ONLINE CREDIT REPORTS

Online credit reports are easy to obtain and view. All the major bureaus and the federal web site that gives free reports allow online viewing of credit reports. The sites are secure and your data remains confidential.

WHO SELLS ONLINE CREDIT REPORTS

You can pay a small amount and view your credit report online at the three credit bureaus. The web site on annual credit report gives online viewing facilities. Some companies have monthly schemes that you can sign up for and receive a free online credit report. Some offers give free credit reports as part of a free trial that you must cancel before the term expires in order not to be billed for the subsequent period and still get a free credit report.

FREE ONLINE CREDIT REPORTS

While it makes great sense to view an online report – fast and quick access to verify important things, it is always better to hold a print copy, as it could be needed for many purposes later. Only the federal site annualcreditreport.com provides a really free online credit report. All the others either charge, or charge when you fail to cancel the offer before it expires.

ONLINE CREDIT REPORTS SECURITY

Before going online with personal data, make sure that the site is secure and displays a locked lock sign at the bottom of the browser. Also look out for the https – mark the ‘s’ at the end – which means the connection is secure. This is very important as the vital information could be sold to someone or misused.

GIFTING ONLINE CREDIT REPORTS

A credit report and other related financial services can also be given as a gift to someone. Some major bureaus have online gifting facilities at their web sites.

WHERE TO APPLY FOR ONLINE CREDIT REPORTS

Go to the federal site at annualcreditreport or log into the major bureau sites. It is easy to get things done online, but also beware of the related risks involved in such transactions, especially emails. Go for the mode you trust the most. Remove all cookies from the browser after visiting financial sites. Do not let the browser remember any username or passwords as this is easily taken out by malware.

ONLINE CREDIT REPORT: REPORTING ERRORS

If any error or misleading fact is reported, an immediate online alert can be made at the sites of the three major bureaus.