I’m pretty sure that many of you are not aware that it’s free to get your credit report once per year.

There are several websites that make it possible, or you can contact your credit reporting bureaus individually to request your report. Under federal law, you can get a free copy of your credit report once per year. Regardless of whether you believe your credit to be perfect or not, you may find that it is a good practice to obtain and look over your credit report at least once per year.

Why? First of all, there may be errors on your credit report, and looking is the only way you will ever find them. If a dispute must be made, it is better to do it now than to wait until you are trying to buy a home or a car and find yourself denied because of a credit error.

It is also a good idea to check your credit report and score simply to know where you stand at all times. Is your score high, or not? Are you paying your bills on time, or have you been reported as paying late on more than one occasion? There are many reasons to consider taking a look at your credit report, and not a single reason not to.

Your credit report is full of useful information. Look over who your creditors are, and what the status is on all of your loans, credit cards and other accounts. Make sure that all of your credit card companies are reporting your on-time payments, and keep your credit report from reflecting errors.If you have a decent grasp of your credit status and score at all times, you can more effectively plan for the future, and keep track of your finances in the present.

Simply jump online and look for a free copy of your credit report and score. You will certainly be glad that you did when you realize how useful it is to know where your credit stands.

To get your free annual credit report, go to www.annualcreditreport.com or call 877-322-8228.  Alternatively, you can complete the Annual Credit Report Request Form and mail it to: Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281.