Free credit reports?

**CingularDuality** · 11-05-2004, 07:38 AM

Anyone used freecreditreport.com? Or does anyone have a better place to go for a free credit report?

I recently found out that someone in Arizona used my social security number this year. I happened to be in Arizona when it was used, but I also have a SSN that was issued in AZ. Could be coincidence, but I doubt it. Either way, I've got some good law enforcement friends in Phoenix that are on standby to unleash the hounds of hell on the guy using my SSN, but I wanted to get my credit report first, just to see what's been done to my credit.

Any advice welcome. I was in the "it can't happen to me" category until a few days ago...

**USN_Squid** · 11-05-2004, 09:47 AM

Yeah, I've used it twice before. It's not really free as you'll see, but you can cancel the credit monitoring service after you get your report. I don't remember if you have to specify that you want a "merged" report or not, but make sure that's what you get. That will have info from all three reporting bureaus as opposed to just one.

**=DdogG=** · 11-05-2004, 07:35 PM

you need a valid cc and you can only do it once a year or every three years or something.....

**CingularDuality** · 11-05-2004, 07:59 PM

I ended up going through Experian which was a similar offer...

**USN_Squid** · 11-05-2004, 11:41 PM

Experian is just one of the three credit reporting bureaus. You may not be seeing the whole picture if you don't get the merged three way report. Not all merchants report to all three agencies, so if you only pull experian you may not catch all the damage done.

**CingularDuality** · 11-06-2004, 12:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by USN_Squid

Experian is just one of the three credit reporting bureaus. You may not be seeing the whole picture if you don't get the merged three way report. Not all merchants report to all three agencies, so if you only pull experian you may not catch all the damage done.

Yeah, a three-bureau report costs $35, though... I'm gonna wait until I see what Experian has before I shell out the bucks for the complete report. I just need enough info to get an investigation started. If the Experian report is enough for that, then I might be able to get the full report for free in the process of the investigation.

**USN_Squid** · 11-06-2004, 01:28 AM

I see said the blind man.

**Wolfie** · 11-13-2004, 02:49 PM

I would recommend using a service that alerts whenever a new account gets opened, not one that just gives you an occasional credit report for free. I also recommend checking your credit at all 3 credit reporting companies at least once a year if not more (I do it at least twice a year). These things do cost money but sometimes it is alot better to spend 30 dollars a year than to have someone get ahold of your credit information and ruin your credit and cost you tons of money to get it fixed.

**CingularDuality** · 11-13-2004, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wolfie

I would recommend using a service that alerts whenever a new account gets opened, not one that just gives you an occasional credit report for free. I also recommend checking your credit at all 3 credit reporting companies at least once a year if not more (I do it at least twice a year). These things do cost money but sometimes it is alot better to spend 30 dollars a year than to have someone get ahold of your credit information and ruin your credit and cost you tons of money to get it fixed.

Well, the thing is, I've already done a good job of ruining my credit rating on my own. See, there was this young Lance Corporal in the Marines that found out that he could get just about any credit card he wanted. Department stores, electronics stores, Visa, MC, Discover... This young LCpl had nice clothes, a nice home theater system and always had beer in his fridge. 2 years and $17,000 later, he realizes that he had been a bit stupid. When the minimum monthly payments add up to over $1300 and you're only making $2100 a month and rent is $800 a month, it doesn't leave much left over for food for your family. Many, many slow payments and nonpayments ensued...

Anyway, my credit is just now starting to look OK again. Not good enough that I'm going to spend money on a credit monitering service, but hopefully good enough to buy a house next spring. I just want to clear things up by then. Once I own a home, everything's going to change. I think...

11-05-2004, 07:38 AM	#1 (permalink)
CingularDuality Join Date: May 2003 Location: Dallas/Ft. Worth area of Texas, USA Age: 33 Posts: 16,806	Free credit reports? Anyone used freecreditreport.com? Or does anyone have a better place to go for a free credit report? I recently found out that someone in Arizona used my social security number this year. I happened to be in Arizona when it was used, but I also have a SSN that was issued in AZ. Could be coincidence, but I doubt it. Either way, I've got some good law enforcement friends in Phoenix that are on standby to unleash the hounds of hell on the guy using my SSN, but I wanted to get my credit report first, just to see what's been done to my credit. Any advice welcome. I was in the "it can't happen to me" category until a few days ago... __________________ Become a supporting member! -- Shop at the Tactical Market! Take the world's smallest political quiz! "I was touched by His Noodly Appendage." TacticalGamer TX LAN/BBQ Veteran:

11-05-2004, 09:47 AM	#2 (permalink)
USN_Squid Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Denver Age: 38 Posts: 3,132	Re: Free credit reports? Yeah, I've used it twice before. It's not really free as you'll see, but you can cancel the credit monitoring service after you get your report. I don't remember if you have to specify that you want a "merged" report or not, but make sure that's what you get. That will have info from all three reporting bureaus as opposed to just one. __________________ New to TG? Start here!

11-05-2004, 07:35 PM	#3 (permalink)
=DdogG= Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Ennis, TX Age: 31 Posts: 1,692	Re: Free credit reports? you need a valid cc and you can only do it once a year or every three years or something..... __________________ Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former. -Albert Einstein The two most common elements in the universe are Hydrogen and stupidity. -Harlan Ellison If all else fails: "rm -rf /"

11-05-2004, 07:59 PM	#4 (permalink)
CingularDuality Join Date: May 2003 Location: Dallas/Ft. Worth area of Texas, USA Age: 33 Posts: 16,806	Re: Free credit reports? I ended up going through Experian which was a similar offer... __________________ Become a supporting member! -- Shop at the Tactical Market! Take the world's smallest political quiz! "I was touched by His Noodly Appendage." TacticalGamer TX LAN/BBQ Veteran:

11-05-2004, 11:41 PM	#5 (permalink)
USN_Squid Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Denver Age: 38 Posts: 3,132	Re: Free credit reports? Experian is just one of the three credit reporting bureaus. You may not be seeing the whole picture if you don't get the merged three way report. Not all merchants report to all three agencies, so if you only pull experian you may not catch all the damage done. __________________ New to TG? Start here!

11-06-2004, 01:28 AM	#7 (permalink)
USN_Squid Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Denver Age: 38 Posts: 3,132	Re: Free credit reports? I see said the blind man. __________________ New to TG? Start here!

11-13-2004, 02:49 PM	#8 (permalink)
Wolfie Join Date: May 2003 Location: Michigan Age: 33 Posts: 1,405	Re: Free credit reports? I would recommend using a service that alerts whenever a new account gets opened, not one that just gives you an occasional credit report for free. I also recommend checking your credit at all 3 credit reporting companies at least once a year if not more (I do it at least twice a year). These things do cost money but sometimes it is alot better to spend 30 dollars a year than to have someone get ahold of your credit information and ruin your credit and cost you tons of money to get it fixed.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
free booster pack out NOW...	Magnum50	Red Orchestra - General Discussion	1	07-28-2006 03:03 AM
Free music!	9 v	General Discussion	3	10-12-2005 09:21 PM
Free Linux that wont mess up your computer.	Black_V!per	Hardware & Software Discussion	27	05-23-2005 12:58 PM
Has anyones tryed get gifts for free?	Sniper	General Discussion	4	01-23-2005 02:47 PM

Sponsored links

Sponsored links

Sponsored links