Free Annual Credit Report

With so many people making purchases online these days, the ability for a hacker to steal your identity is easier than ever.  Credit cards registered under your name without you ever knowing can cost you big when it appears on your credit report.  Experian, one of the three major credit bureaus, is leading the way in reporting accurately how well your credit score is doing.  If you have a current Experian report, simply log in to the member center and dispute any purchasing that was never done by you.  If you haven’t already requested a free annual credit report from Experian, simply give them a call, order one online, or write a request for one.

One thing many people don’t know is that if you are constantly changing employment and have an unstable history of residence, it can cause you to drop your credit score.  A drop in your credit score can affect you with even the simple decision of renting a vehicle.  Getting a free annual credit report from Experian will prove to be helpful when seeing if your change of residence has affected your credit score.

Experian is merely an accumulator of information about your credit score and presents it to you fairly and accurately.  It is ultimately your responsibility to take advantage of the annual free credit reports that are offered by bureaus like Experian.  If there is a discrepancy or problem with your credit score, especially when you know it’s not your fault, it is your duty to point these problems out and get them fixed.

In your credit report you will find information about your consumer history, bankruptcy information, money and loan information about you, and finally credit information.  You will know when your new credit card accounts were opened, balances in these accounts, and even collection activity.  When looking at this information, be sure to look out for any fraudulent information that you know cannot be attributed to you.

What’s great about an Experian credit report is that it will give you an excellent snapshot of your credit health.  Important information like your payment history, the number and age you began your credit lines, how long you have had a credit history, the types of accounts you currently have, the total credit available to you and how much you’ve used, and the number of inquiries on your report might all be information important for you to know to prevent identity theft or to improve your timeliness of your payments.