| If you are someone who is interested in improving your | | | | delinquencies. |
| credit rating, then you have likely looked into getting | | | | Given the current economic climate and the rise in |
| your credit report recently. Everyone in the United | | | | credit defaults, people have become more nervous |
| States is entitled to one free copy of their credit report | | | | and there will always be those who will prey on |
| each year. | | | | vulnerable people. This has led to a rise in imposter |
| However, if you are online you might notice there are | | | | websites offering to give you a free credit score |
| many websites who claim to offer a free credit score | | | | check. Websites may allow you to order your credit |
| check. This might seem really enticing to you, however | | | | report, but if they are offering you a free credit score |
| you must be careful about giving out your private | | | | they are likely an imposter website. |
| information to these websites. There are plenty of | | | | This means that if you sign up to get the "free" offer, |
| ways that fraudsters can use your details and the last | | | | you are probably also signing up for a continuity |
| thing you need is someone applying for borrowing | | | | service which will charge you monthly without your |
| facilities using your name. | | | | knowledge. These types of schemes are notoriously |
| The Fair Credit Reporting Act requires that the three | | | | difficult to cancel and you could end up owing even |
| reporting agencies provide you with a free copy of | | | | more money than you do now. |
| your credit report once every 12 months at your | | | | They might ask you to sign up for a free trial of a |
| request. This includes Equifax, Experian and Trans | | | | service that you do not realize turns into a paid service |
| Union. Your credit report will have information such as | | | | after the trial. If you do not cancel during the trial period, |
| your employer, any bankruptcies, your address | | | | you might find a really exorbitant charge on your credit |
| information, what bills you currently have and other | | | | card each month after that. If you want a free credit |
| pertinent information about your credit rating. | | | | score check, it is unlikely that you will find such a |
| Another important thing to know is your score. Each of | | | | service. |
| the bureaus has their own credit scoring system using | | | | However, you can pay to see your credit scores even |
| different parameters such as the length of time you | | | | though your credit report was free. |
| have had credit, what kind of credit you have and any | | | | |