Understanding Your Free Yearly Credit Report
Your free annual credit report is an important piece of your personal finance. It is your record of borrowing and repayment activity. It reflects your use of credit and impact to creditors. As financial institutions make decisions on money lending and other financial decisions, lenders are able to assess your credit worthiness and financial responsibility.
Any inaccuracies in a credit report can prevent you from obtaining favorable rates or even a loan. You should receive a copy of your credit report every year. Below are a few points to consider when evaluating your credit report.
Reviewing Your Credit Report
- Payment History – Review the dates on which payments are due and when you actually paid the bills. Make sure the dates show when payments were made on time.
- Outstanding Balances – Check the amounts listed as outstanding balances against your own records. Confirm that they are accurate.
- Credit Lines – Check the information on what credit lines you have used or also known as revolving accounts. This includes the oldest open credit card accounts and lines of credit.
Addressing Errors
If you find any errors on your credit report, you should take care of them immediately. Before you dispute the errors, make sure you can provide adequate documentation. This includes credit card statements and other evidence of billing. Then contact the creditor or the credit reporting bureau immediately to dispute the errors.
Your credit score is also an important part of your overall financial picture. So you should check your credit score at least once a year. It may help to look at a score-based simulator that helps you anticipate the impact of certain credit decisions.
Conclusion
Your free yearly credit report is an important part of managing your financial life. Understanding the content, regularly reviewing it and correcting any inaccuracies is your responsibility and will ensure the accuracy of your credit report.
Comments