Did you know that you are entitled to a FREE CREDIT REPORT if you live in the United States and are in one of the following situations?

1) you were denied credit, insurance or a job; or
2) you are on welfare or unemployed and looking for work; or
3) your report is inaccurate due to fraud

Holden Lewis at BankRate.com has a great article showing you how to obtain a free credit report, and even if you don't qualify for a free one, how to get the best deal based on which state you live in.  You can read the full article here.

Here is a quick summary from that article.

"You might be able to get your credit report free or pay $9 or something in between.

The cost depends on why you're asking for your credit report, where you live, and whether you order by phone, online or mail.

If a company denies you credit, insurance or a job because of something in your credit report, that company has to tell you which credit bureau provided the information. You are entitled to a free credit report from that bureau within 60 days of being turned down.

You can request your free credit report by phone or mail, and just must mention that you were denied credit, insurance or a job. The credit bureau will check to see if it indeed provided information to the creditor, insurance company or employer that turned you down. Because bureaus are not notified when you are denied, they have to take your word for it.

You also are entitled to a free credit report if you are on welfare, are unemployed and plan to look for a job soon, or your credit report is inaccurate due to fraud -- in other words, because someone stole your identity.

Six states entitle residents to one free credit report every year from each of the three major credit bureaus.

In other states, things get a little more complicated, so read on.

In most states (see table below), you have to pay $9. A fancier version, which includes your credit score and explanations on how it was obtained, cost a few dollars more.

A few states, including California, have capped the amount less than that as long as you order by phone or by mail.

But, if you order a report online, you generally have to pay $9, no matter where you live and what your circumstances."

The first step to fixing your credit is knowing where you stand with your credit.  So be sure to get a copy and begin to develp a game plan.  This will help you greatly in improving your credit score!