Credit report help..

I am on Annual credit report.com and i want to check my credit score. I have never done this before so i do not know how this will effect my score? I know it says free and that I can check it every 12 months. Should I check all 3 at once or space them out 1 every 4 months?

Need advice please..

If i do only one what one should i do first?

Experian, Equifax or Transunion??

Thanks

Re: Credit report help..

I do not know if you can space it out. However I do know this:

1. checking your own credit once a year - or even more - will not affect your credit. I don't know if it ever does, since it will show that YOU are the one checking it.

2. These free reports do NOT give you your credit SCORE. Only your report. If you want to get the score, you have to pay $7 for it (for each co.).

Re: Credit report help..

Thank you...

By checking your score, will it hurt it much?

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You can definitely space them out. Many experts recommend doing this. I space mine out. That way, you get a good idea of what's going on every 4 months, instead of the whole picture once a year.

As far as I know, they are all pretty much the same, so I don't think the order matters. If you can't decide, just go alphabetical....

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I think I heard somewhere that checking the score lowers it by 5-7 points? Not much. I am going to check mine and DH's soon since we hope to buy a home this year.

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Re: Credit report help..

Posted by Jonsgirl04

Posted by GoldenRod

Posted by Jonsgirl04

Thank you...

By checking your score, will it hurt it much?

http://credit.about.com/b/2008/09/15/do-your-own-inquiries-check-your-credit-report.htm

You might have heard that your credit score is hurt whenever an inquiry is placed on your credit report - that is, when someone checks your credit. The good news is, that doesn't include you. When you check your credit report, it's called a soft inquiry. Your inquiry doesn't get added to your credit report and it doesn't hurt your credit score.

There are numerous sources that say the same thing.

Thank you!!
I just checked experian. I had to put in a dispute on one a medical bill. So glad I checked.

Then i went to try the other 2 and said they could not identify me?? SO very weird?? I would have to do it thru mail if I want them?

Re: Credit report help..

There are many reasons they can't identify you.

I have a fraud alert on all of mine b/c a coworkers (10 yrs ago) stole my identity and I cannot open ANY accounts online or order my credit report.

If your address isn't exact, name change, anything will stop it.

Re: Credit report help..

ok, maybe the other 2 arent updated with my name change. Thank you everyone! I want to check my score next but iam going to pay down some of my credit card first!!