How often do you check your credit report?

[saundyl]

I know you're supposed to check your credit report yearly...however how many people actually do? I know people who never do because theyre scared to see what it really is. I checked mine this past week...and the last time was about 2 years ago.

[momof5boys]

Never have done it....we always pay our bills/credit card statements etc on time so we just don't worry about it.

[Zonny]

I've never done it either. Here we can't get the report online, you have to request it by mail I think. But even if you do pay everything on time, etc., someone else could be using your credit and you'd never know.

[beckie.c]

I try to check mine yearly. For identity theft purposes I think its important to have a look, not just at the credit score, but at the list of accounts open as well as which companies have checked your credit score. I know it doesn't catch everything, but its a good place to start.

Unfortunatly, due to DH losing his wallet with SIN card recently () I check his credit profile every couple of months.

[saundyl]

I've never done it either. Here we can't get the report online, you have to request it by mail I think. But even if you do pay everything on time, etc., someone else could be using your credit and you'd never know.

I checked because i was a little worried about identity theft (especially since the govt of canada manages to loose a student loans hard drive this spring) Also I like to make sure that loans and things I've paid off ARE actually marked properly....or to see if someone has checked my credit without my permission...

I know i had "poor" credit a couple years ago so it was nice to see it had gone up since then with the repair efforts i have been making.

[saundyl]

I try to check mine yearly. For identity theft purposes I think its important to have a look, not just at the credit score, but at the list of accounts open as well as which companies have checked your credit score. I know it doesn't catch everything, but its a good place to start.

Unfortunatly, due to DH losing his wallet with SIN card recently () I check his credit profile every couple of months.

That must get expensive. I know you can request a paper copy once a year free...but beyond that dont they charge?

[ty & nessa's mom]

We pay to get it instantly online every year.

[tjthemanto]

That must get expensive. I know you can request a paper copy once a year free...but beyond that dont they charge?

Yes they charge you after the one time free thing.

Its better to check with both Equifax and Trans Union.

Trans Union is the worst , they always seem to make mistakes .. Equifax is usually more accurate

[saundyl]

Yes they charge you after the one time free thing.

Its better to check with both Equifax and Trans Union.

Trans Union is the worst , they always seem to make mistakes .. Equifax is usually more accurate

I'm going to have to do the trans union one still.

[sweet sparrow]

There's something I never really understood with Equifax. They have my "current" address as the one I had seven years ago, but they mail to my address now, which is listed as a former address.

I've actually requested my credit report several times a year, just to check if certain products have been cancelled or updated and I've never been charged. I think the most I've requested is at least four or five times per year? I'd have to check on that.

[lizzie bargain]

I have never checked it.

[freefreefree]

not often

[saundyl]

There's something I never really understood with Equifax. They have my "current" address as the one I had seven years ago, but they mail to my address now, which is listed as a former address.

I've actually requested my credit report several times a year, just to check if certain products have been cancelled or updated and I've never been charged. I think the most I've requested is at least four or five times per year? I'd have to check on that.

That seems a tad confusing. Do you request via mail to get it free?

[sweet sparrow]

That seems a tad confusing. Do you request via mail to get it free?

No, I call the toll-free number, enter my SIN, and they send it by post.

[kanewtz]

Doesn't everytime you run a credit check negatively effect your credit score?

That being said, when we applied for a mortgage...it was checked...never since.