If you haven’t already gotten your free annual credit report, now is the time. Each person gets one free report per year thanks to the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act. Snag yours on AnnualCreditReport.com. (Note, this is the only site where you can truly get a free credit report.) You can also call 877-322-8228 to request a free report.

Don’t expect a free credit score, however. The three major credit tracking bureaus, Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian, will try to upsell you on that.  Stick to the report for now because it will tell you plenty about whether there are any mistakes.

Before you call or request your report through the above website, make sure you have your social security number handy. They will also ask you for a few past address and may ask a question that only you know the answer to, such as how much a particular bill was.

If you request your report over the phone, expect to receive it in about 15 days.

Once you get your report, watch this video about how to interpret it. I watched the 3:54-minute video and it is helpful and straightforward.

Thanks, Bargain Hubby!