When should I begin looking at my credit report

[Panacea]

And which website to use? I filed Oct 27th, 341 was Dec 6th, and hopeful for discharge early Feb. I was tempted to sign up to start to check my credit reports, but was worried about which one to sign up for (security), and the cost of the site.

Any suggestions? And MERRY CHRISTMAS!

[chicagoannie]

Good question, Panacea - I will also watch for answers. I am hoping for mid-Feb discharge. I'd also like to know the best and least expensive way to check my credit reports and start fixing anything that needs attention!

[IBroke]

Well, I use a monitoring service from Experian ($14.95/month) that allows me daily access to my credit-report. The other two (TransUnion/Equifax) are monitored by myfico. I signed up for "scorewatch" (Equifax) and "quarterly monitoring" (TransUnion). In case you want to order a service from my fico, enter a coupon code before ordering. That applies to monthly services as well. If I'm not mistaken, I'm currently saving 20% on both myfico services.

Over all, I think that's a good package because you can also keep track of your "real" FICO-scores.

[ssmdem]

I asked the same question a while ago and didn't get much response, but I did find some answers on another forum. The two I saw recommended the most was the service offered by USAA at $12.95 a month and another service called My Privacy Watch which offers a joint account for $17.95 a month. Now, neither one of these would give you your actual FICO score - but would give you access to your credit reports from all three agencies, but all I'm looking for at the time is to make sure my information is being reported correctly, so this works for me. If you want your actual FICO score though, I wouldn't go with either of these. I haven't picked one yet, but I'm leaning towards My Privacy Watch since I can watch the reports of both me and my husband. I'm just waiting until closer to discharge to start the monitoring. No sense spending the money on it right now as far as I can tell. I've seen my credit reports at filing (UGH!) and fortunately (or unfortunately ) they're all correct.

[justbroke]

I have EXACTLY the same arrangement as IBroke. Trust me, we are of no relation and are just both "broke"! Anyhow, the daily monitoring and ability to pull the report from Experian is nice. I use MyFico to pull FICO scores when I need them, but that's not often (maybe once a quarter -- 3 months).

[IBroke]

I have EXACTLY the same arrangement as IBroke.

Ha, that tells me I must be doing at least SOMETHING right...

[keepsmiling]

Myfico has 25% off right now with coupon FICO25.

[Panacea]

Thanks all!!! So, should I bother beginning the 15 bucks a month now or wait till Feb when its all (hopefully) over?

[frogger]

The OP asked the question "when". IMO, you need to wait about 6 months after discharge before starting to clean things up. BK and credit reporting is a process that takes time.

[exitar]

6 months is when i'm going to check mine.

[HHM]

For post BK cleanup, you want to wait about 2-6 months after discharge. Generally, things will happen fairly quickly on your credit report within a month or 2 of filing, but nothing is "official" until you receive your discharge. So you want to wait for the dust to clear from your discharge.

As for credit monitoring service, my opinion is well know, they are a waste of money but to each his own. You can do anything you need to do with your credit report without daily or monthly monitoring. (but no need to dwell on that in this thread.