Wednesday, August 22, 2007

What you should know about "Free" Credit Reports

In 2003 Congress passed legislation that allows for every American to get a free look at their credit report once a year. You will run across many Web sites out there that will talk about "free reports."
You should know there is only one site authorized by Congress to give you that annual "free report " and it is www.AnnualCreditReport.com the toll free number is 1-877-322-8228. You will get a report but there will not be any scores on your report.
You will not need to know scores at this point. Here is some basic information about what will negatively put low scores on your record, collections, 30 day late payments, skipping out on rent payments, co-signing for a car loan that goes bad, late payments on student loans, etc.
A young college age person can damage their credit and not even realize it. One 30 day late payment, will give you a derogatory report. If you don't have any credit cards, installment loans for cars, etc., or any creditor that doesn't report to any of the three main credit agencies, it is not likely that you will even have any scores.
Be wary of the "free reports" as the chances are they'll offer you about every type of service under the sun and it will carry a price tag! You could end up with a credit monitoring service that might prove costly and maybe even some other services as well, that may have nothing to do with your credit at all, but there will be a cost.
For my money, if you absolutely think you must have your credit scores, you can get them at www.AnnualCreditReport.com for a charge of under $10.00 but your report will actually be free!

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