| Unfortunately along with the holiday season usually | | | | You can order all three credit reports at one time, |
| comes an increase in credit card fraud and identity | | | | but it may be a better idea to check one company |
| theft, so right after the holidays is a great time to | | | | one month, wait a few months, then check another |
| check your credit report. The following article will | | | | company, then the third company a few months |
| show you why, when and how to check your credit | | | | later. This way you are getting three free credit |
| report... | | | | reports a year, and you are checking several times a |
| Why you should check your credit report | | | | year, so you are more likely to catch errors and/or |
| * to check for errors | | | | fraud. |
| * to check for fraud and identity theft | | | | Go to to request your free credit report online. This |
| * to get the best interest rates | | | | is the only authorized source for consumers to check |
| * more and more people are relying on credit scores | | | | their credit report online for free. There are |
| - car insurance, employers, etc. | | | | commercials and websites for other companies who |
| When to check your credit report: | | | | claim to offer your credit report online for free, but |
| * Once a year if you have good credit and don't | | | | they are generally selling a service or they are a |
| anticipate any large purchases in the near future | | | | scam. |
| * Before a major purchase, such as a new home, | | | | In addition, you can call 1-877-322-8228, or you can |
| new car, etc. - should request your credit report 6 | | | | write for your free credit report at: Annual Credit |
| months ahead of a big purchase so you have time to | | | | Report Request Service, PO Box 105281, Atlanta, GA |
| correct any errors | | | | 30348-5281. |
| * If you've been denied a credit card, loan or other | | | | Finally, you can purchase a 3-in-1 report, which is |
| product or service because of your credit (you are | | | | basically getting all three reports from each of the |
| entitled to a free credit report if you have been | | | | credit bureaus. This is a good idea if you have never |
| denied credit based on information found in your | | | | requested your credit report before, or if you |
| report) | | | | suspect fraud. You can purchase your 3-in-1 credit |
| * If you suspect that your identity has been stolen | | | | report at |
| * If you are starting a plan to get out of debt or | | | | Regardless of what time of year it is, it's important |
| repair your credit. | | | | to check your credit report periodically to make sure |
| How to check your credit: | | | | there are no errors and that you have not become a |
| There are three credit reporting agencies (Equifax, | | | | victim of identity theft or fraud. |
| Experian and TransUnion), and they are required to | | | | But it's even more important to check your credit |
| provide you with one free credit report each year. | | | | report right after the holidays to make sure that you |
| The three agencies do not always share the same | | | | didn't become a victim of fraud during the busiest |
| information, so it's important to check all three. | | | | shopping days of the year. |