To get your FREE credit report, go to annualcreditreport.com.
From there, you can request your credit report. As a matter of fact, the 3 major credit reporting agencies are Transunion, Equifax & Experian.
Additionally, you can request a copy of your credit report once a year from each agency.
Furthermore, during COVID, you are able to pull your credit report once a week.
How often should I pull my credit report?
I recommend pulling your credit report from one of the agencies. Then, waiting about 4 months to review it from another.
For example, pull your credit report from Transunion. Then, wait 4 months and pull it from Equifax. Finally, wait 4 more months and pull it from Experian.
With this intention, you can review your credit report periodically throughout the year. As a result, you can verify all information is being reported correctly throughout the year.
Why is my credit score different every time it gets pulled?
Another key point, is that many companies do not report to all 3 major credit reporting agencies.
As an illustration, your credit card company may only be reporting to Experian. In addition, your mortgage company may be reporting to Equifax and Transunion. Finally, your auto loan may be reporting to Equifax, Experian & Transunion.
With this in mind, your credit score may be different when shopping around for loans. The company or lender may only be pulling from one or two of the 3 agencies.
Why don’t I see my credit score when I pull it for free?
It’s important to realize that you will not get your credit score from annualcreditreport.com.
Then why check your credit report? To verify all information is reporting correctly on your credit report. In the event incorrect information is reported, you will want to dispute it.
Where can I get my credit score for FREE?
If you want your credit score, there are companies that offer your credit score for free. These companies and banks offer your credit score as a benefit of doing business with them.
Check out the list of businesses, credit card companies and nonprofits that will give you your credit score for free.
It’s important for you to realize, you have many credit scores. I know this may sound confusing (and it is), but there are many credit scoring models out there.
For example, credit karma, has an entirely different credit scoring system than FICO. The 3 major credit reporting agencies use the FICO scoring model.
The most important thing you want to realize, is that your credit score from credit Karma will be different from other scoring models.
In fact, having access to your credit score can help manage your financial life. Learn how I helped an 18-year old buy a his first home!
In the long run, get the best credit score. As a result you will be able to use credit to your advantage!
Question about getting your free credit report? Please get in touch.
