Free Instant Credit Reports – Score

Ann Born asked:




Not too long ago, we had to guess at how stable our credit score and rating was. Not any longer. Now we can get a free instant credit report without a credit card. The problem is where to get it? You want to see your credit report and rating in order to understand whether it’s heading down the right road or down the tubes. But you have no idea how to go about it. For years the only people that had access to your credit report were the banks and creditors. Not anymore. You have access to your own information.

If you are looking to obtain a free credit report without a credit card, you will need to understand that it is likely to be very different from the yearly report you may already receive. The yearly report only shows your credit report status on a monthly basis with accounts that have recently been opened or closed, just the rating. Obtaining a free credit report status is a great idea for those that are already aware of their rating but would like to understand their credit score. The score is based on your entire credit history not just the month.

Obtaining a free credit report without a credit card will allow you to understanding your credit rating and credit score. You will be able to determine where you stand on the credit rating scale that the banks use. Your credit report status will help you determine your standings based on a bar of two different colors. The green section of this bar indicates a high or positive credit rating, the red side of this bar indicates poor credit rating that needs improvement. Assess your credit rating with a free instant credit report without a credit card.

Reginald

Zach Ford asked:




Your FICO score, calculated by information in your credit report, is one of the most valuable tools in your financial arsenal. FICO (named after Fair Issac Corp, the company that pioneered credit scoring) mathematically calculates your late or timely payments and other factors in your credit history into a number that indicates how good a credit risk you would be.

Hundreds of bits of financial information are used in calculating your score and it’s important to be certain that some of those factors aren’t errors or even credit fraud. Therefore, you should check your credit report and FICO score at least once a year and even more frequently if you relocate, change jobs or open new accounts. Quickly correcting any errors that may be in your report is vital to your financial health.

Another, very important, reason to check your credit report is your present and future employers. Checking a job applicant’s report has become standard practice in trying to determine if they’d be a good fit with the company. You can see how an error or fraudulent entry in your credit report can make a significant impact on your life!

You can obtain a copy of your credit report and FICO score by either going online or using the postal service. Experian, TransUnion and Equifax, the three agencies, offer free copies of your report and FICO score once per year. You will find forms online that you can use to request these reports. Take care, however, that you don’t inadvertently get taken in by the many look-alike websites that often imitate these legitimate reporting agencies. The imitators will offer the free reports but in authorizing it, you’re actually signing up for a monthly credit reporting service that will charge you a fee. Unless you want this type of service, be very careful to read all the agreements and fine print, even on the three legitimate websites.

Checking your credit report and FICO score at least once per year will help insure that you stay financially healthy and maintain your good credit reputation.

Tina