Credit report

To answer my own Q, in part, here's a federal government website where you can download a form and sned it in for a free report.

http://answers.usa.gov/cgi-bin/gsa_ict.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=67

I've used Experian with good results. If you have a choice of free or fee, you will get better interpretation if you pay. Be prepared to print. Often you can't retreive your information.

Of course, what you found may be better than all the others.

The gov says there are 4 major credit reporting companies. I think I visited one. You get your free report, but need to give a credit card number to do so. It's not for this transaction, you see, but for the monthly or periodic reports they'll be sending later. Tricksy. Must I learn the ways of liars and swindlers in order to be financially saavy?

You can get your free annual reports through this site without many hassels.

https://www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/index.jsp

(This is the site that the 3 major credit reporting companies all refer you to!)

Thank you Roger and fishin!

(hope you're feeling better Roger!)

It's best not to use one of them .com credit reporting services! They claim the service is free but, believe me, they are making money! Use a government site or hire a private credit analyst!

The government site refers you to the site I linked.

I went to equifax.

No credit card needed,
and it is only once a year
you can get your credit report.

Usually.. ( well last year for me) after I filed with equifax, they gave me the information and the option of getting a report from 3 other companies for free.

In fact it is about time for me to do it again..
thanks for the reminder.