 TITLE: What Is a Credit Report? CONTENT: When Should You Get a Credit Report?\n------------------------------------\nIt's a good idea to check your credit reports two to three months before making a major credit application, such as for a home mortgage or car loan. Review your reports carefully to make sure you recognize all listed accounts and the balance and payment information matches your financial records. If there is anything on your credit report that you believe is inaccurate, you can file a dispute to correct it.\nIt is also a good practice to review your credit report from each of the credit reporting agencies at least once a year. Associating credit report checks with another event in your life—like the New Year holiday or your birthday—can help you remember. You can get a free credit report directly from Experian every 30 days and a free report every 12 months from each of the three national credit bureaus at AnnualCreditReport.com. (Through April 2021, you can get a free credit report each week from the three credit bureaus from AnnualCreditReport.com.)\nUnder the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act, you also qualify for additional free credit reports if you are denied credit, employment or insurance on the basis of your credit information. To take advantage of this, contact the company that denied you service and request the name and contact information of the credit bureau from which it obtained your information. Contact that bureau within 60 days using the information provided to obtain your free credit report. END