Benefits of Checking your Credit Regularly

You are encouraged by the Federal Trade Commission to be sure the information on your credit reports is accurate, complete, and up to date at least once a year.  It is an important part of your financial life that can determine whether you get credit, the terms of the credit and how much it will cost.

In addition to borrowing money, good credit could affect premiums on insurance, employers' hiring decisions, ability to rent a home.

Checking your credit history and credit scores:

• Helps you better understand your current credit position.
• Makes you aware of what lenders may see.
• Protects you from inaccurate or incomplete information.
• Recognize identity theft.

Free annual credit reports can be ordered from Equifax, Experian, and Transunion through their centralized website - AnnualCreditReport.com, toll-free phone number ... 877-322-8228, and mailing address ... Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281. These are the only ways to order your free annual credit reports.

Only one website — AnnualCreditReport.com — is authorized to fill orders for the free annual credit reports you are entitled to by law.  For more information, go to the Federal Trade Commission website regarding Free Credit Reports.