If you’re like many Americans, you rely on your credit score and credit report to manage your financial life each month. Credit scores can affect your ability to borrow money or take out credit

cards. But did you know you can get access to your credit report for free? That’s right – the federal government requires the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) to provide consumers with one free credit report annually.

Using your free annual credit report is a great way to stay on top of your credit and finances. Here are some of the positive benefits of taking advantage of free credit reports annually:

1. Stay informed. The only way to know if your credit report has errors that affect your credit score is to review it regularly. Your free annual credit report will show if there have been any recent changes or fraudulent activity on your account.

2. Take control. By reviewing your credit report, you can spot any potential problems in your credit report before they become bigger issues. For example, you may be able to dispute inaccurate or outdated information, or even get help for any delinquent accounts.

3. Save money. Making small changes to