Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images
Last Sunday’s post covered the “how” I receive our free credit reports. Today, I will share “when” I request the reports.
I use the telephone option to request our reports. During that call, I am given the option to order one, two, or all three of my credit reports. I choose to only request one report for my husband and a different report for myself. (If you are requesting for yourself, then just follow the schedule for Paul.)
Every four months, I repeat the requests with different reports. At the end of the year, I will have requested a report from each of the 3 credit bureaus for Paul and myself for a total of 6 reports: 2 Experian, 2 Equifax, and 2 TransUnion. My schedule is as follows:
FEBRUARY
- Paul – Experian
- Tracy – TransUnion
JUNE
- Paul – Equifax
- Tracy – Experian
OCTOBER
- Paul – TransUnion
- Tracy – Equifax
On my calendar I have noted the date that I need to request our credit reports. Since you can request one report per year, I make sure that the date I choose to request is PAST the date the current report was prepared.
If you were to follow my schedule, then you would have a March, July, and November schedule. Before you request the first one, I would check to see if you have any credit reports. If you don’t find any, then I would just start with this schedule. If you find one or more, then look at the date prepared. If it is more than a year old, then I would start over with this schedule. But if you find that you did request your reports last year, then start after the date those reports were prepared. You don’t want to be charged for your reports when you can get them for free!
Next week, I will share how I get our credit scores for free!
I discovered your site a while back and have really enjoyed it! Thank you so much for all the time you put into it. I saw your comment on Money Saving Mom about organizing important documents and like your system.
I have a question. I sent for credit reports from two places for my husband and I and never received the one I sent to for myself. Any suggestions for the best way to handle that situation?
Thank your for your time.
Barbara, welcome! I’m so glad you are here and finding the information helpful.
Regarding your credit report, I had this situation occur last year. I requested both Paul’s and my credit reports. I got his, but mine never made it. I contacted the credit bureau directly to see if they received the initial request.
Experian – 800.509.8495
Equifax – 866.238.6559
TransUnion – 800.916.8800
In my situation, they never received the request. Because I waited so long to contact them (my fault), I just skipped that credit report for the year. Now, there was no unusual activity which is why I chose to stay our on our schedule and just skip that one.
I have since learned that this might happen, so I keep the reminder on my calendar to request our credit reports. Once I request them, then I make another note 2 weeks later to check that the credit reports arrived. Sometimes the communication between the annual credit report and the individual credit bureaus fail. I would follow up to be sure.
If they sent it and you didn’t receive it, then I would alert the local police department. We have had mail theft in our neighborhood, and I would not think twice about letting the police know I was missing sensitive information. This just alerts them in case another homeowner reports the same.
Hope this helps. I appreciate your comment. If you have other questions, suggestions, or comments, then please keep commenting. I’m glad to have you here.