Request your credit report from three of the major credit reporting agencies to make sure the information is correct. Each creditor will list debts with one to all three credit reporting agencies. This is why it's a good idea to check all three. If you have been denied credit in the last 60 days, unemployed and plan to seek employment within 60 days, on welfare, or your report is inaccurate due to fraud, you are entitled to a free copy of your credit report. Otherwise, you can purchase copies from the credit reporting agencies.

In order to get a copy of your credit report, you must provide the following in writing to each credit reporting agency:

• your full name
• current address
• previous address
• social security number
• birthday
• full signature
• full name hand printed

The top three credit reporting agencies are:

• Experian (http://www.experian.com)
• Trans Union (http://www.transunion.com)
• Equifax (http://www.equifax.com)

Incorrect Information on Your Credit Report - If you find there is incorrect information on your credit report, you may request, in writing, an investigation that will be made within 30 days. Contact the creditor, in writing, if you are unable to resolve the dispute. The creditor must report your dispute to the credit reporting agency.

Negative Information on Your Credit Report - Correct information cannot be removed from your credit report. If you find negative information in your credit report that is correct, you can pay any balances so that creditors can update your file, wait seven years for negative information to be taken off (except for bankruptcies, which may remain for 10 years), or or write a brief statement of explanation to be included in future reports.

Bankruptcy stays on your credit report for up to ten years. With a bankruptcy, it is difficult to obtain credit, such as consumer or mortgage loans.