Obtaining Your Credit Report
For better or for worse, 21st century consumers have become heavily dependent upon credit as their preferred means of making purchases. On the other side of the coin, your credit is also how you are evaluated in our credit culture. Most people recognize that their credit history is checked when they apply for a loan or a credit card, but may not realize that their credit may also be checked for such things as obtaining insurance or when they apply for a job. In this credit-driven society, it is very important that you build and maintain a good credit history. One very nice benefit for everyone living in the United States is that they are eligible to obtain a copy of their credit report for free. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) signed back in 2003 requires each of the nationwide consumer reporting companies – Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion – to provide you with a free copy of your credit report, at your request, once every 12 months.