Where Can You Really Get a Copy of Your Free Credit Reports?

The offers are everywhere! Commercials with catchy jingles, free offers, scare tactics about identity theft and poor credit, it’s hard to miss them. So what’s the real deal? Is everyone allowed to give away free copies of your credit report?

There are many websites that offer a free copy of your credit report but most of them will only do it if you sign up for other services like “credit monitoring.”  The only place recommended by the Federal Trade Commission is “annualcreditreport” dot “com” which is set up by the three credit reporting agencies.  You can also call them at 1-877-322-8228.

If you’ve already gotten your free credit report for the year, you can get an additional copy of your credit report if you have been denied credit (by a credit card company, loan, etc.) within 60 days.  You can also purchase a copy if you need to for about $10. For More information and FAQ, visit the Federal Trade Commission’s website at “ftc” dot “gov”

Why is it a good idea to check my credit? It’s a good idea to review your credit report and score on a regular bases for several very important reasons including: Identity theft, inaccuracies, unauthorized activity and to see who has been checking your credit aside from you. The information in your credit report can affect your ability to secure a loan (car loan, home loan, student loan and more) and can also determine what type of interest rate you receive from your credit card company.

So remember, you can receive a free copy of your credit report without signing up for any additional services and it’s a good idea to review the information in your credit report on a regular bases. 

To learn more about good personal finance practices visit www.creditcardinfohub.com where you’ll find this and other articles including 5 Easy Steps to Financial, Credit and Debt Relief.