When was the last time you ordered a credit report?

When was the last time you ordered a credit report? That long ago? Enough said. You can go to annualcreditreport.com and order one for free. You can even view it online and print it out within minutes!

Generally, the better your credit, the less you’ll pay to borrow money to purchase a house or car. Better credit also could be your ticket to a lower rate on your credit card. But did you know that the quality of your credit can play a role in what you’ll pay for insurance? Read more here about how your credit report plays a role in your ‘insurance score,’ which is used, among other factors such as your driving record, to help determine what you pay for auto insurance.

Experts recommend that you order your credit report at least once each year. Each of the nationwide credit reporting companies — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — are required to furnish you with a free copy of your credit report once every 12 months. To order, visit annualcreditreport.com, or call 1-877-322-8228. You may order reports from each of the three credit reporting companies on the same day, or you can space out your requests throughout the year. One option, for example, would be to order your credit report from a different bureau every four months.

Once you have your credit report in hand, you’ll want to comb through your report for any errors. Studies show many consumers have some type of error! Here’s a great guide from the Federal Trade Commission designed to help you get any errors fixed and avoid any credit repair scams.