Take a deep dive into your credit report
Your credit score is generated by the information provided in your credit report. Don’t accept your credit score for its face value. Roll up your sleeves and take a deep dive into your credit report. Be on the look out for incorrect information on your file. These mistakes can be extremely costly and negatively impact your credit score. Especially if you are about to purchase a home or apply for a loan. Take a pro-active measure and make sure your financial life is in order.
From your credit report you will immediately identify the types of accounts you have, such as:
- Credit Cards
- Auto Loans
- Student Loans
- Personal Loans
- Mortgages
- Bankruptcy, liens, or court judgments
Under each credit account, you will find the following information:
- Payment history
- Current balances owed
- Length of history with that account
In addition, pay close attention to:
- Your personal information
- The credit inquiries
- Accounts that are or were in collections
It’s important to review your credit report once a year and you can receive it for free by requesting your annual free credit report. If you find inaccuracies within the report, you will want to call the bureaus, submit a fraud alert and dispute the information reported on your file.
To Obtain Free Credit Reports
Number: 1–877–322–8228
Annual Credit Report Request Service
P.O. Box 105281
Atlanta, GA 30348–5281
To Contact Credit Bureaus
Equifax
1–866–640–2273
Equifax Credit Information Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 740241
Atlanta, GA 30374
Equifax Fraud Division
P.O. Box 740256
Atlanta, GA 30374
1–800–525–6285
To place a fraud alert on your credit report, call 1–888–766–0008.
Experian National Consumers Assistance Center
1–888–397–3742
TransUnion Consumer Solutions
2 Baldwin Place
P.O. Box 1000
Chester, PA 19022
Obtain a free TransUnion credit report:
1–800–888–4213
Dispute information in your TransUnion credit report:
1–800–916–8800
TransUnion Fraud Victim Assistance Dept.
P.O. Box 2000
Chester, PA 19022–2000
1–800–680–7289
