Consumers can help stop scammers and strengthen their own financial future by checking their credit report. By law, everybody can obtain three free credit reports each year at AnnualCreditReport.com. It is important to check your report regularly to make sure it is accurate and up to date. Scammers often desire to open credit in your name. By regularly monitoring your credit report, you can prevent scammers from using your credit profile to their benefit. If you find any errors on your report, you can have those errors removed by contacting the credit reporting agency (TransUnion, Experian, or Equifax). 

A new study by Consumer Reports found that about 25% of study participants couldn’t access their credit report  due to security question challenges or because they later received error messages. 44% found errors on their report including accounts they did not own and payments that were wrongly reported as late or missed. Extension provides  information and resources on how to dispute and fix any errors that you may have found in your credit report. This report shows that it is important for consumers to regularly check their report.

Due to impacts on financial security resulting from the pandemic in early 2020, the 3 credit reporting agencies made free weekly credit checks available to all. This still applies today. “We are really fortunate to have the opportunity to continue to access our free credit reports weekly right now,” says Bralich, Fond du Lac County Human Development and Relationships Educator.. “Checking your report is a great way to protect yourself by quickly spotting any evidence of fraud, identity theft, or inaccurate information.”   For more information on how to build and maintain your credit, Extension provides multiple informational articles to learn more.