Another credit report

Getting Personal

Question: I have been requesting credit reports in tandem from one of the three agencies every fourth month. In this way, I receive a free report from each agency once a year. Would I jeopardize the free report privilege if my wife requested separate credit reports as well? Robert, Raleigh, NC

Answer: No, what you're thinking about doing is fine. It's a good idea for each of you to ask for your own free credit reports. (And to reiterate, the only place to apply for your free annual credit reports is from annualcreditreport.com. Jingles and ads notwithstanding, it's the official site to help consumers get their free credit report.)

Of course, much of the financial information will be the same, but not all of it. The way the credit reporting bureaus work, married couples don't share a credit report. You each get your own report. But the activity from your joint accounts will show up inn each.

I like what you're doing. You're getting a free report from one of the three agencies--Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion--every four months. Your wife can take a similar approach. But she could pick a different monthly pattern. For instance, let's say your reports arrive in January, May, and September. Well, she could choose to get hers in March, June, and November. This way you'll essentially have a running credit report tally for review covering much of the year.

11/09/09 by Chris Farrell

Permalink

Comments (1)

Greg Kayser | Respond
November 9, 2009 9:28 PM PT

I'm am so pleased to read of your attention to this life altering matter. Knowing what "they" know is seminal. Knowing your credit "worthiness" is they key to your financial life.

I pay for more than one credible service which allows me to check not only my credit reports but de facto, all of my corresponding credit scores, which varies by agency. They also send me a daily "alert" of any and all activity relative to my credit reports.

Having a credit score in the "excellent" range is something I am very proud of and worked hard to earn, however, it's maliable, especially in this instant, global Internet age. Iadvise all who will listen to get these reports, free andotherwise, in order to have constant access top the keys of your car.

No one should possess my "identity" but me.

Search

Looking for guidance on your personal finances? I'm taking your questions and answering one here each day. Just click on the "Ask a question" link to tell me what's on your mind.

Chris Farrell Marketplace Money personal finance guru

Ask a question

Subscribe to RSS

Hot Topic

Latest Posts

November 2009
S	M	T	W	T	F	S
1	2	3	4	5	6	7
8	9	10	11	12	13	14
15	16	17	18	19	20	21
22	23	24	25	26	27	28
29	30

Latest Comments

TIPS: mutual fund or bonds (1): TFB wrote: You don't necessarily have to pay a brokerage commission or fee. Fidelity and Schwab don't charge an... [read]
The $6,500 tax credit (4): Scott Kraz wrote: Nope. After November 6 is a direct quote from several sites ( <a href="http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/a... [read]; Anne R wrote: Same here. We closed on 11-2-09. Wondering the same thing about the signing date.... [read]
Another credit report (1): Greg Kayser wrote: I'm am so pleased to read of your attention to this life altering matter. Knowing what "they" know i... [read]
Low risk and high yield? (1): bruce mauser wrote: I’m surprised Chris Farrell didn’t mention credit unions. Check the internet some like Advantis are ... [read]
A dollar collapse (3): Scott Kraz wrote: I fall somewhere on the middle of expecting the Fed to clean up the mess and total economic collapse... [read]; Scott Kraz wrote: I fall somewhere on the middle of expecting the Fed to clean up the mess and total economic collapse... [read]

Marketplace

Getting Personal