Free credit reports

[Puppyraiser]

I am loathe to open any link that is presented to me without my doing a search for the information. However, I would like to see my credit report and get my score. Is it safe to click on the links provided on AOL's welcome screen, or should I do a search of some sort? Will either of these open me up to tons of unexpected emails? Am I being paranoid? [just because I am paranoid doesn't mean they aren't actually out to get me]

 

[Ron Eggers]

Proceed cautiously, Ellen.

If they ask for a credit card number for your free credit report, don't give it to them.

Why, you may ask, would anyone give a credit card number for a free credit report?

For the same reason you give AOL that info for a free trial.

And it's just about as hard to cancel.

 

[Mike Labbe]

If they're paying for an ad, you can bet there is a catch. In most cases, you are signing up for some kind of credit guard protection service with a monthly fee. Although, you can call a number and cancel within x days for no charge.

Govt law permits a FREE annual credit report from the 3 top agencies, with no strings attached. You won't, however, get your credit score. (a number). Just a list of all accounts, with any potential positive and negative items listed. It also shows employment history, aliases, residences you have had, etc.

This is a safe and free one. Be aware that some of the agencies may try to "upsell" you some optional services on the way. In all cases, you can hit NO to get to the free report - without providing your credit card #.

http://www.annualcreditreport.com/

You WILL likely find errors. All 3 of them had mistakes for me, including cards that I never had. There are also links to request corrections to anything you disagree with.

Mike

 

[David Waldmann]

You WILL likely find errors.

I found one on mine, however it wasn't the credit report company's error but a mistake on the part of one of my lenders making an incorrect entry. Nonetheless, when you apply for credit somewhere, that's what they see so you probably want to make sure it's right regardless of the reason (unless they give you a better report than you deserve....).

 

[Rick Bergeron - CPF]

Another thing to remember when using the link Mike referenced..... remember the account name (user ID) and password so that you can get the report next year without reentering your info or having a problem. There are a couple of security questions that you are unlikely to know without your latest statement in hand which in our case required the institution, account number, date & amount of the latest mortgage, car and/or other loan information.

Just because you dispute an error doesn't mean that it will be accepted as fact and be removed from the report either.

 

[Dancinbaer]

Just because you dispute an error doesn't mean that it will be accepted as fact and be removed from the report either.

When you send in an error report the credit agency contacts the creditor to confirm. You may have to deal directly with the creditor to have your report changed.