This report will include everything that is recorded about your credit history, but will not include the credit score number that is associated with it.
You should review your credit report at least once per year to ensure that everything on it is accurate.
Check the different accounts and ensure that they are all yours.
Check the balances and ensure that they reflect the actual balances that you are carrying. Basically, check everything that is written in that report and ensure that it is true.
In this chapter, we will show you how to obtain your credit report from each of the three big credit reporting companies (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion). In the next chapter, we will review the different sections of the report and explain them in more detail.
CREDIT TIP: Once you receive your reports, save them in a safe location. Then, when you receive your next report, you will have something to compare it against and you can see just how far you have come.
There are three options for obtaining your free credit report.
1. Request it online at www.annualcreditreport.com
2. Request it by phone at 1-877-322-8228
3. If you request your report through the mail, go to the web address listed above and print out the form (shown on the right). Then, mail it to the address shown above and wait for your credit reports.