Free Website Offers a Look at Credit Reports-1

Students need good credit to get a good rate on student loans or to pay for necessary expenses. Students can now check their credit report to see just what is going on with their credit.
The site has three consumer reporting companies which are: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. These companies will allow people to check their credit report once every 12 months.
They can actually view their credit report for free," said Deborah Jacobberger, financial education counselor at the AAA Fair Credit Foundation.

"If they want to see their credit score, it costs $7-10."

The AAA Fair Credit Foundation is a non-profit organization that will help anyone with free financial education.

"Anyone can come here to ask for help," said Jacobberger. "We'll walk someone through a budget, [their] basic expenses, [their] debt and [help] them figure out how to pay it off the best way. We also counsel people on their credit."

Having a good credit report is really important when applying for future mortgage loans, car loans and/or applying for a credit card.

"Mortgage fraud is definitely high in Utah," said Jacobberger. "You have to be careful.

"It affects your day-to-day life [with inaccuracies on your credit report]."

Utah is ranked as the fourth largest state in the amount of debt per capita.

"Utah has a lot of bankruptcies," said Ann House, extension professor with Utah State University. "We have low income and an average to high-cost living. Our wages are very, very low."