Credit Repair Tips You Cannot Live Without

When it comes to credit repair tips, one of the most important things that I can share with you is based on the Fair Credit Reporting Act or otherwise known as (FCRA). One of the best things that this act does for you, the nationwide consumer is to provide you with a free copy of your credit report once every 12 months.

The FCRA requires by law the accuracy and privacy of all the files in the nation's consumer reporting companies. For your protection, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) acts as a consumer protection agency and enforces the FCRA in respect with the consumer reporting companies.

Why is it so important?

Well think for a moment. What type of information is contained on your credit report? It tells your address, how you pay your bills, if you filed for bankruptcy, and even if you've ever been sued or arrested. These nationwide consumer reporting companies sell the information on your report to creditors, insurance companies, employers and other types of businesses that use credit to evaluate you as a person.

So here are a few details about your rights under the FCRA. My goal is to help you understand and exercise your rights according to this act. After all you're the customer any way right? Don't you want your creditors to get an accurate picture of you? Of course you do!

The Fair Credit Reporting Act was originally enacted in 1971. So what are your rights according to the act? You can get a free credit report. So be sure to exercise your right to get one yearly.

Be Careful in Getting Your Free Credit Report

There are many websites that offer a free credit report. Be sure to read the fine print carefully. Once you are signed up for the free service, after your trial period, you will be billed on your credit card. If you do not cancel before the trial period is over, you will be agreeing to allow them to charge your credit card for the monthly monitoring service. Some of you many really want this so you can monitor your credit. But if you do not, be sure to cancel before the trial period is up.

So with that said, the key to watch for is the fact if you have to give credit card information when signing up, it's not really a "Free Credit Report" like the one I described to you above.

You will find that some of these "imposters" even use the terms "free credit report" in their domain names. Others you may find have domain names that misspell annualcreditreport.com hoping you have a typo when entering the domain in your address bar.

A few of these "imposter" sites will direct you to another site without you realizing it to collect your information so they can try and sell you something. So I just want you to be aware of what's out there my dear friend. The Internet is good for us in getting information, however we must be alert.

In conclusion for credit repair tips, make sure to get your free credit report yearly. Also, be aware of what you are signing up for so you are not surprised later.

Jeffrey Ragan has several years of experience helping people reach their goals and wants to help you learn more credit repair tips and other helpful information on their website, First-Time-Home-Buyer-Solutions.com.