What you should know: How can I check my credit report?

Identity theft protection: If for no other reason, you should know what's on your credit report to protect yourself against identity theft.

The U.S. Government recognizes not only that it's important that you stay on top of your credit report, but that it's your right as a consumer, too -- so by law, the credit reporting agencies must give you a free copy of your credit report at least once a year.

Bear in mind that the credit reporting agencies make money by selling your credit information to you and to others -- so when you go to get your free credit report, expect them to try to sell you on other products and services.

Your credit score, for example, is one of the products that they are not required to give to you for free.

Here's what your credit report will contain:

• Any public record information about you such as bankruptcies or foreclosures
• Any collection items -- bills that have been referred to collection agencies
• Any "trade lines" (credit accounts) which have a derogatory history or status -- late payments, for example
• Any trade lines which do not have a derogatory history or status -- includes information on when you opened (and closed) accounts, maximum credit limit, current balance and payment history
• Information on who has pulled your credit in the past 12 months
• Information on addresses you have used
• Your employment information
• "Also known as" information -- other names which you have used for yourself
• Addresses of all companies reporting on your credit report, and telephone numbers for some

Here's what your credit report won't contain, for free:

• Your credit score
• What you need to do in order to bring up your credit score
• What to do if you find something on your credit report that is not accurate

To get your free credit report, go to:

http://www.annualcreditreport.com

From this website you will be directed to each of the three credit reporting agencies' websites (TransUnion, Equifax and Experian), each of which will do everything that they can to rope you into spending money with them. If you only want your credit report, "just say no" to giving them any money and you'll get the data mentioned above. If you'd like, you can pay for additional services like credit report monitoring or your credit score itself.

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