Recently, I had reason to request a credit report. For those unaware, you are entitled to one free credit report per year through the web site AnnualCreditReport.com, a service created by the three nationwide consumer credit reporting companies: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.

It’s a good idea to read your report and make note of accounts you no longer use or accounts you aren’t familiar with. You should contact the creditors of the account you no longer use, as an excess of potential debt can lower your credit score.

Don’t be fooled by web sites offering “free credit reports”. Unless it is the site listed above that is endorsed by the credit bureaus, there is a chance you will get charged through fine-line items (ie, “By accepting this credit report, you are agreeing to subscribe to our credit monitoring service free for 30 days. If you do not cancel before that time, you will be charged $x per month.)

One more thing about credit… Are you sick of receiving credit card solicitations in the mail? You can opt-out unsolicited credit checks by calling 1-888-5OPT-OUT (1-888-567-8688) and providing the automated message with some information about yourself (but don’t take my word for it – do a Google search to confirm this is legit for yourself).