What is Your Credit Score?
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What is a good Credit Score?
Good or above average credit scores usually range between 650 to 750.

Why do I need to check my Credit Score?
A good credit score is your passport to competitive interest rates for mortgages, cars, credit card offers, job offers, insurance premiums and more. A strong score is worth money because it saves you excess costs, so don't ignore it!

You Will Receive:

Transunion, Equifax & Experian Credit Reports
Credit Monitoring & Alerts*
Your Reports Delivered Online in Seconds**

AlertSite is a leading provider of web site monitoring and performance management solutions that help businesses ensure optimum web experiences for their customers.

* Credit Diagnosis provides you with the tools you need to access and monitor your financial/credit information through the program's credit reporting and monitoring benefits. Credit Diagnosis and its benefits providers are not credit repair services providers and do not receive fees for such services, nor are they credit clinics, credit repair or credit service organizations or businesses, as defined by federal and state law. Credit services are provided by TransUnion Interactive, Inc.

** After verification of your identity, your report is available for Secure Online Delivery in seconds.

3-in-1 Merged Credit Report

Our credit monitoring service includes a free 3-in-1 Credit Report with information from all 3 national credit bureaus - TransUnion, Equifax and Experian. The report includes your complete, unabridged credit information plus all 3 credit scores.

We call it a merged report because the 3-bureau information is printed side-by-side in an easy to read format that makes it simple to compare reports and spot any errors or inconsistencies.

Since credit bureaus do not share their data with each other, it is important to check your credit and scores at all 3 bureaus to get an accurate picture of your credit records. Most lenders review all 3 credit reports before deciding whether to extend you credit, and they use the average of your scores as a guide.

The 3-in-1 Credit Report is valuable because it lets you see exactly what your lender does. You can use this information to negotiate better rates on credit cards and loans to save money. If your credit is damaged, you'll like the free credit score analysis which provides excellent tips on how to raise your score.

Once you login and receive your credit report online, you should print a copy and review it carefully, circling any unfamiliar information. Signs of fraud and identity theft include strange addresses and accounts you do not recognize. Follow up on these and any other items by contacting the creditor directly at the telephone number or address listed on the report.

Your 3-in-1 Merged Credit Report includes:

Personal Information: An overview of your current and previous addresses, current and past employers and spouse's name.
Account Summary: Detailed information about your open and closed credit accounts including mortgages, car loans, credit cards, store charges and other loans. This section lists a 7-year payment history, current balance, limits, historic high balances, and date the account was opened. It also includes whether the account is up to date, and current status such as paid, settled or sent to collections. This section is typically the longest.
Public Records - Lists foreclosures, bankruptcies, liens, divorce settlements and legal judgments against you. In general the less information that is listed here, the better, as these items tend to be viewed negatively by lenders.
Inquiries - Lists names of all institutions and/or individuals who have requested your credit report in the last two years. You may see places where you have applied for credit, prospective employers or landlords, and current creditors who regularly check your report to make sure nothing has changed and you can still meet your obligations.

In addition to your free 3-in-1 Credit Report, you will also receive:

3 Credit Scores - These scores are very important as they determine whether or not you will receive the credit you seek. Many lenders do not scour your credit report; they simply look at your credit score to decide.
Personalized Score Analysis - Along with your 3-in-1 report you will receive personal tips based on your scores to help you understand and improve your score.
Credit Monitoring Service - Around the clock monitoring of your credit ensures that all changes to your reports will be reported to you within 24-hours, giving you real-time warnings of any fraud or derogatory notations to your file.

Credit Tips

Why should I check my credit?

Whenever you apply for a loan, a job, or an apartment, your credit comes under scrutiny. Your credit history and credit score are used by lenders to assess the amount of risk you represent. Lower credit scores or adverse credit history will result in higher interest rates that can cost you thousands of dollars in the long run. That is why improving your credit is so important.

Checking your credit report is the first step. Sometimes a small mistake can linger on your credit report and continue costing you money for years. For example, if you change addresses and a bill does not get forwarded to you, or if a vendor makes a mistake in processing a payment, it may remain on your record as delinquent. According to a US Public Interest Group Report, as many as 70% of credit reports have errors on them.

What is credit monitoring?

Credit monitoring is a service in which an authorized agency notifies you whenever an update is made to your credit report, such as the opening or closing of an account, a change in address, or the processing of a loan payment. It's a great way to keep track of your credit standing. It's also one of the only ways to catch identity theft early, before any serious damage is done. Identity theft is the fastest-growing crime nationwide, affecting an estimated 10 million Americans last year alone.

How can I improve my credit score?

Reduce your debt-to-credit ratio. Avoid leaving your account balances near the maximum credit limit, even if you can do so and still remain well within your budget. Credit bureaus interpret this as a sign that you are borrowing almost as much as you can handle, which they assume makes you a higher risk. A good rule of thumb is to keep your balances below 50% of your credit limit.
Correct errors in your report. These are surprisingly common. A utility company or lender could mistakenly report one of your payments as late, which could adversely affect your credit rating until you correct it. Be advised that correcting an error can take as long as 90 days, so it helps to monitor your credit report and fix mistakes early.
Make all your payments on time. This is particularly important in the months before you plan to apply for a loan or job when an employer might check your credit report. Why? A recent late payment will affect your score more than, say, a late payment from several years ago.
Consider leaving old accounts open, even if you don't use them much anymore. The length of your credit history - how long you've been borrowing - is a factor in your credit score, so it pays to keep these accounts alive. Also, closing an account will reduce the total amount you can borrow, which increases your debt-to-credit ratio.
Pay off debt rather than shuffling it between accounts. Unless you are severely behind in debt and are taking steps to resolve it, closing some of your accounts will adversely affect your debt-to-credit ratio.

How can I protect myself from identity theft?

Shred or tear up the "pre-approved" credit card offers you get in the mail. A common tactic among identity thieves is to raid trash sites and fill out these offers in your name.
Don't print your social security number on your driver's license or personal checks, and don't give it out unless it's absolutely necessary.
Monitor your credit by obtaining your credit report, preferably a consolidated 3-in-1 report with information from all 3 bureaus.
Consider enrolling in a credit monitoring service that alerts you of possible suspicious activity.

Building Your Credit History

Even if you don't think your credit history is good, or if you don't think you have any at all, consider checking your credit report to find out just where you stand. You might be surprised. If you notice negative information on your report, confirm that that information is accurate. Most derogatory information, such as a loan payment that was 180 days late, must remain on your credit report for at least 7 years. However, if a negative record is not accurate, be sure to send a letter of dispute to the credit bureau that reported the error. See the section below on disputing errors. The next step in building or rebuilding your credit history is to get a credit card. You may have to start with a secured credit card, in which a savings account is used as collateral for your credit. Also consider special-interest cards that are oriented to your purchasing habits, such as a gas card or department store credit card. No matter what card you decide to get, be sure to read the fine print and watch for high APR rates, setup fees, annual fees, and short grace periods. Be sure to use your new card responsibly and make all your payments on time.

Disputing Errors on Your Credit Report

When you check your credit report or account statements from financial institutions and notice suspicious or inaccurate information, you should first try to contact the creditor or company responsible for the inaccuracy. Their contact information will appear in your credit report. Minor errors can often be corrected over the phone. If this is unsuccessful, or you wish to dispute the information with the credit bureau that has reported it, it must be done in writing, either online or by mail. Send them a brief letter describing the error, and include a copy of your credit report with the error(s) highlighted. Also include any documentation you have that proves your position (for example, that you have paid an account that is marked on your report as delinquent). Be sure to include your full name, date of birth, social security number, mailing address, the name and of the creditor you have a dispute with, and your reason(s) for the dispute. Send the letter by certified mail and keep a copy for your records. By law, the credit bureaus are required to investigate your claim. However, they will not necessarily find that the item is an error.

FAQs

How can I reach customer service?

Customer Service is available toll-free Monday through Friday at
1-800-379-5036.

What should I watch for in my credit report?

In addition to confirming your basic information, such as your name, address, and social security number, also watch for errors and signs of fraud:

New accounts that you do not recall opening
Derogatory information that is not up to date, such as loan payment history (note that bankruptcies stay on your credit file for several years)
Derogatory information that is incorrect, including missed payments, collection actions, eviction, or repossessions
Excessive inquiries into your file

Why is it important to check my credit report?

It's wise to check your credit report frequently for signs of fraud. If someone obtains your social security number, only a few additional pieces of information are necessary to perpetrate fraud in your name. Common types of identity theft include fraudulent bank accounts, credit cards, utilities, and loans. According to the FTC, victims of identity theft spend an average of 175 hours and $800 to clear their names. Early detection is the key to avoid suffering long-term financial consequences.

How long does it take for a closed account to be removed from my credit file?

The file will be updated in 30 to 60 days, but public records such as court actions and collections remain for seven years. Note that it may take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months to correct an error in your report.

Why is my credit score so important?

Your credit score is used by lenders to represent your overall level credit risk. It is essentially a numerical summary of the information in your credit report. The higher your score, the better your credit, and the more likely lenders will be to give you a favorable interest rate on a loan. Each of the three major credit bureaus has its own method for determining a credit score, but they are essentially equivalent.

How high or low can my credit score be?

Credit scores range from 350 to 850 - the higher your score, the more favorable interest rates you will receive on a loan.

Will checking my credit report adversely affect my credit?

Requesting your own credit report will not affect your credit rating. On the other hand, inquiries such as mortgage, loan and credit card applications will affect your score if several of these inquiries occur over a relatively short time frame. Some studies have indicated that this suggests you may be a higher credit risk.