Best Way To Obtain Credit Report
Q: What is the best/least expensive way to obtain credit report. I've seen a number of adds to obtain "free" copies of credit reports by signing up for credit protection services but I'm not sure which of these are legit. Better to just pay for credit reports direct from the credit reporting agencies?
A: If you are denied credit, you are entitles to a free copy of your credit report. If you live in certain states, you are eligible to receive a free report once a year. Colorado is one of the states and I think Maryland is another. I do not know what other states have similar laws Transunion you can get online if you've either been denied credit or insurance or (truth or not) you're unemployed or on public assistance (they don't check). Experian has a number you can call if you think there's something that may be in your credit file, and they'll give you a confirmation number to use on their website to dispute it (added bonus is that you can pull new reports daily for 90 days on that same confirmation #). Equifax has no online "back door" that I know of (you either have to pay or write to them for a report). .