Really Free Credit Reports

In these days of rampant identity theft, we all need to keep a close eye on our credit reports. Here's a way to do it efficiently. There are three major reporting agencies, Transunion, Equifax, and Experian. You are entitled to one free credit report from each agency per year. Therefore, if you space them properly, you can check your credit every four months. It will require making reminders for yourself, on a calendar or otherwise, but it's well worth the effort. For example, you could check Transunion each January, Equifax each May, and Experian each September, or on whatever schedule you choose.

You have to be careful to go to the correct website, because there are some copycat websites out there. The correct one is www.annualcreditreport.com. It will walk you through the steps. Be sure to check for both husband and wife if you are married.

I can testify that it's smart to keep an eye on your credit -- more than once they have mixed up our credit with one of our sons. And there are a lot of worse things that could be happening without you knowing it.

Pardon the pun, but it pays to be smart about your money!