Keep a close eye on your credit

Reviewing your credit report every year is an important task. You can see how your credit score changes and how that affects your ability to borrow money at lower interest rates. Plus, you can see if there's any peculiar activity associated with you, which can be a sign of fraud and identity theft.

Your credit score is determined by the three nationwide credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion) and federal law allows you to obtain a free credit report once a year, every year. Here's how you can get yours:

• Go to AnnualCreditReport.com, the only source of a no-cost report as authorized by law, or
• Call 877.322.8228, or
• Download this form from the Federal Trade Commission and mail it to the following address:

Annual Credit Report Request Service
PO Box 105281
Atlanta, GA 30348-5281