Check Your Credit Report Often

Do you routinely check your credit report?

It’s a good practice because monitoring your credit report can alert you to problems, inaccuracies and unauthorized use of your credit, up to and including identity theft. By federal law, consumers have access to free credit reports, but you need to go to the right place so that you will to not be charged for this service.

The only government-approved, free credit report web site is www.AnnualCreditReport.com.  It allows you to access each of your three credit reports from the three major credit reporting companies (Equifax, TransUnion and Experian) once a year. Other web sites (which may have the word “free” in their web address or in their advertising), require consumers to buy a product, service or subscription before they can get their report.

Should I order all of my credit reports at one time or space them out over 12 months?

According to www.annualcreditreport.com, it is entirely your choice whether you order all three credit reports at the same time or order one now and others later. The advantage of ordering all three at the same time is that you can compare them. However, in that case you will not be eligible for another free credit report from the Central Source for 12 months. On the other hand, the advantage of ordering one now and others later (for example, one credit report every four months) is that you can keep track of any changes or new information that may appear on your credit report.

Please know that only your credit report is free; if you want to learn your credit score (your "FICO" Score), there will be a fee involved. For more tips on safeguarding your credit and preventing identity theft, go to our Consumer Credit pages.