You can get a free credit report. But do you know how to read and understand it? This interactive guide will help.
Everyone's entitled by law to look at their credit report from each of the three credit bureaus once every 12 months free of charge, or you can buy a credit report from each of the three bureaus if you want to view your report more often.
The three U.S. credit bureaus -- Equifax, Experian and TransUnion -- set up AnnualCreditReport.com as a central online resource to request your reports. You can also request your reports by calling (877) 322-8228 or by downloading a request form and mailing it to Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281.
We'll walk you through the process, and then, in an interactive example, show you what you will see.
When visiting AnnualCreditReport.com, users are asked to select their state of residence, then they are directed to a page to fill out basic personal information. On that page, users have the option of selecting whether they want their entire Social Security number or just the last four digits displayed on the bureau reports.
After they fill in and submit their basic information, users go to an instruction page telling them that AnnualCreditReport.com will direct them off the central site to each individual bureau site, and to click the "Return to AnnualCreditReport.com" button after they've viewed the bureau's report.
The next page features check boxes next to the Equifax, Experian and TransUnion logos. Users can select one or all of the credit bureaus by clicking the boxes next to the bureaus' respective logos.
The three credit bureau sites have similar interfaces, each with the same menu bar atop it:
TransUnion
Experian
Equifax
Many consumers have a difficult time understanding their credit reports and piecing the three reports together, so here are examples and explanations of the most common elements that appear in each of the three free credit bureau reports. Roll over the information icon () for explanations:
123 CHARLES ST.
SUITE 202
CORONA, CA 92877-0137
(909) 898-4424
Balance: $0 Date verified: 06/2003 Original balance: $243 Original creditor: SEARS ROEBUCK Credit limit: $500 Past due: $0 Terms: $72 for 23 months
Pay status: Payment after charge off/collection
Account type: Installment account
Responsibility: Individual account Date opened: 03/2000 Date closed: 05/2003 Date paid: 05/2003
Remarks: >Paid collection< Estimated date that this item will be removed: 08/2007
DONOVAN & WILSON
1045 MAIN ST., SUITE 105
RIVERSIDE, CA 92501
(909) 781-1248
Balance: $12,745 Date updated: 06/2004 Original balance: $15,243
Pay status: 120 days past due
Account type: Revolving account
Responsibility: Individual account
Estimated date that this item will be removed: 06/2006
The following item is suppressed pending credit grantor update:
DISCOVER FINANCIAL SVC #6053000570658798
123 SMITH AVE.
UNIT 55G
WILMINGTON, DE 19850-5316
Phone number not available
Balance: $2,145 Date updated: 08/2004 High balance: $25,463
Collateral: 1998 Dodge Ram
Past due: $136 Terms: $68 for 260 months
Pay status: 60 days past due
Account type: Installment account
Responsibility: Individual account Date opened: 11/1994
Loan type: Student loan Remarks: Repossession
Maximum delinquency of 60 days in 07/2004 for $400 Estimated date that this item will be removed: 06/2006
ID SECURITY ALERT: FRAUDULENT APPLICATIONS MAY BE SUBMITTED IN MY NAME OR MY IDENTITY MAY HAVE BEEN USED WITHOUT MY CONSENT TO FRAUDULENTLY OBTAIN GOODS OR SERVICES. DO NOT EXTEND CREDIT WITHOUT FIRST VERIFYING THE IDENTITY OF THE APPLICANT. I CAN BE REACHED AT 917-555-1212. THIS SECURITY ALERT WILL BE MAINTAINED FOR 90 DAYS BEGINNING 05-29-08.
Consumer credit report statement sample letters – Our collection of sample letters -- tailored to satisfy each of the Big Three credit bureaus and fit several situations -- can help you plead your case on your credit report. ...
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