How often should I check my credit report?
You may want to consider checking what’s on your credit report at least once a year. That’s right at least once a year get a copy of all three of your credit reports. You’ll want to know what each credit bureau (TransUnion, Experian and Equifax) have listed on your reports. You don’t want any surprises when you apply for credit or seek new employment. So, as a general rule it’s a good idea to get copies of your reports at least once a year! You will also be able to find out whether or not someone has ordered credit in your name without your authorization. Here are some tips and information which may assist you in your quest to get your credit reports: 1) How do I go about contacting the credit report bureaus? You contact the bureaus either in writing or via the internet with the following information: TransUnion, P.O. Box 2000, Chester, PA. 19022,800-888-4213,www.transunion.com; Equifax, P.O. Box 740256, Atlanta, GA. 30374, 877-784-2528 ,www.equifax.com; Experian, P.O.
Many financial experts agree that you should check your credit report at least once a month. Creditors generally send updates to the credit bureaus once every month. Therefore, your account information should be updated once a month as well. If you are expecting an important change in one or more of your accounts, or if you are closely monitoring your credit history, you may want to check your credit report more often. All creditors do not send updates to the bureaus on the same day. The credit bureaus are constantly receiving updates. There is no easy way to tell exactly when a creditor will send new information to the bureaus, or when the bureaus will update their databases. However, it is common for the same creditor to update records on the same day of each month. Thus, it is beneficial to choose the same day each month to check your credit report.
Even if you have an excellent credit history, there’s always the possibility that inaccurate information could sneak onto your credit report. Review your credit report annually (and correct any errors) to protect against problems caused by errors or fraud. In these situations, it is especially important to check your report, even more than once/year: • Several months before seeking a major loan; • If your wallet has been stolen or lost, check your credit report several times in the following year Free credit reports available annually As of 2005, new law gives consumers the right to one free credit report a year from each of the three national credit bureaus. A centralized request process is available for your convenience… • On-line at: www.annualcreditreport.com • By phone, toll-free: 877-322-8228 • By mail: Complete the Annual Credit Report Request Form (pdf) and mail it to: Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O.
