Have you checked your Credit Report?

If you haven’t been told by now, It is good practice to keep an eye on your credit report with the increase in identity theft.

Don’t be fooled by the many sites out there that offer “Free Credit Reports”. Most of them, when you read the small print, are esentially signing you up for a paid credit check service and giving you the first credit report free.

The only site I recommend is AnnualCreditReport.com
This is the only service authorized by Equifax, Experian and TransUnion for obtaining free credit reports. I really wish the Government would get involved and give it a “.gov” domain so it is clearer to people that this is not a gimmick or spam site.

You can pull one report free from each of the three bureau’s each year through the site. There is no subscription service, no spam email later or anyone trying to call you.

My recommendation is to pull one every for months. Here is the schedule I follow:

• Experian – April 30
• Equifax – August 31
• TransUnion – December 31

That should cover you for the year and should allow you to track any unauthorized activity that could be taking place.

The government passed the law of allowing you free credit reports to help you protect yourself, so why not use it? Just don’t pay anyone for it!

Remember:
FreeCreditReport.com BAD
AnnualCreditReport.com GOOD