Security and financial experts recommend reviewing your credit report at least once a year to ensure that the records kept by the major credit bureaus are accurate and that no unauthorized person is using your name or accounts illegally.
Under the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act, consumers in Washington, Idaho, Oregon, and other states are eligible for a free credit report each year. In the report, you'll learn:
Credit reports are maintained by the three largest credit bureaus -- Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian. You can order a free credit report from one or all of them each year for free.
Your report should arrive 15 days after your order is received. You can request a report from each bureau every 12 months.
No. Your credit report is only a snapshot of your financial history. It contains information on where you live, how you pay your bills, and whether you've been sued, or filed for bankruptcy. The bureaus sell the information in your report to creditors, insurers, employers, and other businesses that use it to evaluate your applications for credit, insurance, employment, or renting a home.
Your credit report, however, does not include your "credit score," the number used by some lenders and credit card companies to decide whether to loan you money and at what terms.
Yes. To verify your free credit report order, the bureaus need to have your Social Security Number, birthdate, and other personal information. If you don't want to send this information through the Internet, use the toll-free number listed above.
Credit reports are maintained by the credit bureaus, not STCU or any other lender. If you find a mistake in your credit report, please report it directly to the bureaus. They are the only ones who can fix a mistake.
There are several companies that offer free credit reports, but also a bunch of other services that cost money. The only authorized source of free credit reports are the numbers cited above. All the others are likely looking to sell you something.
The Federal Trade Commission, the nation's consumer protection agency, is charged with overseeing the free credit report program and also welcomes your concerns or complaints.
