Credit reports are something all of us have access to, although we just might not realize it. Accessing your credit report is simple, quick, and free. Just take the following steps:

Use the Big Three: The best place to get a legitimate credit report is from one of three places: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Other sites may say that they offer free credit reports, but these “free” reports are often attached to a handful of stipulations. Most require personal information, others might force you to sign up for a credit card and some might sign you up for monthly payments to “monitor” your credit. The best way to avoid getting taken for a ride by a fake site is simple: go directly to the source, the big three bureaus.

When You Can, Get a Report From All Three: Technically, you can get a report from any of the three credit bureaus. However, it’s usually best to get one from each bureau. The reports can differ among bureaus. One bureau might have you listed with a credit score of 650, another might have you listed at 700. Getting all three can give you the best idea of where you stand.

Just Ask: The Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act requires that everyone have access to a free credit report on an annual basis. You can get one by telephone (877-322-8228), Internet (www.annualcreditreport.com), or mail (P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281). In order to get one, you will be asked to provide your name, address, social security number, and date of birth.

Know When To Ask: In addition to your annual report, you are also entitled to a free credit report at any time if you have been denied credit (a request must be made within 60 days), you are unemployed and applying for a job within 60 days of your request, you receive public assistance (public assistance checks are often used for verification), you believe that your credit report may contain errors, or you either suspect or know for certain that you are a victim of identity theft. Under this circumstance, it’s important to notify the credit bureaus immediately so that they can put your file on a fraud alert.

Get Additional Copies: Additional copies, though not free, are cheap. Credit reports typically cost ten dollars per copy and take about ten business days to reach your mailbox.

An annual credit report is a good thing to get in the habit of reviewing. By doing this, you learn the importance of credit and are able to check for errors, errors that can lower your score - and affect your life - drastically.