your Credit Score: How is it Determined

    HOW BANKRUPTCY STOPS BAD CREDIT: THE REAL STORY!

Want to learn how bankruptcy will affect your credit?

Want to find out what bankruptcy can do for you?

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