Looking for your sample credit report? How about getting your full credit report for free. You can now get your full credit report for free if you know how. Well, that is if you do not want to view your credit report instantly online.
So how do you go about getting your credit report for free? Well, in 2003 the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act was passed to allow consumers the right to get a free copy of their credit report within a 12 month period.
What’s great about this is that you are able to get your report from all three credit agencies (Experian, Equifax and Transunion).
The act was passed to allow people to stay informed about the information on their credit report and to alert the credit agencies of any errors that might be on your credit report.
Here are the 3 ways you can get your annual credit report:
1) Go to www.annualcreditreport.com
2) Call (877) 322-8228 to request your free credit report.
3) Complete a form from the Federal Trade Comission, http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/include/requestformfinal.pdf and mail it to: Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281.
If you choose to go to the three big agencies you might just end up paying for it indirectly. However, depending on your situation you might just need their constantly updating credit file service where they alert you whenever there is a change on your credit file.
If you are however, ok with getting your credit file just once a year from the big three then the 3 methods listed about will allow you to get your annual report for free. You can choose to receive your reports all at once or stagger them over the year.
That might just be a great idea so you make sure you keep abreast of all that is happening on your credit file throught the year.
You can also choose to get your report after a major financial event to take a look at your financial standing. For example if you get a mortgage, or apply for a student loan etc. All of these can affect your credit file.
What you should note is that this new Act does not replace the other methods you can take advantage of to get your free credit report. However, take advantage of this regulation and make sure all the information the agencies have on you are correct and accurate.