| A credit report is information about each person | | | | of which have similar, albeit not exactly the same, |
| that is used by financial institutions to determine | | | | information about you and your credit history. |
| whether or not to give you credit. A credit report | | | | It's important to monitor your credit report and |
| contains vital personal information about a person | | | | your monthly bills and watch for 'red flags' that |
| as well as employment information and credit use | | | | may symbolize that you have become a victim of |
| information. Your credit report is given to anyone | | | | identity theft. Some of the red flags to watch out |
| who asks for it when they have your permission, | | | | for on your credit report are: |
| primarily banks and other lending institutions who | | | | - Several loan applications made in quick |
| are considering giving you a loan or a mortgage. | | | | succession at a variety of agencies. (Especially if |
| It is vitally important that you check your credit | | | | you have no recollection of doing so.) |
| record at least once a year from each of the | | | | - Many hits on your credit report for loan and |
| three credit reporting agencies. Each agency may | | | | credit applications over a long period of time. |
| have different information about you and your | | | | Some identity thieves are very tricky and go |
| credit history, so it's important to check all three. | | | | slowly with credit applications so as to not raise |
| They all offer one free credit report a year and | | | | any alarm bells. |
| this is an important step to maintaining good credit | | | | - Any application made out of state. |
| and for avoiding identity fraud. | | | | It is important that you thoroughly read your |
| In your credit report you will find information | | | | credit report and make note of anything on there |
| about your life - as a person, such as your mailing | | | | that you do not recall. You can always request a |
| address, Social Security Number, phone number, | | | | change to your credit report and if you suspect |
| birth date, etc. You will also find information on | | | | that you are the victim of identity theft, head to |
| your employment history and your borrowing | | | | the police station immediately with your credit |
| credit history. Of course, the most important part | | | | reports in hand. |
| of the credit report is the information about your | | | | It is a sad and unfortunate truth that anyone, |
| history with credit and how you use it. Identity | | | | even you, can fall victim to identity fraud. For the |
| fraud can seriously tarnish your credit report in a | | | | thieves, we usually make it quite easy - throwing |
| hurry, most fraudulent people who've stolen an | | | | away bills with information on it about us in our |
| identity don't bother to pay the creditors back. | | | | trash, throwing away application forms for credit |
| Your report will show you a history of your credit | | | | and not being vigilant with our online financial |
| applications and histories, having too many | | | | dealings. |
| applications is a negative on your credit report as | | | | It is important that you protect yourself from |
| is having too many unpaid, late or delinquent | | | | becoming a victim of identity fraud - monitor your |
| payments on your bills. | | | | credit report and immediately report any |
| The three major credit reporting agencies are | | | | suspicious activity on your report to the credit |
| Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. Lenders obtain | | | | reporting agencies and your local police. |
| your credit report from one of these agencies, all | | | | |