Missouri Saves Month is good time to check your credit score

FULTON, Mo. – The Missouri Saves Month observed in February is a good time for people to check their credit report, according to University of Missouri Extension family financial education specialist Vivian Mason.

Every 12 months you can receive a free copy of your credit report from each of the three national consumer credit reporting agencies, Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.

You can request reports from all three agencies at the same time or stagger requests over the year, Mason said. You should be prepared to give your name, address, Social Security number, date of birth, and previous address if you have moved in the past two years.

You can request credit reports online at www.annualcreditreport.com. If you order online, you should be able to access your report immediately after answering questions to give your identity.

You can also order a credit report by calling a toll-free number, 877-322-8228. Your credit report will be processed and mailed to you within 15 days.

A printable order form is available at www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/resources/forms/requestformfinal.pdf. Mail the completed form to Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281. Your request should be processed within 15 days and mailed to you.

For more information about Missouri Saves Month, go to www.missourifamilies.org/mosaves.