Free credit report

I’ve only checked my credit report and credit score once in my lifetime. That’s not good. It is advised to check your credit report regularly to check for inaccuracies and avoid identity theft.

For those who don’t care to check their credit report, you might care now if you learn that you are entitled to free credit reports every year. Take note that credit report is different from credit score. Credit report includes your accounts, payment history, payment behavior, and balances.

Below is how you can get free credit reports:

• denied an application (i.e. loan, insurance policy, unemployment) due to your credit history
• you live in a state that already offers free credit reports from each credit-reporting agency (Colorado, Georgia, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey and Vermont)
• go to AnnualCreditReport.com, the ONLY authorized source for free credit reports
• call (877) 322-8228
• download a brochure from Federal Trade Commission and fill out the request form

(source: MSN Money)

UPDATE:

08/06/08: There are three more situations in addition to the above, that you may be able to get a free credit report:

• Identity Theft
• Unemployment
• Welfare

For more info, click here.

(source: MSN)