Free credit report!

[Stephen]

As of today, residents in eastern states (including New England) are eligible to recieve their credit reports for free once per year. You can access your report from the big three (Transunion, Equifax and Experian) by visiting:

https://www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/index.jsp

I just got all three of mine. It's relatively painless. They ask some verification questions to ensure it's really you.

Note that this is a federally mandated program, not the "get a free credit report and we charge you $80/year for protection service" scam.

-Stephen

 

[SkiDog]

As of today, residents in eastern states (including New England) are eligible to recieve their credit reports for free once per year. You can access your report from the big three (Transunion, Equifax and Experian) by visiting:

https://www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/index.jsp

I just got all three of mine. It's relatively painless. They ask some verification questions to ensure it's really you.

Note that this is a federally mandated program, not the "get a free credit report and we charge you $80/year for protection service" scam.

-Stephen

No score though..right? I know its great to make sure noones been making inquiries on your behalf and for fixes old issues or mistake, but trust me fixing the mistakes is SOOO hard.
I recently had TransUnion reporting that I was late 30 days on a mortgage in 2003...well that mortgage was CLOSED in 2001, how could it be late in 2003?? You'd think the computer system would have a "fail safe" for stuff like that? I also had a VW loan that was paid last year still showing as OPEN...was paid in full. Wasnt showing as late ro anything, but doesnt look good on debt to income ratio. You really have to keep up with these creditors even if you pay your bills on time. I unlike Stephen do use a pay service that keeps my posted when someone makes an inquiry, im only testing it out at this point, but I don't mind the charge for the protection.

M

 

[ctenidae]

Thanks for the reminder, Stephen. I've been waiting.
On getting your score- my Providian card offers free FICO scores, plus alerts if it moves 20 points. Worth getting a Providian card (as long as it's no-fee) just for that.

 

[ski_resort_observer]

I'm with Skidog on this. Much better to pay a few bucks to keep updated on your credit report.

I had a Providian card once...just another bank trying to make a buck. I think the issue with them was that they charged each month for credit insurance even tho all my cards are protected under a private credit insurance company and even if you have a zero balance. I would keep my eye on Providian.

 

[dmc]

I pay a small fee through my credit union..
It gives me unlimited access to my credit report(all 3) and notifies me when they're accessed...

I was getting notified every other day when I closed on my house..

It's a good service in these times...

 

[ctenidae]

I don't have the credit protection on any cards- I keep the balances small or $0, so it's not a worry. Providian hasn't treated me badly in the past few years, so I'm not worried- no fee, little use, less than $50 balance.

Word of advice- don't get all three reports at once. Get one, check it, then get another to check any updates or corrections, or save them and get one per quarter.