How to Improve Poor Credit

If you suspect that you have a credit problem, you can check your credit by ordering a credit report from one or all of the three major credit-reporting agencies. It's smart to review your credit report once a year, just to know your credit standing and to check for any errors.

The major credit reporting agencies are:

Equifax
800.685.1111
www.equifax.com

Experian
888.397.3742
www.experian.com

Trans Union Corp.
800.916.8800
www.transunion.com

The Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act (FACTA) was enacted to ensure that you have easy access to your credit report each year. To receive a free copy of your report from the three major credit bureaus call 877.322.8228 or order online at www.annualcreditreport.com. If you want to check your report more often, you may order a report for a small fee directly from the credit bureaus. Keep in mind that you may be eligible for additional free reports under other rules. Credit reports from a reporting agency also are free if you have recently been turned down for credit by that agency. In addition, you're entitled to one free copy of your report a year if you certify in writing that (1) you're unemployed and plan to look for a job within 60 days; (2) you're on welfare; or, (3) your report is inaccurate because of fraud.