When was the last time you saw a copy of your credit report? If it’s been more than two years, then it’s probably time to take another look.

It's important that you understand the information in your credit report, regardless of your financial situation. This information directly impacts your ability to obtain a credit card, buy a car or home, rent an apartment, or even get a new job. Two of the best reasons for reviewing your credit report today are to make sure your credit report is accurate and protect yourself from fraud or identity theft.

If you've ever applied for a credit card, a personal loan, or insurance, there's a file about you. This file contains information on where you work and live, how you pay your bills, and whether you've been sued, arrested, or filed for bankruptcy. Companies that gather and sell this information are called Consumer Reporting Agencies, more commonly known as credit bureaus. The information credit bureaus sell about you to creditors, employers, insurers, and other businesses are called consumer reports or credit reports. The three major consumer-reporting agencies in the United States are Equifax, Experian, and Trans Union.

There are many websites that can give you access to your credit report for a fee, but you are entitled by law to a free credit report every twelve months by each of the three main credit bureaus. Annual Credit Report.com is the only authorized website for free credit reports per the Federal Trade Commission. This means that you can obtain three free credit reports each year. Ideally, you would pull a report from a different credit reporting agency every four months in order to stay on top of your credit, and to spot if any discrepancies have shown up to catch fraud quickly.

Through GreenPath Financial Wellness, Goldenwest’s financial education and counseling partner, you can get extra help. GreenPath can provide you a copy of your credit report for a nominal fee, and once you receive the credit report, a GreenPath counselor is available to review the report with you. They can help you understand how to read the report, show you how to dispute inaccurate information, and discuss credit scoring. If you feel you’d like extra help understanding and controlling your credit report, visit GreenPath’s website for more information on their credit report review services.