Q.
How do I get my credit score?
A.
Three nationwide credit agencies (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) are required by law to provide free credit histories to anyone who asks. Once every 12 months, you can order your report -- which will have your score -- at AnnualCreditReport.com.
After finding out your score, make sure everything on the report is accurate. Do you recognize each account listed? Have you closed accounts that are still listed as open? Is there negative account information listed that you believe is inaccurate? Any disputes you have should be documented and sent to both the creditor and reporting agencies, and be sure to make copies for your own records.
[Nest Note] If you go to MyFico.com and pay about $11, you can get your credit score, FICO score (which lenders use) and play around with how you can improve both scores. For example, you can actually say, what will happen if I drop this old Mastercard?
Nestpert: Jean Chatzky, a money coach, the financial editor for the Today show, and the author of five books
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