Free Credit Reports, Sans Scam

October 9th, 2009

Do you think of your credit report as some ominous, inaccessible record the hallowed credit overlords keep on you? Well you’re only half-right. Sure they’re keeping tabs on you, but you can check up on those records yourself, often for free! Don’t get drawn into paying for some “credit analysis” scam when you don’t have to. In many countries the law dictates that you are entitled to request a copy of your own credit report, free of charge. Here’s in Canada I was happy to find the process entirely painless. Less than three minutes on a touchtone phone and I had a copy of my report in the mail.

Some links:
Canada: Industry Canada, Equifax
USA: Federal Trade Commission or Annual Credit Report
UK: Moneymadeclear
Australia: Office of the Privacy Commissioner