Is it true that getting a free credit report is a bad idea because it can hurt your credit score?

Public Comments

1. it will not hurt if you do it once a year
2. no.. No... and No... Whoever keeps saying that is does is dead wrong. Perpahs at some point in time it did, but these days it does not. i have had that verfied by several people who work in the industry. And anyway, if you look at your credit report it shows a breakdown of who has inquired or pulled your credit--- and it only shows actual lenders. i have looked at my credit many times this year and my score has NOT gone down as a result. When a lender pulls your credit, it supposedly dings your score 2-4 pts each time. However, those pts can be earned back very quickly. So as long as you are not opening like 15 credit card applications a year.. you will not ever notice it at all.
3. Hi! I typically recommend people to pull their reports at least four times/year. Why? identity theft and junk debt buyers. It has been my experience the bureaus are much easier to wprk with in doing thier job in removing mistakes..if you take responsibility and do your part in keeping an eye on things. Pay? Nope. I don't. You shouldn't either. Anytime you are denied credit..and they tell you which report you used..you are entitld to a free report. There many other ways as well.. learn your rights...and use them. The bad guys are counting on *you* not doing that. :)
4. no!!! not if u do it