Getting a free online instant credit report is just the first step in checking your credit. The
next step is to carefully go over the report for errors and get them corrected. Then you should
review your free online instant credit report like a creditor would to see how your credit rates.
When checking your free online instant credit report for errors, look for inaccurate
information and omissions. The most important part of your credit report is the accounts section.
Make sure the payment records are complete and correct. If you do find an error, write to the
credit bureau and they should either verify it or delete the information within 30 days. If
you're not happy with the resolution of the disputed information, you have the right to have
a 100-word viewpoint summary included in your credit report.
Credit scoring is one of the tools a creditor uses when deciding whether to grant you credit.
The formula for a credit score takes the information in your free online instant credit report
and weights certain relevant items to predict credit worthiness. Although the scoring models
vary, they tend to focus on certain key areas. The most important of these is how you've paid
your bills. If you're behind on any debts, you can raise your score by making up back-payments
and keeping current.
Another key item in your free online instant credit report is how much you owe and how
the debt is spread out. Naturally, the more you owe the less additional debt you'll be able to
qualify for. And it's also important that all your debt isn't concentrated in just a few
high-balance accounts. It's good to pay down any high balance accounts, but don't do this
by opening up another account. The overall age of your accounts is measured by the score,
so any new account lowers the average age and lowers your score. It's also helpful to have
a mixture of different types of credit.
To get your free online instant credit report, free credit score and free 30 days of credit
monitoring, please go to
free instant credit reports.
