Identity theft is becoming more and more popular. I found this article on Bankrate.com and wanted to share it. If you would like to check your credit for free the government has passed a ruling to allow everyone to check their credit without penalty once a year. The site to receive a free credit report is Annual Credit Report. The credit report will give you all the information on your credit report except your credit score. If you want to know your credit score it's $5. You can access any of the three credit bureau's (experian, equifax or transunion).

 

Here is my beef - why is that we would have to pay to get information on ourselves. To me that doesn't make sense! We should have full access to all of our information. We should be able to get our own credit reports 2-4 times a year free.

I am just venting cuz I think it's a shame we actually have to go through this crap just so we can make sure other people aren't violating our personal information. That's like paying someone to see if your house was robbed!

Good find though! Have you gotten your credit report from this site?How much information do you have to provide them and is it trustworthy?

 

Diesel-I'm one of the biggest skeptics when it comes to providing my personal info online, especially my social. I know some people who have used the site. I used it this morning to access my credit report. It's secure. You have to give your name, address, birthdate & social.

The credit bureau's have to generate revenue to stay in business and this is one way they are generating revenue. When you apply for a loan the lender has to pull your credit. It costs the lender money which in turn is passed on to you either directly or indirectly through lender fees.

Something else you may not know is when you get a "Pre-Approved" offer either for a credit card or mortgage your credit was pulled to make the pre-approved offer. You have to contact the credit bureau's to be put on their "opt-out" list. This will restrict credit card companies, mortgage companies and many other types of lenders from accessing your credit report. Don't be fooled credit bureau's sell their info every day.

 

Valid points here, people. It is important to check your credit at least 1/year. The more that you expose yourself and your information, especially online, the greater the chance it will be stolen. I went to the site 2 days ago and opted to call the phone # and do it that way. I think that it was 877-322-8228. You can also get a form from that website and mail it in, that is if you trust anyone that may handle the mail.

 

I did the free credit report yesterday. The webpage is a portal to all three credit agencies and is absolutely safe. The report is provided by all three credit reporting entities, Equifax, Transunion, and Experian. You provide your name, current address, and SSN. Then they ask you a couple of questions like "what was your past residence" or mothers maiden name. When you pass that, they will give you a report of your credit. However, if you want to know what your credit score or other detailed info, then you have to pay for it.

It sucks that you have to pay to get a score, but at least with the free report you know what accounts have been opened up in your name.