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Your Credit Report: The First Step for Your Financial Foundation
We as consumers have the responsibility to make sure our credit report is accurate as the our reports are used in many of our personal financial dealings. Taking a look at your credit report on on regular basis is the foundation for successful financial planning.
In addition to reviewing your credit report regularly, you must also know your FICO score. In fact, maintaining an accurate credit report is a part and parcel of good credit management, which can help to improve your FICO scores over time.
Most Folks Don't Review Their Credit Report
The first time many people see their credit report is when they are about to buy a home or a car. However, the most opportune time to get your credit reports is long before you apply for any loan.
Long before applying for a mortgage you ought to make sure that the information contained in credit reports is accurate. The truth is that this information is essential and will have a significant impact on your ability to obtain certain loan packages.
Understanding credit reports is as vital to you, the consumer, as it is to the lending and financial institutions of the world. Understanding this information is one key to figuring out the loan process.
Reviewing You Credit Report Can Guard Against Identity Theft Loss
In addition, checking your consumer credit report is one way to guard against credit fraud. In fact, obtaining your annual credit reports is vital to helping to protect your credit profile from identity theft. Monitoring your credit information is one of the most efficient ways to protect yourself from criminals who want to steal your identity.
Checking your credit reports is specially important if you believe you may be a victim of identity theft. Keeping informed is a wise step in preventing credit fraud. Even though it can take years to repair damage to your good credit, the stress can last many years longer.
Mistakes on Your Credit Report Can Cause Trouble
Mistakes on credit reports is a big problem, according to the US Government. A frequent mistake on credit reports is erroneous information, such as showing the incorrect number of late payments. Oftentimes, the info on credit reports is not complete or inaccurate. The number of people with mistakes on their credit reports is relatively high.
If you feel that you have erroneouds info on you report, keep in mind that disputing your credit reports is your right under the law (see fair credit Reporting Act). Another frequent error found is showing an outstanding balance on a loan that has been completely paid in full. That's the reason checking out your credit reports on a regular basis is extremely important.
Employers Look at Your Credit Report Too
One of the most controversial uses of credit reports is in employment and perhaps the most surprising use of credit reports is by potential employers. Some potential employers will use your credit history as a basis for their decision as to whether or not to hire you.
Another branch of business that uses credit reports is the insurance industry. Particular data from credit reports is used as one factor among many others that insurers use in whether or not to extend you insurance.
Have You Been Turned Down Because of Your Credit Report?
Another reason you want to review your credit report is if you have been turned down for credit and you are not sure why. Under these circumstances the 3 major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian and Transunion) must by law provide you with a free credit report.
Also by law, under the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act, the Federal government requires the 3 major credit bureaus to, once a year, provide you with a free credit report ... yes a free, no strings attached credit report.
Under this mandate, the 3 major credit bureaus put together a website to make this annual free credit report easy for you to get. You can get your free credit report at annualcreditreport.com
As you can see, having access to your credit report is critical. The 3-in-1 Credit Reports are the most inclusive picture of a consumer's credit history, and include a brief glance summary of all account information. Sitting yourself down and reviewing all three credit reports on a regular basis is a must.
Learn more about how to get A Credit Report at http://aboutyourcredit.info/a_credit_report.html
About the Author: Learn more about how to get A Credit Report at http://aboutyourcredit.info/a_credit_report.html
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