You free annual credit report is available now a days because the government has mandated that you get them for free every year. Your free annual credit report can be obtained at AnnualCreditReport, the only site you can actually receive your report for free, no strings attached. The three national credit reporting agencies, Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, created AnnualCreditReport specifically for individuals to freely view their reports.

• How to receive your free annual credit report

To receive your free credit report, you need to log into AnnualCreditReport. Before you can access your report, you will need basic information to ensure you can see your report—and to make sure it is your report, not another Jane Doe’s credit report. You will need to enter your SSN, name, birth date, and address. They will also ask a specific question which only you will be able to answer to finally ensure it is you.
free annual credit report
You can request all three free credit reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion at the same time or separately. It is your choose whichever way you like, but you can only request them once a year.

If would rather not use the Internet to receive your free annual credit report, you can call or mail in a request. Return time on your free credit report can be up to fifteen days.

• Information found on your free annual credit report

When you receive your free annual credit report, you will find significant information which you should double check to make sure everything is correct. Numerous credit reports contain errors and could detrimentally affect future purchases you wish to make. Information you can find on your annual credit report includes personal information, such as your name and SSN. Some have your spouse’s name included, as well.

Your credit history is also listed, which lays out your interaction and payments with banks, stores, and companies. These show what credit you have, what you have spent per month, what late or missed payments you have, any outstanding debts, as well as past loans you have paid off.

Interactions you have had in public services are also included. If you have filed for bankruptcy or if you have had issues with your taxes in the past could show up. Essentially it is information which could show how your future credit worthiness could be affected.

Your free annual credit report also states what places have been given your credit report to either examine your report (such as lenders) or will send you credit offers because you match their approval (those endless credit card advertisements you get in the mail).

If you have ever had issues with your credit report and have disputed mistakes, this will also show up on your credit report.

• Keep your report in good standing

To keep your free annual credit report in good standing, you need to first make sure that your report is accurate. Keep thorough records during the year and compare them with your report. Also make sure your income stays in good proportion (under twenty percent, at least) to your income and pay your loans on time. This way when you check your free annual credit report again it will definitely be better than the previous time.