Get Weekly Free Access to Your Credit Reports Through December

You Can Check Your Credit Reports Weekly For Free Through December

Did you know that you can check your credit reports for free on a weekly basis through December? That's right – thanks to the CARES Act, you have the ability to get a free weekly credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) until December 31, 2020. This is a great opportunity to stay on top of your credit health and make sure everything is accurate and up-to-date.

Why should you check your credit reports regularly?

Your credit reports contain important information about your credit history, including your credit accounts, payment history, and any outstanding balances. This information is used by lenders, landlords, and other organizations to evaluate your creditworthiness and determine whether or not to extend credit or other financial opportunities to you.

By checking your credit reports regularly, you can catch any errors or discrepancies that may be affecting your credit score. For example, if there is a mistake on your credit report that shows a late payment when you actually paid on time, it could be bringing down your credit score unnecessarily. By catching these errors and correcting them, you can improve your credit score and increase your chances of being approved for credit or other financial opportunities.

In addition, checking your credit reports regularly can help you spot potential identity theft. If you see accounts or charges on your credit report that you don't recognize, it could be a sign that your identity has been compromised. By catching identity theft early, you can take steps to protect yourself and your credit.

How do you get your free weekly credit reports?

Getting your free weekly credit reports is easy. All you need to do is visit the website AnnualCreditReport.com and follow the instructions to request your reports. You will need to provide some personal information, such as your name, address, and social security number, to verify your identity.

Once you have requested your reports, they will be mailed to you within 15 days. You can also choose to receive your reports electronically by providing an email address.

If you prefer, you can also request your credit reports by phone by calling (877) 322-8228.

What should you do once you receive your credit reports?

Once you receive your credit reports, it's important to review them carefully and look for any errors or discrepancies. If you see any mistakes, you can dispute them with the credit bureau by following the instructions on the credit report.

In addition to looking for errors, you should also take note of your credit accounts and payment history. Make sure that everything is accurate and up-to-date. If you see any accounts that you no longer use or that are no longer open, make sure they are reflected as such on your credit report.

It's also a good idea to check your credit utilization ratio, which is the amount of credit you are using compared to the amount of credit available to you. A high credit utilization ratio can have a negative impact on your credit score, so it's important to keep it as low as possible. You can do this by paying off outstanding balances or by increasing your credit limits.

Conclusion

By taking advantage of the opportunity to check your credit reports for free on a weekly basis through December, you can stay on top of your credit health and make sure everything is accurate and up-to-date. This can help you improve your credit score and increase your chances of being approved for credit or other financial opportunities. It can also help you spot potential identity

How often should you check your credit reports?

While the CARES Act allows you to check your credit reports for free on a weekly basis through December, it's generally not necessary to check your credit reports that frequently. Checking your credit reports too often can actually have a negative impact on your credit score, as it may indicate to lenders that you are trying to take on a lot of new credit.

As a general rule, it's a good idea to check your credit reports at least once per year. This will allow you to catch any errors or discrepancies and make sure everything is accurate and up-to-date. If you suspect that there may be an issue with your credit report, such as potential identity theft, you may want to check your credit reports more frequently.

In addition to checking your credit reports, it's also a good idea to check your credit scores regularly. Your credit scores are based on the information in your credit reports, and they are used by lenders to determine your creditworthiness. By checking your credit scores, you can get an idea of where you stand and what you can do to improve your credit.

There are several ways to check your credit scores for free. Some credit card companies offer free credit scores to their customers, and there are also websites and apps that allow you to check your credit scores for free. Keep in mind that the credit scores you receive may not be the same as the ones that lenders use, but they can still give you a good idea of your credit standing.

Tips for improving your credit

If you want to improve your credit, there are several things you can do:

• Pay your bills on time: Payment history is one of the most important factors in your credit score, so it's important to pay all of your bills on time. Set up automatic payments or reminders to help you stay on track.
• Keep your credit utilization low: As mentioned earlier, your credit utilization ratio is the amount of credit you are using compared to the amount of credit available to you. A high credit utilization ratio can have a negative impact on your credit score, so it's important to keep it as low as possible. You can do this by paying off outstanding balances or by increasing your credit limits.
• Don't apply for too much new credit at once: Every time you apply for credit, it creates a hard inquiry on your credit report, which can have a negative impact on your credit score. Try to limit the number of credit applications you make, and only apply for credit when you really need it.
• Use a mix of credit types: Credit scores can be improved by demonstrating the ability to manage different types of credit. This may include a mix of credit cards, installment loans, and mortgages.
• Dispute errors on your credit reports: If you find errors on your credit reports, it's important to dispute them as soon as possible. By correcting errors, you can improve your credit score and increase your chances of being approved for credit or other financial opportunities.

By following these tips and regularly checking your credit reports and scores, you can take control of your credit health and improve your chances of being approved for credit or other financial opportunities.