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Methods of Finding Your Credit ScoreKnowing your credit score is very important. Lenders, creditors, insurers, employers, and other businesses use your credit score to determine whether or not you are eligible for loans, credit cards, insurance, employment, and more. In some cases, your credit score may be used by landlords and housing officials to determine whether or not you will be allowed to live somewhere. Your credit score is a three-digit number between 500 and 850. The higher your credit score is, the better your credit. Credit scores are determined by a variety of factors, including how you have (or havent) paid your bills, bankruptcy history, open credit, and anything else that would affect your credit worthiness. All of this information is compiled and boiled down into the three-digit number that is your credit score. For many years, the credit industry kept you from knowing your credit score. This was considered an unfair practice, because the score was being used to determine how much you should pay for something. Pressure from Congress and consumer groups recently changed how things work. You can now access your credit score via a free credit report. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires that each of the three major consumer reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) provide you with a free copy of your credit report. You are allowed to request this report once every twelve months. When you receive your credit report, be sure to look it over carefully for errors. If you see things on your report that are unfamiliar, you may be a victim of identity theft. You can obtain a free copy of your credit report in any of the following ways: 1. The Internet. The three major consumer reporting agencies have set up a central website, http://www.annualcreditreport.com, which you can visit to request a free copy of your credit report. You will be asked to provide your name, address, social security number, and date of birth. Before providing this information, make sure that you are on the correct website. There are many imposter sites that have been created with the goal of taking you money. The only website that you can access your report for free with no strings attached is the official site that has been created by the three credit bureaus. 2.Telephone. If you want to speak with someone personally, you can obtain your free credit report by calling the toll free number that has been established by the three consumer reporting agencies: 1-877-322-8228. Your request will be processed in approximately 15 days. 3.Snail Mail. You can also obtain your free credit report via mail. First you must complete the Annual Credit Report Request Form that can be found at http://www.ftc.gov/credit. You can also obtain a copy of this form by calling 1-877-322-8228. Once you have filled out the form, mail it to: Annual Credit Report Request Service, PO Box 105281, Atlanta GA 30348-5281. Your request will be processed in approximately 15 days after it is received.
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