Why You Should Check
Your Credit Report Regularly.
Credit is a part of everyday life. Hundreds of credit transactions take place every minute and your credit file is being continually updated. To stay on top of your credit, it is essential to be aware of the contents of your credit report. Why? Because checking your report is the most convenient way to review your complete credit history, and make well-informed decisions on all your past, present and future accounts. Also, it's a good idea to monitor your report for new derogatory information and unauthorized accounts that might affect your credit. Your credit file can change - and change your credit score. Your credit file and score are used to make decisions about loans, interest rates, even employment. If your credit score drops - you can find out why and how to improve it. Inaccurate information can hurt your credit score - you can verify the accuracy of your file. Activity in your file, which you did not initiate, can be an early warning sign of identity theft. A small error in your credit report can damage your credit rating. Ideally, your credit report is an accurate, up-to-date reflection of your credit history. Too often many people find something wrong with their credit report only after having an application for credit denied. This is not only embarrassing and frustrating; it can also create a delay in receiving the credit you deserve. Often the result of simple human error, they can be caused by anything from a clerical error to a computer glitch in which your file is mixed with that of someone with a similar name. The good news is you can take action to keep your report accurate. Here are the top five reasons why you should make a practice of regularly reviewing your credit report: Inaccuracies & Mixed Credit Files Many inaccuracies on a credit report can be the result of simple human error, and are therefore are not difficult to dispute. Of course, if you don't order your credit report, you might never know about it. Whether the inaccuracies relate to payments not credited, late payments, or data mixed in from the credit file of someone else with a name similar to yours, you will want to contact the credit bureau to dispute inaccurate information promptly. If you would like to get a free copy of your credit report right now, click here. Tracking Payments Identity Theft Many of you know people who have become victims of identity theft. This crime can be financially and emotionally devastating. Your social security number, your bank account or credit card number, your telephone calling card number, and other
valuable identifying data can be used, if they fall into the wrong hands, to personally profit at your expense. Inquiries If you're shopping around for a loan or more credit, you should know that when creditors check your credit, it places an inquiry on your credit report. Inquiries can add up, which is often interpreted as a negative by creditors. For this reason, too many inquiries can actually make getting credit more difficult. Moreover, if you didn't authorize someone to look at your credit report and they did, they may have broken the law. If you would like to see who's been looking at your credit, click here to get a free copy of your credit report right now. Credit Fraud -- Unauthorized Charges Credit fraud involves the theft of your credit card or account number to make unauthorized charges to your account. Though consumers are protected financially from this abuse, other creditors may take note of all this activity and decide to raise your interest rates or refuse to grant you a loan. Ordering your credit report will help you catch new activity on accounts that you haven't been using, or may have closed. If you would like to get a free copy of your credit report right now,click here. LIMIT WHAT YOU CARRY -- Do not carry your Social Security card, birth certificate, passport, passwords or extra credit cards. SOCIAL SECURITY SECRECY -- Do not print your Social Security number on checks. Order your Social Security Earnings and Benefits Statement once a year to check for fraud; call 800-772-1213. CREDIT CARDS -- Do not use any credit card linked to your checking or savings accounts. Reduce the number of credit cards you use. Regularly check your credit report for unauthorized accounts. Call any of these national credit report companies: SHREDDING -- Destroy preapproved credit applications, credit card receipts, bills and other financial information. PROTECT YOUR MAIL -- Deposit outgoing mail at a post office or in secure mailboxes. Lock your mailbox, or use a mail slot or post office box. COMPUTERS -- Use a firewall and virus protection if your computer is connected to the Internet. Keep operating systems updated. Do not let anyone use your computer, unless you trust them fully. Now It's Your Turn To Check Your Credit Report. When it comes to managing your credit worthiness, your credit report is your best resource. By checking your credit report regularly you will make sure that it accurately reflects the consistency you've shown in paying your creditors. Ordering your credit report gives you the opportunity to manage your credit wisely today, while planning your credit strategy for achieving future goals -- a credit-savvy move every consumer should make! click here to get your credit report right now.
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