f you are applying for a year. Once every 12 months, you
credit card, mortgage, car can visit
or personal loan, you http://www.AnnualCreditReport.com
should be familiar with the and gain instant online access to
information included in your your free credit report.
credit report. You are issued a
number, known as a FICO score, When looking at a copy of your
which is calculated based on your credit report, you will be able
previous payment history, number to view payment histories as
of debts with a balance, recent submitted by each of your
credit inquiries, and balance to creditors, current and previous
available credit ratio. addresses along with any
information included on public
Many consumers are aware that record. This may include civil
they can obtain a credit report, judgments, bankruptcy or
for a fee, from the three major foreclosures, etc. If any of the
credit reporting agencies. These information contained in your
include TransUnion, Experian and credit file is incorrect, you
Equifax and they provide your have the right to dispute that
credit report to loan officers, information directly with the
credit card companies, financial credit bureau. At the time a
institutions and anyone whom you dispute is submitted, the credit
give permission to obtain a copy reporting agency will investigate
of your credit file. While many and correct any errors that are
consumers know that credit made.
reports can be obtained for a
fee, many do not know that Additionally, if you are turned
everyone is entitled to a free down for credit at any time, the
copy of their credit report from creditor must provide you with a
each of the 3 credit bureaus each written reason for the decline.
At that time, you may request a months to ensure that information
free copy of your credit report is accurate and to prevent or
from the agency that provided the detect identity theft. If you
information to the creditor. By notice an invalid address or
sending a copy of the denial credit line that you never
letter to the credit reporting applied for, this is an
agency, they are then required to indication of possible identity
provide you with a copy of their theft and should be dealt with
entire file relating to you and immediately by calling the credit
your credit history. bureau and having a fraud alert
placed on your file. An informed
It is recommended that consumers consumer is a happy one.
check their credit file every 6
About the Author:
Daphne is a Writer, Business Owner, Motivator and Self-Starter and full-time Mom. She enjoys writing articles about small businesses and family and tries to motivate other women with the same desires. She can be reached at 1-877-TOY-DIVA http://www.daphnespassion.com
