Your credit matters. Credit reports affect your mortgage rates, credit card approvals, apartment requests, or even your job application. Reviewing your credit reports helps you catch signs of identity theft. Request a copy of your free credit report online at www.annualcreditreport.com. This is the credit monitoring site authorized by the federal government, and it is truly free.
The reports are available for any one, or even all 3 of the reporting agencies. This includes Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax. It will tell you if anyone has requested a check on your credit. This happens, for example, if someone tries to apply for a loan in your name. The report won’t tell you if there’s been money stolen from a bank account or even suspicious activity on your credit card.
Check your 3 credit bureaus every 12 months… it’s worth the time and effort, and it’s free!