Quick Tip: How to Obtain Your Free Credit Report

A Credit Article Contributed by Brandie King

Introduction to Obtaining Your Free Credit Report

Obtaining your free credit report is a very simple thing to do. You should get it before applying for any credit to see if there are any problems on it that need to be fixed. Another reason for getting your credit report is that a lot of employers nowadays are checking credit reports to help them determine the reliability of a prospective employee.

Insurance companies are also using individual's credit scores to determine what they will have to pay for their insurance, and quite often you will either be required to pay astronomical amounts for your insurance or may even be denied insurance if your credit score is very bad. So, getting your credit report and fixing any problems on it is a very good idea. You should do this yearly to keep an eye out for any possible problems as well as for possible identity theft.

Requirements for Obtaining Your Free Credit Report

Traditionally, the situations where you can get a free copy of your credit report are when you've been turned down for credit (in the past 60 days), if you are on public assistance (welfare), if you are unemployed and looking for work, or if you have been the victim of credit fraud. There has been a new law passed that will allow you to get a free copy of your credit report from each of the three main bureaus each year. This will go into effect in December 2004.

There will be a national clearinghouse available where you can get your credit reports for all three bureaus in one place instead of separately.

Information You Will Need to Have Handy to Obtain Your Free Credit Report

You will need to have your full name, social security number, drivers license information (number and state), home telephone number, employer information (if applicable), and date of birth. You will also need to have your current address handy. If you have had any other addresses besides your current one within the last 5 years, get that information together as well. You should also have your credit card or debit card handy to pay the fee you will be charged for ordering your reports, which is normally $8 to $10 each.

Where to Obtain Your Free Credit Report

There are three major credit bureaus for you to get your credit report from. Since creditors only have to report to one of them, and not all three, your credit report from each bureau is going to be different from the others and you should therefore get one from all three. You can mail or call in a request to them, but it is much easier to just order your credit reports online. Here is the contact information for the three major credit bureaus:

Experian, http://www.experian.com

Equifax, http://www.equifax.com

Trans Union, http://www.transunion.com