credit reports Archives • Using Time Wisely

2013: First Credit Report Update

March 31, 2013 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Flickr (Dan Eriksson)

Though you have probably already requested your first credit report this year, I wanted to remind you in case it slipped your mind. Having placed a reminder on my calendar during the Planning for Success series, I requested our credit reports in February.

Staying proactive in reviewing our credit reports alerts us to any unusual activity. Protecting our accounts with protective passwords and credit limits, we hope to deter identity thieves from our accounts.

To check those accounts often, we request one credit report every four months. With one free credit report each year from each of the three credit bureaus, we can monitor our credit all year along without paying a monitoring service.

If you are following my recommended schedule for requesting your credit reports, then check the date on your previous year’s credit report before requesting a new report. Wait at least one full year from the processing of your last request. For example, I requested my TransUnion report on February 20, 2012, so I can request another this year for free anytime after February 20, 2013.

In using time wisely, I request our reports every 4 (or 5) months. During the first quarter of 2013, I requested Paul’s Experian report and my TransUnion report. When the reports arrived, I followed this plan:

1. Review for errors,

2. Challenge discrepancies,

3. Run a free Experian credit score for Paul,

4. Run a free TransUnion credit score for Tracy,

5. Replace last year’s reports with the new reports and credit scores in the first file slot of Box 1 of my important documents, and

6. Put file box away until June’s credit check.

By scheduling our credit report requests on my calendar, I stay on track while checking our reports. Though we have not had any unusual activity, I find reassurance in seeing the same information reported repeatedly. This process only takes a few minutes, but finding an error can save you money, energy, and time. Happy checking!

Question: Do you regularly check your credit reports?

2012: Third Credit Report Update

October 21, 2012 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

Unfortunately, identify theft is on the rise. As our family is a victim from the security breach of the South Carolina Department of Revenue, I cannot shout loud enough the importance of routinely checking your credit reports.

If you are following my recommended schedule for requesting your credit reports, then check the date on your previous year’s credit report.

Wait at least one full year from the processing of your last request for a free report. For example, I requested my Equifax report more than a year ago, so I can request another this year for free.

In using time wisely, I request our reports every 4 (or 5) months. This month, I requested Paul’s TransUnion report and my Equifax report. Though the request options include web site and mail, my preference is by phone. As the credit bureaus have been slammed with requests, I am still awaiting our reports.

But when the reports arrive, I will do the following:

1. Review for errors,

2. Challenge discrepancies,

3. Run a free TransUnion credit score for Paul,

4. Replace last year’s reports with these accurate reports with score in the first file slot of Box 1 of my important documents, and

5. Put file box away until February’s credit check

Running the free credit reports keeps you informed of your active accounts and alerts you to any unauthorized new accounts. To protect your identity, request your credit reports on a rotating schedule while using time wisely. Watching closely with you!

Question: Have you been a victim of identify theft?

2012: Second Credit Report Update

July 29, 2012 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Flickr (Dan Eriksson)

Thank you for a great week of What do you think? comments and opinions. I loved Shannon’s tip on air-drying her clothes, and Jen’s comment on trying a no electricity family night.

Thanks for reading Using Time Wisely and participating in the community of saving money, energy, and time.

With the Olympics in full swing, I know you are busy enjoying these special moments with your family. As you celebrate with these athletes, take a few moments to keep up your important documents file by requesting your second credit report of 2012.

If you are following my recommended schedule for requesting your credit reports, then check your previous year’s credit report. Wait at least one year since your last request to acquire your credit report for free.

In using time wisely, I request our reports every 4 (or 5) months. Oops! I got a little sidetracked this summer and requested our reports this past week. I requested Paul’s Equifax report and my Experian report.

Though the credit report request options include web site and mail, my preference is by phone. I already received Paul’s report on official Equifax letterhead, but mine has not arrived yet. When both reports arrive, I will do the following:

1. Review for errors,

2. Challenge discrepancies,

3. Run a free Experian credit score for Tracy,

4. Replace last year’s reports with these accurate reports with score in the first file slot of Box 1 of my important documents, and

5. Put file box away until October’s credit check.

Question: Which Olympic event is a must-see at your home?

Credit Report: Schedule

March 6, 2011 by Tracy

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!