See What Others See: Pull Your Credit Report Annually
By Chris Cope
December
30
2010
As we near January 1st, we start to think about things we do at the beginning of each year, like making resolutions or changing the batteries in our smoke detectors. This year, we are recommending you add one more thing to do at the beginning of each year and that is to review your own credit report.
Being in the mortgage industry, we see day in and day out the impact that a person’s credit can have on their ability to purchase or refinance a home. While most people may know what they need to qualify, many don’t understand that even small positive changes to their credit score can result in a better rate.
Reviewing your credit report may also reveal errors that, thankfully, you can easily correct. What if you didn’t know those errors were there? You don’t want to be caught by surprise, especially if you are making an application for credit. After you review your report, you will see that the last pages give you the contact numbers for all your creditors. You can call them to dispute inaccurate information. Since many industries also use your credit report information, including insurance, utilities and employers, it is in your best interest to know what is on this report and that it is completely accurate.
The only way to do this for free is to go to the Annual Credit Report Government site. It allows you to get your credit report online or if you prefer to get it sent to you, here are the directions for requesting it by phone or mail (from the annual credit report site).
To Request your Credit Report by Phone:
•Call 1-877-322-8228
•You will go through a simple verification process over the phone.
Your reports will be mailed to you within 15 days. Please, allow 2-3 weeks for delivery.
To Request your Credit Report by Mail:
•Download the request form (You need an Adobe viewer to view the requested form. Download the free Adobe viewer)
•Print and complete the form
Mail the completed form to:
Annual Credit Report Request Service
P.O. Box 105281
Atlanta, GA 30348-5281
Your reports will be mailed to you within 15 days. Please, allow 2-3 weeks for delivery.
By Chris Cope
