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Get A Credit Report For Free

Written by Toi Williams on Dec 28th, 2010 | Filed under: credit score

Getting a credit report for free is an important step for maintaining a good credit history.  When a credit report is obtained, you can review your credit report for any errors that may decrease your credit score or review your accounts to make sure that no other person has opened accounts in your name. 

Mistakes in a credit history can hamper your ability to purchase a home, purchase a car, or obtain a credit card.  It can also result in lenders charging you a higher interest rate than you would have qualified for with a better credit score. 

There are a couple of methods that can be used to get a credit report for free and some may consider one method better than the other.

Commercial Websites

There are many websites available that show how to get a credit report for free.  The most popular websites typically offer a credit report from one of the three major credit reporting agencies.  A credit report from any these agencies will provide a comprehensive view of anything that has affected your credit report over the last 7 years. 

The credit reports received from the credit reporting bureaus list accounts that have been opened, late or missed payments reported, and credit limits for the accounts.  Having this information allows you to check for any items that do not belong in your credit file.  It also gives you the ability to dispute any mistakes on the credit report before it ruins your chances of obtaining a loan or being assigned a low interest rate for a credit product.

Government Sponsored Websites

There is one website where individuals can get a credit report for free without any strings attached.  The website, www.annualcreditreport.com, is run by the three major credit reporting agencies on behalf of the federal government to comply with a law that states that the credit reporting bureaus must give each consumer one free copy of their credit report every year when requested.  This provides each person with three credit reports to review each year without any of the additional services required by other websites that offer credit reports for free.


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