Goodbye to consumers getting only two free credit reports a year. The three national credit reporting agencies — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — have changed their mind and are extending their offer.
Now you can get a free report at each of the agencies once a week for the rest of your life. You know – ad infinitum, forever and a day, until the cows come home.
Every twelve months, all three credit reporting agencies are required by law to provide everyone with a free credit report. The three agencies announced in 2020 that they would temporarily offer free reports every week after the COVID-19 pandemic upset the finances of millions of people. It has been extended twice and is now permanent.
Why this is important
Most people are content with knowing their credit score. They figure if it’s a decent enough number, their credit is in good shape. But these reports are riddled with mistakes. Over the last 12 months, consumers have filed 270,475 complaints against Experian to the CFPB; 309,391 against TransUnion and 298,159 against Equifax. That's 878,025 reasons why you should check yours.
“Mistakes, like accounts or bankruptcies that aren’t yours, can hurt your credit, increase how much you’ll have to pay to borrow money, and even derail your chances of getting a loan, insurance, a rental home, or a job,” reminds the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) Colleen Tressler, in the Division of Consumer and Business Education.
“Mistakes can result from errors by businesses that report credit information to credit reporting agencies. They also can be a sign of identity theft. The sooner you spot a mistake, the sooner you can dispute the error.”
Photo Credit: Consumer Affairs News Department Images
Posted: 2023-10-18 10:53:24
