GETTING STARTED
Credit reports and military service
This tool will help you get, review, improve, and protect your
credit history.
As a servicemember, having a strong credit history means having greater
opportunities during your military career. Financial readiness involves requesting and
reviewing your credit reports, taking steps to improve your credit including disputing
errors on your credit reports, and protecting your credit history.
Negative information in your credit reports may keep you from getting promotions,
higher security clearances, or special duty assignments.
What to do
•
Enroll in free electronic credit monitoring services. Equifax, Experian, and
TransUnion—are providing free electronic credit monitoring services to active duty
servicemembers and members of the National Guard.
• Get free copies of your credit reports. You can get them on the internet, by
telephone, or by mail. If you get your reports on the internet, be sure you’re
accessing them from a safe and secure device and location.
• Review your credit reports. Read through each credit report carefully, using the
checklist as a guide for what errors to look for.
• Improve your credit reports. This can include disputing errors you find in your
credit reports. If you find any mistakes on your credit reports, you should dispute
them. Use the “Disputing errors on your credit reports” tool in the toolkit for even
more information. You may also opt for a strategy or combination of strategies to
improve your credit reports that work for you.
• Protect your credit history. There is a range of specific things you can do to
limit access to your credit reports. This can help you prevent identity theft and
financial fraud.
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