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Keeping an eye on your personal credit report and credit score is always important, but even more so when you are thinking about applying for a loan. Here are some good resources to put you in the best position prior to speaking with your loan officer or submitting a credit application:

Free Credit Reports – Consumers can review their personal credit reports weekly for free at www.annualcreditreport.com. First Federal Online Banking Customers also have access to credit reports and scores through our online banking and mobile app. Learn more about our Credit Sense feature at https://www.firstfed.com/resources/account-services/credit-sense.html.

Correcting Credit Report Errors – Learn how to file a dispute at https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/disputing-errors-your-credit-reports or https://www.annualcreditreport.com/filingADispute.action

Avoid Unwanted Solicitations – Consumers can opt-out of receiving these by visiting https://www.optoutprescreen.com/ or call 888-567-8688 (for mail solicitations) or www.donotcall.gov or call 888-382-1222 (for phone solicitations).  There are some exemptions to this process – companies that have a current relationship with you are exempt; as are certain non-profit organizations such as religious, political, or community-based non-profits seeking funding. To eliminate solicitations from these, it is best to contact each organization directly to be removed.

Avoid Credit Repair Dangers – Check out information regarding credit repair and debt relief scams from the Federal Trade Commission at https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/topics/consumer-finance/debt-relief-credit-repair-scams

Housing Counseling – If you need housing counseling, check here for HUD-certified counselors in your area - https://hudgov-answers.force.com/housingcounseling/s/?language=en_US

Credit File Security – If you need to place a fraud alert or add or remove a freeze or lock, visit these Credit Bureau sites. Remember to remove a freeze or lock before credit is pulled for a loan application.

• Equifax: https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/  
• Experian: https://www.experian.com/freeze/center.html
• Transunion: https://www.transunion.com/credit-freeze

Additional information is also available from the Federal Trade Commission at https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0497-credit-freeze-faqs

Learn about FICO^® Scores: www.myfico.com or www.ficoscore.com/education.

Learn about Vantage Scores: https://vantagescore.com/consumers/

Take the Credit Score Quiz: http://www.creditscorequiz.org/