How can I get a copy of my credit report?

By law, you are entitled to a free credit report from each credit reporting agency once every 12 months.

From www.AnnualCreditReport.com, you can go to each agency where you’ll have to answer a few questions to ensure your identity. Since there are three major credit reporting agencies, you may want to get a report from a different bureau every four months.

By law, you are eligible to receive a free credit report if you have been denied credit, insurance, or employment in the past 60 days; if you're on welfare; or if you are unemployed but will be seeking a job in the next 60 days. Additionally, you are entitled to a free report if you suspect fraud and/or identity theft.

You can get your credit score from each credit agency for a small fee (usually less than $10).

How long does public record information stay on my credit report?

Most information can remain on your report up to seven years. Bankruptcies can be included for up to 10 years.

What can lenders tell from my credit report?

From the information in your credit report, lenders can see:

• How promptly (or late) you make payment on your accounts
• How much money you owe
• How much credit you have outstanding in comparison to the amount you have available
• How often you've applied for credit
• What types of credit you have
• How long your credit accounts have been open

Can lenders discriminate based on information in my credit report?

No. Your credit report does not include information regarding your age, income, sex, race, religion, political views, lifestyle, medical history, or criminal record.

Your credit report only includes items that are related to your credit.

What should I do if there is a mistake in my credit report?

If you find a mistake in a credit report, check your reports from the other credit reporting agencies for mistakes as well.

Once you have done that, contact the agency(s) that have mistakes. You can generally request an investigation (which must be completed within 30 days) and rectify a dispute with each credit agency online, by phone, or by mail. Visit the credit agency's website for more detailed information.

Why is it important to check my credit report?

You should check your credit report for a few reasons:

• To check for identity theft: Identity theft most commonly involves getting a new bank account, utility account, credit card, or loan in another person’s name. By monitoring your credit report and looking for any suspicious or false activity on a regular basis you can better ensure that you will not become a victim of identity theft. If you find any incorrect information in your report, contact the fraud centers of all three credit agencies immediately. Learn more about identity theft.
• To ensure accuracy: A mistake on your credit report can jeopardize your borrowing potential.
• To be an informed consumer: Check your credit report and credit score six to nine months before you think you’ll need credit or a loan. You’ll have time to correct any errors, get a general idea of whether you’ll be approved, and take action to improve your credit score so you can get a lower interest rate.

How can I improve my credit score?

The best thing you can do is pay your bills on time. If you are delinquent on any bills, including a cell phone bill, bring them current as quickly as you can and stay current.

Keep your credit card balances low. A good rule of thumb is to keep them at 50% or less of the maximum limit.

Visit The ins and outs of your credit score to learn more.

Why does my credit score differ between credit agencies?

Your score may be different among the three credit reporting agencies for a few reasons:

• Credit data is often collected at different times during the month. Your records at any given time may impact your score.
• Not every lender or creditor you are affiliated with reports information to all three credit bureaus.

You can request your comparable credit score from the credit agencies through www.AnnualCreditReport.com.