Get your FREE Credit Report!

From www.ftc.gov : A recent amendment to the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires each of the nationwide consumer reporting companies to provide you with a free copy of your credit report, at your request, once every 12 months, from www.annualcreditreport.com. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation's consumer protection agency, has prepared a brochure, Your Access to Free Credit Reports , explaining your rights and how to order a free annual credit report.

A credit report contains information on where you live, how you pay your bills, and whether you've been sued, arrested, or filed for bankruptcy. Nationwide consumer reporting companies sell the information in your report to creditors, insurers, employers, and other businesses that use it to evaluate your applications for credit, insurance, employment, or renting a home.

Experts agree that it is wise to check your credit report at least once a year. By checking your credit report regularly, you can detect if any fraud or identity theft has been committed against you. It also gives you the information you need to close out existing credit cards and other loans that you no longer use, which are prime targets for I.D. thieves.