Free Credit Reports Your Free Credit Report

Obtain Your free credit report from a company that gathers and provides credit report information. These are called "consumer reporting agencies" (CRAs). A CRA collects information about credit activities, stores that data in computer databases and supplies most the recently collected date for a fee. The information supplied to creditors, employers, insurers, and other businesses are called "consumer reports." Your local credit bureau is the most visible and common credit reporting agency.

To obtain a free credit report, write to the credit bureau and request a copy of your credit history. If you have been denied employment based on derogatory credit reports, are unemployed (but planning to seek employment within the next 60 days), a welfare recipient or victim of fraud, you can receive your free credit report as a service from the bureau. A request for your credit report should include your full legal name (including Jr., Sr., II etc.), your date of birth and social security number, a copy of a current utility or some other bill, a copy of your valid driver’s license, current and previous addresses within the last five years and current home telephone number, your current employer (if employed) and should be signed.

Apply for a copy of your credit report at least 2 to 3 months before applying for a credit card, loan, lease or service that requires credit information such as a cell phone. This enables you to review your credit history for errors and have those errors corrected in advance of making your application.

Obtaining a secure credit score can leave you free of higher interest payments and debts. By utilizing the services from the bureau you can receive your free credit report and be up to date on your credit rating. A less than satisfying credit score can be avoided with regular monitoring of your credit report information.

NOTE: In a recent release the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) describes how you can access Free Credit Reports in accordance with new regulations just introduced. At the time of this writing not all areas are eligible. The FTC report indicates which jurisdictions are currently applicable.