Ways to Get Free Access to Credit Reports

Get free access to credit reports for a sufficient period of time to be able to assess your suitability for credit. Your credit score rating is highly important if you plan to apply for a credit card, loan or mortgage now or at any point in the near future.

Credit reference agencies aren't just an invaluable source of consumer education, they are also a business. Whilst the majority of people are familiar with paper credit reports, it is possible to see your report online. These added value services are being heavily promoted, but this creates an opportunity for you, the customer.

Free Access to Credit Reports Online

You can see your credit score ratings online for free via a 7 day trial period. Whilst this is designed to entice you to enter a business relationship for a full and comprehensive online credit monitoring service, it allows you to ascertain how good your credit score rating is.

The information is very thorough so you will be able to quickly identify any data entry errors or problems. This means that you can get any issues corrected through self-help or an attorney before applying for credit. Whilst this takes several months to correct, it is better than being continuously rejected for credit. Making too many applications for credit will have a negative effect on your score even if there was a problem through absolutely no fault of your own.

Free Access to Credit Reports for Victims of Debit and Credit Card Fraud

If you believe that you may have been a victim of card fraud or identity theft, you can get hold of your credit report by writing to credit reference agencies directly. They will send you a copy completely free of charge in order that you can see if there have been any credit applications not initiated by you.

Whilst you will get to see your credit rating score for free, the agency is very likely to make a note on your file in order to protect any vested interests. This could potentially make applying for credit more difficult; applications are more likely to be manually processed.

If you want free access to credit reports, sign-up for a free 7 day online trial. If you don't wish to continue with the service, make sure that you contact them before the trial ends to ensure that your subscription is cancelled in good time. Don't claim to be a victim of fraud if you don't genuinely believe that this is the case.

Disclaimer: This article in no way attempts to provide legal, financial or tax advice. One should consult a licensed attorney, tax advisor, or other qualified financial professional before proceeding.

Updated: 28 March 2011