Have you noticed the TV commercials for websites that reportedly provide you with free credit reports? Beware. According to the May 2008 issue of AARP Bulletin, "There's only one legitimate entity that provides free yearly credit reports from the three reporting bureaus: www.annualcreditreport.com." Other sites are likely to have hidden fees or charge automatic fees if you don't cancel a membership after a certain period of time. If you receive unsolicited e-mail offering free credit reports, again, beware. These can be phishing scams or spammers who want to steal your personal information.
The bottom line? www.annualcreditreport.com offers you everything you need -- and it's REALLY free -- so don't even consider other sites. One caveat, even annualcreditreport.com does NOT provide your credit SCORES for free. A credit REPORT consists of information about your credit history, but not necessarily your scores. And the site features adds from for-profit entities inviting you to purchase various services -- usually for very low fees -- including your credit scores. My lender tells me that these scores do not match those that he pulls up when checking your credit for a loan, so they are pretty worthless. Live and learn.
How about you? Have you had any good and/or bad experiences when researching your credit history/scores?
Single adults face unique challenges when buying and selling a home. I know because I've done it myself, & a significant portion of my clients are single. This blog provides news & information you need to help you achieve your real estate goals. Alice Kuder, REALTOR®, Green. Prudential Northwest Realty Associates, Seattle, WA
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