Questions:

• Where do credit reports and credit data come from?
• How can I get a copy of my credit report?
• How long can negative information stay in my credit report?
• What should I do if I find mistakes in my credit report?
• What can I do to rebuild my credit?
• I've been told that I need to use credit to rebuild my credit. Is this true?
• How many credit cards should I carry?

Answer:

How can I get a copy of my credit report?

You can get a free copy of your report once a year, from each of the three major credit bureaus. To order your free report, go to www.annualcreditreport.com or call 877-322-8228.

You are entitled to an additional free copy of your credit report each year -- even if you've already received your annual free report as described above -- if:

• you've been denied credit because of information in your credit report
• you're unemployed and looking for work
• you receive public assistance
• you believe your file contains errors due to fraud or identity theft, or
• you've been denied employment (or another adverse employment decision has been made) based in whole or in part on information contained in the report.

In a few states, you can get additional reports even if you don't meet one of the above conditions. For more information, see Nolo's article How to Clean Up Your Credit Report.