Archive for June, 2010

How can I order my free credit report from another country?

VEHill asked:


I am an American citizen living in Europe. I’ve been to the website to order my free credit report but it always tells me that I must be in the US to do it. Am I going to have to wait until I visit to do it, or what?

Danny
 

Check Credit Report To Avoid Theft And Other Problems!

asked:




Glenda
 

Free Credit Reports Are Not Always Free

Christopher Luck asked:




According to an amendment to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, you can obtain a free credit report on yourself for free one time every year. However, just like with any new law or service, there are people out there looking to take advantage of you. So be aware of what you see when looking for your credit report; not every service claiming to offer you a free credit report is actually offering one.

To get your free credit report, you really only need to go to the annual credit report website. If you go to the Federal Trade Commission’s website, you will find all the information you really need to get your free credit report. You only need your name, social security number, date of birth, and address to get the free report. As easy as it is, there are still many companies out there who want to get the business of people like you who are seeking their free credit report.

One way these companies take advantage of people is by establishing a web address that is very similar to the legitimate government websites for obtaining a free credit report. They will harvest your social security number, address, and other personal information under the claim that you will get a free credit report. Remember, you can get one by going through the Federal Trade Commission. Be aware that you should never have to supply a credit card number or telephone number to obtain your free credit report. Your address, name, social security number, and date of birth are all you need.

You should never respond to an email to get your free credit report. Remember that that getting the report is a right you have. Some companies, in an effort to get your personal information, will send spam emails advertising access to your free credit report. These companies are usually just Phishing for your personal information. Never respond to emails to get your credit report. Instead, the information is easy to obtain through the proper government channels that are readily available to you.

Congress has given you the right to obtain a free credit report on yourself once every year. The government has given you access to the free report through the Federal Trade Commission website so that you do not have to worry. You will get emails, see on line advertising, and even get pop up ads that advertise free credit reports. Keep in mind, though, that many of these companies are not interested in getting you your report as much as they are getting a hold of your information. There is no reason to use these companies, legitimate or not, to obtain your free credit report when you can do it through the Federal Trade Commission. Your information is vital to your financial well being and in the wrong hands could do a lot of damage to your credit. In order to avoid these pitfalls, the best thing to do to get your free credit report is to go through the government.

Francisco
 

Does anyone know how to check the free credit score If already have the free annual credit report?

kym asked:


I get my free credit report every year. I need to know how I can get my free credit score I’d appreciate any good answers someone can teach me, how to get free credit score report.

William
 

Free Credit Report With Score – Understanding Credit Score Made Easy

Bart Newman asked:




Equifax, TransUnion and Experian are nationwide consumer reporting companies required by the Fair Credit Reporting Act or FCRA to provide consumers a copy of their free credit report with score each year. This Act is implemented by the Federal Trade Commission, a consumer protection agency that also promotes privacy and accuracy of information from these three companies.

In general, a credit score is the measure of credit risk computed from a collection of credit reports using a standardized formula. It includes information of your address, how you pay your bills, and whether you have filed for bankruptcy or have been sued or arrested. The scale for credit score ranges from 349 to 849; indicative, for example, that a 640 rating will most likely give you difficulty getting a good loan. This kind of information are sold by consumer reporting companies to insurers, creditors, employers and businesses for evaluation of your credit, employment, insurance and home rental.

So why would you want to have a copy of your credit report? Because it contains information whether you can get a loan and how much you will have to pay; to make sure that it is up-to-date, accurate, and complete before doing a major purchase for car, insurance, house or even to apply for a job. Getting your report on a regular basis makes you manage your accounts well and lets you venture on possible ways to improve or raise your score. This is also one of the many ways to combat identity theft which has been widespread today especially to internet-related transactions.

To get a free credit report with score, you need to provide your name, date of birth, address, and Social Security number. You may also need to indicate previous addresses if you have moved in the last two years. To ensure your security, every nationwide consumer reporting company asks for information that is exclusive to you.

Along with the credit report, it is also advisable to request for credit monitoring to be updated of any strange transaction or activity on your accounts such as change of account information and opening and closing of investments and bank accounts.

Usually a free credit report with score can be accessed immediately although it may even take longer if the nationwide consumer reporting company requires more information to verify your identity.

Under a state law, consumers living in Vermont, Georgia, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Maryland have access to free credit report with score.

Jon
 

Credit Score vs Credit Report

Chris Yarbrough asked:




Free Credit Reports are Your Right!

You’ve seen the ads: Get your free credit report here! The hard sell seems excessive since the report is free, right? Read the fine print. The Free Credit Report companies require a credit card that will not be billed as long as you cancel this service within 30 days of registering. If you forget to cancel in time, you may be required to pay over $20 a month for a listing of all your credit obligations, past and present.

This does not mean that you shouldn’t take advantage of the opportunity to review your credit report. Register for your free credit report, print out a copy and then call the toll free number immediately to save yourself the unplanned monthly fee.

Be prepared to ignore the add-on sales efforts the website will send your way. They are likely to offer you your credit rating (a number that alerts potential lenders to their risk level of letting you borrow money) and for yet another fee, they will explain what you credit report and that number mean.

Credit report vs Credit Rating

A credit report lists all the important financial data about you. Good, and bad, it is all in there. You are guaranteed by the United States Government one (1) free credit report per year. You will not be required to input any credit card data at all.

These are 100% free, and are part of a legislative package approved by congress, and signed by President Bush.

What’s the catch? Once you use your freebie, you either have to wait an entire year, or pay for your next one. Requesting a copy of your own credit report will not effect your credit rating. It is only effected when a creditor requests it.

A credit score is a number used by creditors to determine your ability to repay loans. This number moves up or down based on your payment history. Timely payments increase your score, while late payments decrease your score. You are not guaranteed a free credit score.

Visit [http://www.dreamhouseproject.com] for more information on how to obtain your free report directly from the three reporting agencies.

Nathaniel