An eye-opening experience

While going over our finances this weekend, I decided it was time to look at our credit reports. As of September of last year, everyone in the US became entitled to one free credit report per year, from each of the three major rating agencies (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion). I went to annualcreditreport.com, typed in some basic information, and within minutes was printing off three credit reports for myself and three for John. What I found was nothing short of eye-opening. Accounts that had been closed for years appeared to still be open, companies with whom we no longer do business (and with whom we haven't done business for quite some time) were still making credit-affecting inquiries, and more. It was alarming! So, I highly recommend that everyone take advantage of their free credit reports. Make sure you get one from each of the three big reporting agencies, because each report is slightly different.