Where to get a credit check?

It may be best to get reports directly from the big 3. I previously got an all-three-in-one report from a third party for a discount price, but when I wanted to get an investigation into an item on my Experian report, Experian wouldn't do anything unless I could tell them which item it was on their own report. Initiating an investigation is simpler this way as well.

The Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) allows you to obtain a copy of your consumer credit report from any consumer credit reporting agency for a reasonable charge. The FCRA also states that individuals are entitled to receive a disclosure directly from the consumer credit reporting agency free of charge under the following circumstances:You have been denied credit, insurance or employment in the past 60 days as a result of your report;You certify in writing that you are unemployed and intend to apply for employment in the 60-day period beginning on the day you make the certification;You are a recipient of public welfare assistance;You have reason to believe that your file at the agency contains inaccurate information due to fraud; orIf you are a resident of Colorado, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, or Vermont, you may receive a free copy of your consumer credit report once each year, and if you are a resident of Georgia, twice each year.

In some states (like here in GA) you are entitled to a free credit report yearly. There are other instances as well; http://www.pirg.org/consumer/credit/#free

I definitely recommend going for reports from the "big three" mentioned above. All of the "free" credit reports I've ever seen give you nothing but raw data; no context, no explanations of terms, no suggestions for what to do with the numbers you are given. The reports you pay for (around $12-15 each, I think) give you detailed explanations of everything you see, including recommendations for how to correct mistakes. You should probably get reports from all three, because they may differ slightly--especially if there's an error--but if you can't afford it or want to see what the big deal is get one that gives you your "http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/credit-scoring/20031104a1.asp?print=on" as well. You can read about credit reports at http://www.bankrate.com/; search the site for "credit report" for a list of all their articles.

By 2005 you should be able to get credit reports for free. The Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act, passed by Congress and signed into law by Bush in Dec. 2003, gives you the right to a free credit report every year from each of the three major credit bureaus. However, the provisions of the FACT Act are not self-executing, and the FTC has to write the regulations about exactly how this will be accomplished. They are supposed to go into effect by the end of this year.

Be aware that pulling your credit report will lower your credit rating a little. If you're really worried about protecting your credit, I recommend http://www.everydaywealth.com - for $20 a month they provide monthly credit reports which don't lower your credit rating, they provide insurance against identity theft and other credit-related hassles, and if something happens to your credit rating they'll help you to correct it. Plus, if you're in the market for certain kinds of loans, you can "loan shop" online without having it hurt your credit rating.

If you pull your credit report yourself, it doesn't hurt your credit score. Just if somebody else pulls it. See http://www.fool.com/ccc/check/check04.htm for an excellent writeup.

Doesn't say it doesn't hurt your credit score, just that it doesn't stay on the record indefinitely: A soft inquiry will show up when you request a copy of your credit report, for instance. Soft inquiries do not stay on your credit report. When I was applying for a mortgage, I was warned against asking for a credit report without good reason (I had no cause to think I had bad credit), since it would affect my credit (however minutely and temporarily). But I Am Not a Credit Expert.

I've been pleased with http://www.truecredit.com -- they offer all 3 reports plus an evaluation of your shorthand "credit score." I have nothing to compare it to, but I can say that they deliver what they advertise, providing useful info and nicely readable reports.