Free FICO Scores - 4 Tips for Getting Your Free FICO Report
A strong FICO, or credit, score is the foundation for building a healthy financial picture for you and your family.
To start, you will need to find out your current scores.
You have the right to a free FICO report from each of the three nationwide credit reporting agencies.
Here are 4 tips for getting your free copy.
Tip #1: Once a year go to the FTC-Authorized Provider: The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has an agreement with the three nationwide reporting agencies to provide every citizen of the United States with a free credit report once every 12 months or more, upon request.
To get your free copy, go to the official Annual Credit Report Request Service Web site and follow the instructions for requesting your report via the Internet or via the mail.
Tip #2: Watch out for unauthorized providers: In addition to the Annual Credit Report Request Service, there are a host of other companies who will provide you with a free credit report.
Most of them are legitimate services.
However, their offers for "free" reports will often come with strings attached and they may bill your credit card in the future for additional services you do not want.
Tip #3: Consider signing up for a service that provides regular alerts: There are a number of online companies that will alert you whenever there are changes to your account and will also make the latest versions of your reports available to you.
While they do require your paying an ongoing fee, these services can be very valuable in helping you keep tabs on changes to your score and alerting you to potential identity theft issues.
Tip #4: Improve your score: Now that you have your credit score, use that knowledge to get to work improving your score.
Just a 50-point improvement in your score can mean saving $1,000s in annual debt payments.
A better score can also help you qualify for auto and home loans, and it can even influence whether or not you get hired for a job.
Your free FICO score credit report is your right at a United States citizen.
Take advantage of getting your free report and then go about boosting your score to the highest level possible.
To start, you will need to find out your current scores.
You have the right to a free FICO report from each of the three nationwide credit reporting agencies.
Here are 4 tips for getting your free copy.
Tip #1: Once a year go to the FTC-Authorized Provider: The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has an agreement with the three nationwide reporting agencies to provide every citizen of the United States with a free credit report once every 12 months or more, upon request.
To get your free copy, go to the official Annual Credit Report Request Service Web site and follow the instructions for requesting your report via the Internet or via the mail.
Tip #2: Watch out for unauthorized providers: In addition to the Annual Credit Report Request Service, there are a host of other companies who will provide you with a free credit report.
Most of them are legitimate services.
However, their offers for "free" reports will often come with strings attached and they may bill your credit card in the future for additional services you do not want.
Tip #3: Consider signing up for a service that provides regular alerts: There are a number of online companies that will alert you whenever there are changes to your account and will also make the latest versions of your reports available to you.
While they do require your paying an ongoing fee, these services can be very valuable in helping you keep tabs on changes to your score and alerting you to potential identity theft issues.
Tip #4: Improve your score: Now that you have your credit score, use that knowledge to get to work improving your score.
Just a 50-point improvement in your score can mean saving $1,000s in annual debt payments.
A better score can also help you qualify for auto and home loans, and it can even influence whether or not you get hired for a job.
Your free FICO score credit report is your right at a United States citizen.
Take advantage of getting your free report and then go about boosting your score to the highest level possible.
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