Look through your credit reports carefully to make sure all the information is correct. Errors on your credit reports can negatively affect your credit scores and ability to get a loan. Reviewing your reports on a regular basis can also help you monitor for things like identity theft and fraud.

How often should you check your credit report?

once a year
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau suggests checking your credit reports once a year, at a minimum. Credit expert John Ulzheimer suggests a cadence of once a month. Until the end of April 2022, you can get your reports for free every week from the three major credit bureaus by using AnnualCreditReport.com.

Why is it important to check your credit scores?

Because of this, it’s important to regularly check both your credit scores and your credit reports. Your credit scores and credit history are among the factors that may determine your loan terms, including interest rate, and it’s important to ensure the information on your credit reports is accurate and complete.

Why do you need to check all three credit reports?

The existence of each bureau as an individual company is also the reason why every consumer should regularly check all three of his or her credit reports, rather than limiting credit check-ups to a single report.

What to do if you think your credit report is inaccurate?

If you do see something you believe may be inaccurate or incomplete, contact the company reporting the information. You can also dispute the information with the credit bureau furnishing the report. At Equifax, you can create a myEquifax account to file a dispute. Visit our dispute page to learn other ways you can submit a dispute.

Are there credit scores on your credit report?

Contrary to popular belief, credit scores are not part of your credit reports, although credit scores are calculated from data on your credit reports and may be delivered along with it.