Get copies of your credit report from the top 3 Credit Reporting Agencies, Experian, Trans Union, and Equifax.  They all track and report on slightly different information.  Best to know what all of them are reporting.

Visit www.freecreditreport.com

Once you receive your credit report, review it carefully and make a note of any accounts you have a question about.  Cancel any open accounts that are inactive or that you no longer need.  Call the companies directly and ask that your account be closed and you be sent a letter by mail confirming the action.

Then, to speed up the process, write a Letter of Dispute to each of the 3 Credit Reporting Agencies requesting they update your credit report.  The Credit Reporting Agencies must reply to your letter within 30 days.  If they make any changes to your report they must also provide you with a new, updated credit report at no cost.  (This way you’ll get copies of the other 2 agencies’ reports at no charge.)

Get your credit report cleaned up and improve your credit rating!

This is part of a complete step-by-step military retirement checklist. I’ll be posting weekly action steps here, so please subscribe over in the right-hand column so you’re sure to get each update.