Getting a Copy of Your Credit Report

One of the most important things to know about your credit is just what is on your credit report.  It is easy to get a copy of your credit report and review it to check your status

Any of the three national credit bureaus will give you a copy of the report if you write, phone or visit their web sites.  Your report is free IF you have been denied credit by anyone within the last 30 days because of information contained in your credit report.   If not you will have to pay approximately $30 to get a copy of your report.   You also can get a list of anyone who has requested a copy of your credit report in the last six months.   The three national credit bureaus are:
 

Equifax Information Service Center – www.equifax.com
800-685-1111
P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241

Trans Union Corporation – www.tuc.com
800-888-4213
Post Office Box 1000, Chester, PA 19022



Experian Information Solutions, Inc. – www.experian.com
888-397-3742
P.O. Box 2002, Allen, TX, 75013

Once you get a copy of your credit report make sure to review it thoroughly.   Check for inaccurate information and errors.  It is very common to have errors on your credit report.   Something as simple as having the debt of someone with the same name assigned to your credit report could give you a bad credit rating.  Make sure all  the debt on your report is actually yours.   And also make sure that any accounts that have since closed (e.g. old credit cards) are accurately represented as past account. 

Any negative information on your credit can remain on your report for up to seven years.   If you find any mistakes on your report make sure to do the following:
 

• Inform the credit bureau of the problem in writing within 60 days of receiving your credit report.
• The bureau should investigate your claim and most likely will fix the error. 
   
• Once the report is corrected you can request a copy be sent to any company that has disputed your credit rating.

Maintaining good credit is very important.   It is a good practice to review your credit report at least once a year to insure that there are no errors that are negatively impacting your credit.

 

 

©2004 YahooDebtConsolidation.com Midounam