Check your credit score5 of 7Even with all the online resources at their disposal, 20-somethings don't check their credit report or credit score nearly enough, experts say.The Western Union survey showed that 44 percent of Americans ages 18 to 34 have never seen their credit score, while 60 percent have not seen it in the past year."Just being late on one bill can hang around on your credit score for seven years. It takes a long time to get past that," Kramer says.You can check your credit report with the three credit bureaus -- Experian, TransUnion and Equifax -- for free once a year, and it's a good idea to make it an annual habit to check for any erroneous claims."Also understand that your credit report is not your credit score," Blayney says.The credit bureaus review your credit report to come up separately with your overall credit score. While obtaining the report is free, checking your credit score isn't.Beware of TV ads promoting websites where you can obtain your credit report for free, as they usually try to charge you for some other service, Kramer says. Related Articles:Paying down debt calculatorFree credit reports a reality4 smart ways to tame debt2010 money-saving tipsRelated Links:Why debt management?What debt to pay firstSilly borrowing behaviorsThe simple art of budgeting advertisement
Even with all the online resources at their disposal, 20-somethings don't check their credit report or credit score nearly enough, experts say.
The Western Union survey showed that 44 percent of Americans ages 18 to 34 have never seen their credit score, while 60 percent have not seen it in the past year.
"Just being late on one bill can hang around on your credit score for seven years. It takes a long time to get past that," Kramer says.
You can check your credit report with the three credit bureaus -- Experian, TransUnion and Equifax -- for free once a year, and it's a good idea to make it an annual habit to check for any erroneous claims.
"Also understand that your credit report is not your credit score," Blayney says.
The credit bureaus review your credit report to come up separately with your overall credit score. While obtaining the report is free, checking your credit score isn't.
Beware of TV ads promoting websites where you can obtain your credit report for free, as they usually try to charge you for some other service, Kramer says.
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