10.01.2025 By Amy Miller, AFC®

Financial Planning Month: Why You Should Check Your Credit Regularly

October is Financial Planning Month and the perfect reminder for Savers like you to take a closer look at one of the most important tools in your financial toolkit……. your credit report.

October is Financial Planning Month and the perfect reminder for Savers like you to take a closer look at one of the most important tools in your financial toolkit……. your credit report.

Your credit report not only reflects your borrowing and payment history, but it also plays a big role in things like interest rates, loan approvals, renting an apartment, and even certain job opportunities. Staying on top of your credit is a simple but powerful way to protect your financial future.

Where to Start:

The only official site to access your free credit report is www.annualcreditreport.com. Through this site, you can request a report from each of the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. You’re entitled to one free report from each bureau every year, but right now, you can access them weekly at no cost.

Note:  Each bureau’s information can be different so it’s important to check all 3.  

What to Look For:

When reviewing your report, keep an eye out for:

  • Accuracy of personal information: Your name, address, and Social Security number should all be correct.
  • Open accounts: Confirm that all listed accounts actually belong to you.
  • Payment history: Make sure records accurately reflect your on-time payments.
  • Errors or signs of fraud: Look for accounts you don’t recognize or unusual activity.

If you do spot something that doesn’t look right, each bureau has a process for filing a dispute directly through their website.

Build the Habit:

Checking your credit doesn’t need to be a once-a-year event. October, Financial Planning Month, is the perfect time to set a quarterly reminder on your calendar to review your credit report. This way, you’ll catch errors sooner, monitor for potential identity theft, and stay more informed about your financial standing.

Being proactive with your credit is an important step in building long-term financial confidence.

Take a few minutes to pull your credit report, review it and set a reminder to check it again in 3 months, you will thank yourself later.

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