In this week’s issue of Business Week, I came across an article about checking up on your credit. Click here to read the Business Week article. The piece talks up a website called AnnualCreditReport.com that supposedly offers a free credit report from each of the three major US credit reporting agencies (Experian, TransUnion and EquiFax).
Being the skeptical person that I am, I did a bit more research. Turns out the Federal Trade Commission also recommends this website for a free copy of your credit report. According to the FTC website, “The three nationwide consumer reporting companies have set up a central website, a toll-free telephone number, and a mailing address through which you can order your free annual report. To order, visit annualcreditreport.com…”
So I tried, and was quite impressed. Aside from some overbearing ads for paid services, I was able to get a copy of my credit reports from Experian, TransUnion and EquiFax via AnnualCreditReport.com. Following are some tips for navigating the website.
Once you enter some personal information along with your Social Security Number, you are taken to the Experian website with a pretty looking lady typing away, very likely getting her own Free Credit Report. But wait, what’s this “Add It Now, $5.95” crap!
Just scroll down a bit to get to the Free button you are looking for.
When you are done with your Free Experian Credit Report, you need to click the "Return to AnnualCreditReport.com" button to get your other Free Reports.
Next up is the EquiFax website. The only look-out here is to make sure all the “special offers” are checked “NO”, then click Submit.
When you are done with your Free EquiFax Credit Report, you need to click the "Return to AnnualCreditReport.com" button to get your last Free Report.
The last Free Credit Report was from TransUnion. The TransUnion site asked for verification of credit card #’s or old addresses. Being too lazy, and already having seen my first 2 reports, I decided to forgo my TransUnion Free Credit Report.
Overall, I am impressed. I have an updated copy of my Credit Report (2 actually!) for Free. Good stuff! I’d recommend AnnualCreditReport.com to anyone looking for a safe, secure, reputable Free Credit Report.
1 comment:
Hi Tim - Jennifer A suggested I check out your blog for the GTD stuff, but I wanted to tell you how great the annualcreditreport.com is. One tip I picked up was, instead of doing all three once a year, do one every four months. Then you get this rolling check to see if anything crazy is happening on your credit. thanks - great blog!
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