The Ease Of An Online Credit Report

Itching to see what's in your credit file? Order an online credit report and it will arrive instantly, much faster than by mail or fax. And it's totally free.

Technology has made it simple to see your credit report securely online. You can check the accuracy of the information and make sure no one has hijacked your name or social security number. A few years ago, you had to pay a fee to see your own credit report. If that seems unfair, Congress agreed with you. Recent legislation guarantees Americans a free yearly credit report check from each of the big three credit reporting bureaus.

The reports are sometimes notorious for their errors, so smart consumers should make sure that their credit information is unblemished. Ordering your credit report is simple and straightforward. Have some of your credit account numbers handy for verification purposes, and information such as your mother's maiden name. There are many online providers of free credit reports and free scores. In return for this free information, you're often required to sign up for a credit monitoring service on a trial basis. You can bypass this by going to the free government-mandated site, but the downside is you can't get your scores there without paying a fee.

Facts About Credit Bureaus:

The bureaus charge a fee to their subscribers for providing information about you

They may sometimes be more concerned with providing a quantity of information than they are with the quality of the information

They compile, manage, and report information. They don't create it

Get Your Free Online Credit Report
Many companies offer you a free online credit report. The three major national credit bureaus are:

Official Web Site
The bureaus are required to maintain an official web site to offer reports (annualcreditreport.com). There are also other companies that provide free reports and bundle them with a trial credit monitoring service.

Beware of some unsavory credit counseling groups that entice customers to their businesses by offering them a free report. If you have poor credit, the companies will offer to repair your credit for a fee. Some are very worthwhile, others not. Obviously, there are a variety of companies with different services, so be sure to find out what they offer and what they charge before making any decisions.

Whichever business you choose to provide your free online credit report, the information doesn't change. If you have never seen the contents of your credit history, you can expect to see:

Your name

Date of birth

Social Security number

Your spouse's name

Your employer

Your employment history

Where you live

Your previous address

Bill-paying history

Number and type of accounts you have

Any late payments, collection actions, or outstanding debts

The information in your credit report will show you what creditors use to base their decisions on. Make sure your credit report is accurate. Checking for errors is extremely important no matter which consumer reporting agency or credit bureau you receive your credit report from.