To improve your credit, you need to know what a credit report is.  As stated above, a credit report shows the history of your credit usage.  It consists of, when you open an account, how much you owe, how much you paid, if you paid on time, and collection accounts.  Your credit report also has information that identifies you, your public records, and inquiries from companies that viewed your credit report (file).  The three major credit reporting bureaus are Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.  Each credit bureau has a credit report and credit score on you.  

Once a year, federal law allows you to obtain a free Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion credit report online from AnnualCreditReport.Com or by calling           1-877-322-8228 (TTY: 1-800-821-7232) or by mail via Annual Credit Report Request Service, PO Box 10528, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281.  Due to financial problems caused by COVID-19, you can now get free credit reports every week until December 2023.  AnnualCreditReport.Com does not provide free credit scores, only free credit reports.   

It is important to frequently review your credit report for errors that can be disputed and corrected, which may increase your credit score.  All three credit bureaus, Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, allow you to dispute errors online or by mail.  Listed below are links to the dispute forms for the three credit bureaus:

- Equifax Dispute Form - File a Dispute on Your Equifax Credit Report | Equifax®

- Experian Dispute Form - Dispute Credit Report Information at Experian.com

- TransUnion Dispute Form - TransUnion Online Service Center | Online Freeze, Dispute, Fraud Alert, Credit Report, and Score

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