Credit Score Articles

Free Credit Report Online - Your Credit Score Could Cost You

Tip! Compare the debt consolidation loan programs that each lender can offer. If you have a very poor, low credit score like 450, 480 or 500 - your loan will be a subprime debt consolidation loan.

With all those countless TV and radio commercials out there, it would be heard to imagine that you have not heard that you can go online and get your credit report for free. But you might wonder why on earth you should bother to do this if you have not gotten a letter from the IRS or been otherwise informed that you have some sort of problem. Well, that is a good question that I wondered about myself, but had not taken the time to find out the answer.

My wife however, is very different. She decided to take full advantage of getting a free online credit report and nearly fell over when she found out that someone had stolen her identity! Now, that is not the same thing as charging something to her credit card or trying to gain access her bank account. In the case of identity theft, they simply use your name, address, and social security number to make their purchase. In the case of my wife, the identity thief has a brand new cell phone plan that is registered in her name. And if the thief decides not to pay their bills, guess whose credit gets ruined!

Who would do a thing like this, you might wonder. Well, I am not sure, but I do know that there are tons of sleazy individuals in this world who prey on innocent people this way, every single day. And how did they get her personal information? That is what I'd like to know! Fortunately, my wife took advantage of the free credit report, and was able to stop the identity thief before he bought a whole bunch of other stuff in her name that he had no intention of paying for. Luckily, she was able to put an end to it by filing a fraud document.

So do not become a victim of identity theft when it's so easy to get your credit report free online. You can do it 24/7, and right now is not too soon. Just get on your computer and search for "free credit report" and you will find several websites to choose from. Hopefully, unlike my wife, you will find out that nobody has stolen your identity or been tampering with your credit score. But would you like to find out if they have?

Tip! Get debt consolidation loan quotes from these lenders. Be honest on your loan application with your credit score and other aspects of financial history (bankruptcy, chargeoffs, etc), if the application requests that information.

Michael Benifez discusses the world on finance for www.LifeinPalmCoast.com, reporting on finances, mortgage, debt and insurance topics in Palm Coast, Florida and Flagler county. His recent article on home mortgage refinancing in Palm Coast covers refinance options.