How to get a free credit report? If you’re looking to find a place where you can run a credit check, look no further, we have you covered. There’s actually a number of trust sources you can use to check your credit.
Your credit report contains a nearly complete record of your credit history. Many of your financial applications are based either directly or indirectly on the information in your credit report. It goes without saying that you want to be sure the information in your credit report is accurate.
While most companies recommend that you check your credit report at least once a year, we recommend you check your credit every month. The more you can check your credit report, the quicker you’ll be able to respond to errors.
If you’re using credit cards, have car loans, have other loans, or you’re trying to apply for a mortgage, knowing exactly where you stand is important.
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What Is The Best Site To Get A Free Credit Report
Best Place To Check Credit Score
How To Run A Credit Check On Yourself? Over 18 years ago in 2003, the government passed a law granting every consumer the right to a free report from all 3 credit reporting agencies each year. The website that allows you to do this is called AnnualCreditReport.com, which allows individuals to access their free credit report granted by Federal law.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau confirms that AnnualCreditReport.com is the official website that allows you to access each of your credit reports from all three of the major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) for free. You can obtain one free credit report every 12 months through AnnualCreditReport.com, without signing up, creating an account, or entering your credit card information. Alternatively, you can call 1-877-322-8228 to order your legally free credit report.
These free credit reports are available as a PDF download or the report can be mailed. The downside is that you receive your full credit report, which hasn’t been formatted for user-friendliness. If you have a long credit history, you may have 20, 30, 50 pages in your report. The shorter your credit, the less pages you’re going to receive.
Remember though, this is a credit report, NOT your credit score. To do this, you need to explore some credit score sites. There’s 3 we recommend, you can find these below.
Best Place To Check Credit Score
There’s a few different platforms you can use to check your credit score and monitor your credit.
(1) Credit Sesame
Credit Sesame has a great platform that provides your TransUnion credit report and gives you a number of different tools to monitor your credit. You sign up for a free account by visiting their website account. You are not required to enter any credit card information. Once your free account is created, your membership gives you access to a monthly update of your credit information at the beginning of each month. Although your credit history is only updated once a month, you can check your account anytime you want. On some occasions, they will give you an extra monthly credit update.
Besides your TransUnion credit report information, you’ll also get access to your TransUnion credit score and information online or through the Credit Sesame mobile app. Keeping an eye on your credit is important. It allows you to get alerts if your credit is being used. It also gives you a good idea of what’s impacting your credit positively and what impacts it negatively. Using this information, you’ll be able to improve your credit score over time.
Credit Sesame also evaluates your credit to make recommendations for credit cards, loans, and other financial products.
(2) Credit Karma
Credit Karma is another popular platform that allows you to check your credit history and scores. Founded in 2007, Credit Karma partnered with 2 of the 3 major credit bureaus, Equifax and TransUnion. If you have an account with them, you can get your credit scores for free.
To get your credit scores, you’ll need to create an account. While you’re required to create an account, you don’t have to pay to get your Transunion and Equifax credit scores. You can access your credit reports at any time by logging into your account either directly through your web browser or through their mobile app. Your credit report information is updated as often as once per week, giving you continued access to changes in your credit information.
You’ll have access to your credit report information along with an explanation of the factors that are currently contributing to your credit score. Credit Karma also uses your free credit report information to show credit card and loan offers that you may qualify for based on your credit standing. You don’t have to take advantage of these offers if you’re not on the market for a new credit card or loan product.
(3) MyFICO
FICO is one of the most common scores used by lenders and creditors. While the platform is not free, it does give you access to the most used credit scoring system.
MyFICO, a division of Fair Isaac, is an excellent place to obtain and monitor your FICO scores. For new customers, myFICO offers a few options to obtain your FICO score online directly from the company that created the FICO score.
- Receive an updated report and scores monthly.
- Receive and access your initial report and scores immediately.
- Monitor your credit report at Equifax as well as your FICO 8 score.
- Access several credit score simulators, including FICO Score 9 (new) and other mortgage/auto lending scoring categories.
- Watch your Equifax progress with the FICO Score 8 historical tracking graph.
- Get notified when you reach your target score or when you qualify for a better interest rate.
- Receive alerts when unexpected changes to your credit report cause a score to drop.
Both of the monthly service options also include the following features, standard:
- Lost Wallet Protection: This provides coverage for credit cards, passports, military ID cards, travelers cheques, drivers’ licenses, checkbooks, insurance cards, and more. Restrictions may apply.
- 24/7 Full-Service Identity Restoration: If an identity thief misuses your personal information, myFICO is available 24/7 to help. Their certified resolution specialists will help you every step of the way.
- $1 Million Identity Theft Insurance: If you become a victim of identity theft, they’ll reimburse covered expenses related to credit restoration (this includes legal fees, lost wages, and more)–up to $1 million. See myFICO.com for more information.
In Closing
Monitoring your credit is key to obtaining a high credit score and maintaining that credit score over the long run. You should be checking your credit every month and with the resources above, you’ll be able to do that anytime you want.
If you have bad or poor credit, it’s not too late to fix your credit. Check out these credit cards for poor credit. With a little effort, education, and resources, you can get your credit score back on track.
