Time to check that credit report!

As I logged onto my computer this morning, a friendly ‘Check your credit report!’ popped up on my Outlook calendar along with a list of the most recent reports I’ve run and the last scores. Every four months I check my report from one of the three credit agencies. If I keep an organized rotation, I never have to pay for this service (free once per year from each agency).

Not only does this prevent your credit from being misused, it also gives you a clear picture of where you stand financially.

If you’d like to join me, next on the list:

Trans Union

I’ll remind you again in four months! Happy Credit Score!

Update: I forgot to say where to go for the free reports. Please visit http://www.ftc.gov/freereports for the only TRUE free credit reports. Thanks L!

Posted by Beks on May 7, 2009 at 5:00 AM in :), Credit Cards, Credit Reports/FICO, General Personal Finance, Good Info | 6 Comments »
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  1. L responded:
    Posted: May 7th, 2009 at 8:22 am

    Beks!! You are so right! But please amend your post to remind people there is only one site where you can get your federally-mandated free reports. If you go somewhere else you end up with continuity plans or paying for things you don’t need. And if you go straight to Trans Union, it won’t be free. Here’s the link: http://www.ftc.gov/freereports
    Thanks! Love your posts!

  2. Yellow Piggy Bank responded:
    Posted: May 7th, 2009 at 8:59 pm

    This is a great idea. I didn’t know you could spread it out. I thought you had to get all 3 at one time.

  3. Anonymouse responded:
    Posted: May 7th, 2009 at 10:05 pm

    I usually try to do all three in one shot. But so far the last couple times TransUnion wouldn’t accept my online verification to view my info and recommended snail-mail forms instead. I think that is just their way to discourage users. The other two agencies work fine.

  4. Beks responded:
    Posted: May 7th, 2009 at 11:05 pm

    L – You are so right! I totally forgot to mention that! I’ll update it!

  5. Mike M responded:
    Posted: May 12th, 2009 at 1:32 pm

    TransUnion has given me the most fits accessing my credit report, too…

    However, that said, I *LIKE* the fact that it is difficult to get to. I don’t want just anybody who knows a few basic facts about me being able to access the report fraudulently.

    Further, I *REALLY* like TransUnion more than the other two for one particular reason – TransUnion allows you to freeze your credit report and lift the freeze whenever you want for FREE!!! The others charge at least $5 to freeze and $5 to thaw. Sure, they’ll do the “fraud alert” for free, but that only lasts so long and it is still way too easy to get credit opened in someone’s name even when they have that alert.

    I froze all three reports and love not having to worry – it is MUCH harder for someone to steal my identity now. Sure, it has its bumps – if I want to open a new credit account or bank account online, etc, I have to lift the freeze. But I just ask the merchant/bank which one to lift. If they use Equifax or Experian, it might cost me $10 (my report and my wife’s report). If it’s TransUnion, its free.

    There is a price, but it also keeps me from randomly opening credit accounts (not that that was a big issue), and its the cheapest ID theft protection I can get….

  6. Nicole responded:
    Posted: May 20th, 2009 at 11:32 am

    I’ll have to go check mine out. It might be interesting:)

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