| Yes, there is a way for you to obtain a free credit | | | | advised to check all three versions of your credit |
| report that's not a cover for hidden fees, and doesn't | | | | history at the same time. |
| involve embarrassing yourself by being turned down | | | | You make your request. Now comes the tricky part - |
| for a credit card. | | | | the program wants to verify first of all that it's dealing |
| A provision of the 2003 Fair and Accurate Credit | | | | with a human being, and second that the human being |
| Transactions Act requires TransUnion, Equifax and | | | | it's dealing with is you and not an identity thief. So you |
| Experian to provide a free credit report once a year | | | | will be asked a series of questions based upon actual |
| to any consumer who requests one. Accessing credit | | | | information contained in your files. |
| information in this manner does not lower a | | | | It's a good idea to prepare for this interview |
| consumer's credit score. | | | | beforehand by assembling a set of your current bills. |
| How can you take advantage of this service? It's | | | | While you may easily remember the names of any |
| easy. Simply set your browser to the Annual Credit | | | | current lenders, the actual account number under |
| Report website. When you access the site, you will be | | | | which your loan was issued is another story, and you |
| asked which state you reside in. After you have | | | | may be asked to provide information about both. |
| provided that information, you will be taken to a screen | | | | After you've answered these questions correctly, you |
| where you will be asked to provide basic information | | | | will be asked whether you want your credit scores, or |
| confirming your identity. | | | | just a free copy of your report. Your credit scores are |
| Once the registration process is complete, you will be | | | | not free: Experian charges you $5.95 for its |
| asked to choose which of the three credit bureaus | | | | VantageScore, Equifax and TransUnion each charge |
| you want to receive a report from. Remember you | | | | $7.95 to access your FICO information. If you elect to |
| are entitled to one free report from each over the | | | | buy your credit scores, you will be asked to enter |
| course of 12 months. If you are using the Annual Credit | | | | credit card information. |
| Report's website for routine credit monitoring, your | | | | After this transaction is complete, you will be taken to |
| best bet is to order a report from a different bureau | | | | the website of the credit bureau you requested and |
| every four months. However, if you are planning a | | | | given access to your financial data. |
| major purchase like a car or a house, you'd be well | | | | |