When To Check Your Credit Report

By Jim Bransby

Most people should check their credit reports once a year. Most people should see their doctors once a year, too. Just as each person has a different health situation, each person also has a different credit situation. While once a year may be enough for those with good credit, others may need to check their reports more often. In this economy, many people are in sticky credit situations, opening more accounts than usual, or at least just wanting to be aware of their credit information. In fact, there are many reasons to check your credit report more often than once per year.

You may check your credit card and bank statements thoroughly every month, but in these times, that may not be enough to detect identity theft. When a thief opens a brand new account in your name, it won't show up on your credit card bill, but you will see it on a credit report, since credit reports show new accounts that have been opened.

Receiving a phone call about debt you didn't know you owed is not the best way to find out your identity has been stolen. You will have a much better chance of dealing with identity theft if you detect it early on, by checking your credit report before the problem gets out of hand. There are also other situations in which it is important to check your credit report.

If you have made bad credit decisions in the past and you would like to resolve them, or, if you have excellent credit and would like to keep your score up, being aware of the information on your credit report is a good place to start. Checking your credit report allows you to know what creditors have reported about you, and it contains information about accounts you have had or currently have. Knowing this information is vital to improving or keeping your credit score.

The credit report also becomes valuable when you decide a project must go the funding way but your application is denied. Even a credit card debt of twenty dollars from four years ago can keep you from receiving a loan. If your credit is cited as the reason for the rejection, you are entitled to a free credit report, which you should review to ensure that the information inside is accurate and that the decision was not based on misinformation.

The credit reporting bureau that produces credit reports is not infallible and every once in a while, a human error can pop up in a report. Legally you may challenge a report that you deem to be inaccurate and, because they are required to by law, credit agencies must investigate your complaint.

You have the right to know what your credit report says about you. Whether you are looking into getting a loan, or just trying to make sure your identity has not been stolen, it is important to keep aware of what information is on your credit report.

Don't pass up your legal right to pull your credit report once a year. Beyond that, if you are looking into getting a loan, attempting to improve your credit score, or just looking out for identity thieves, pull your credit report often enough to make sure your credit information is correct.

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To find out exactly how you can get your annual credit report visit my credit report website.