Credit Repair – How To Get Your Credit Reports Painlessly
Credit Repair - It Takes Three to Tango
Get all three of your credit reports. There are a variety of ways to do this. In fact, as any one who has started a credit repair project knows, there are about a thousand ways to get your credit reports on the Internet. Everyone has his or her own favorite, so this is somewhat subjective, but you may want to try it my way.
It’s Free, but it’s Hard
Stay away from annualcreditreport.com. Annualcreditreport.com is the site set up by the three credit bureaus under the mandate of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) for the purpose of providing free credit reports, one from each bureau, one time per 12-month period. Okay it’s free. But darn, it’s a pain in the butt. The site itself is a hub that directs you to each bureau in turn, so you will be making your effort in triplicate. Did I say effort?
Millions are stopped at the Security Blockade
Yes, folks, you will probably be sweating by the time you are done. And there is a pretty good chance you will not get all three reports. What? Right-o. You will have to face a series of security questions that may block you from your credit reports and delay your credit repair project until the obstructing bureau mails you a pass code. Credit repair is tough enough without the frustration that this site can impose. There is a better way.
Credit Repair Bucks Well Spent
Your credit repair effort is really important. Keep everything in perspective. If you have the fortitude, are comfortable on the computer, and feel up to the task, go ahead and get your reports from Annualcreditreport.com. Otherwise, if you are like me, and want to get the show on the road, just go to Truecredit.com and part with $14.95 for a one time tri-merged report.
Minimize the Credit Repair Pain
The process is quick the security is appropriate but manageable, and the report is easy to look at. And that may make a big difference as you get your credit repair job underway. But there is a trick. On the Truecredit.com site you need to find the light grey text that says, “You can also get your three bureau report, without the free scores”.
The Case of the Hidden Link
Just click on the underlined phrase, “without the free scores”. This line does not conform to web standards for a link and is almost hidden. You need to look hard. Oh, and once at the order page please deactivate the two pre-checked boxes that attempt to sell you nonsensical “Debt Analysis” and “Home and Auto Insurance Scores”.
My Credit Repair Money
I’ll let you draw your own conclusions about the accessibility of the link, but as far as I know this is the cheapest way to get a great tri-merged report without signing up for a monthly monitoring service, identity theft protection, and other costly extras that the credit bureaus want to sell. There is nothing particularly wrong with any of these extra features, so it’s up to you, but for my credit repair money, I like the simple path.
A Few Good Tips
Once you decide to take this path here are three pointers. You should jot these down. Your credit repair project will benefit. Here you go. One, make a note of your user name and password; you may want to log back in later. Two, look for the “printable copy” link. If you are going to print your reports this option is much better than a screen print. And lastly, notice the extra-info links offered in each account section. This info may be handy, so don’t overlook it.
The Credit Repair Lifeline
If all of this is daunting just call a credit repair professional. He will guide you through the process of getting your reports. And of course, once your reports are in hand a credit repair expert will provide all of the guidance you need to make sense out of the entire task. This is an important business! So if you find yourself intimidated, just call a pro. One way or the other, take action and you will succeed!
Ian Webber is a financial consultant and expert in consumer law and credit repair. Ian is a graduate of the London School of Economics and The University of Chicago where he earned his LLM, Master of Laws. Ian consults with one of the leading online credit repair services and is currently based in Florida.
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